JACKSON, Wyo. — Trail crews with the Advocates for Multiple-use of Public Lands (AMPL) have been working hard this summer to clear and improve many miles of trail in the Bridger-Teton and Caribou-Targhee National Forests.

In Wyoming, AMPL is responsible for maintaining the non-motorized trails at Mosquito Creek, Horsetail Trail, and in the Gros Ventre range. In southeast Idaho, the group maintains motorized and non-motorized trails in the Pallisades and Big Holes.

Between the two states, AMPL has cut 215 fallen trees over more than 60 miles of trail and brushed over 40 miles of trail.

Here’s what AMPL has been up to:

Mosquito Creek
AMPL has hired a professional trail builder to operate a mini-ex on the original trail, Crankshaft. The crew is also using hand tools to dig new two new trails in the area, Arm Pump and Gear Down.

Non-motorized trails in the Palisades
AMPL’s hard working sawyers headed into the backcountry of the Palisades starting in late June as the snow melted. They cleared the North Fork of Fall Creek to the Divide Trail, Divide Trail to Mosquito Pass, the top of Mosquito Pass to the top of Mail Cabin, the Cody Mountain loop off of the Divide Trail and the Mosquito Creek Trail. 

The Gros Ventres — Horsetail Trail
On June 28, the Bridger-Teton National Forest allowed AMPL’s crew, staff and board members to clear downed trees prior to Horsetail Trail’s opening on July 1. Crews cut 100 trees that had fallen across the trail. AMPL is currently working to replace the bridge that crosses Horsetail Creek, which has become severely eroded.

Southeast Idaho
This spring and early summer, AMPL’s Idaho based crew worked hard to clear downed trees off many of the trails on the Teton Valley side of the Big Hole Mountains. They also cleared five trails in the Palisades and led a collaborative trail day in Red Creek.

AMPL is partnering with several trail-focused organizations, including the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation and the Caribou-Targhee National Forest to construct five new bridges in Rainey Creek, just outside Swan Valley, Idaho. Volunteers are needed for installation on August 24 and 25, as well as September 21 and 22. Head to teamampl.org to sign up!

AMPL is excited to be only halfway through the trail work season and to have so much accomplished. Please get out and enjoy public lands responsibly!