Forest Service clears trails during Yaak Week

From left Katie and Kellie Lundin at border monument located at end of #56 Caribou Mtn Trail.

Trail crew at Mount Henry Lookout-from left Ben Bernall, Zack McDougall, Jeremy Helmrick, Gage Tallmadge and Nathan Olds

by Brennen Rupp Reporter
| August 11, 2015 8:40 AM

Trail crew at Mount Henry Lookout-from left Ben Bernall, Zack McDougall, Jeremy Helmrick, Gage Tallmadge and Nathan Olds

The Kootenai National Forest-Three Rivers Ranger District recently completed Yaak Week. It’s a week that the Three Rivers Ranger District dedicates to clearing the trails up in the Yaak.

“Three Rivers Ranger District has been conducting Yaak Week for several years,” Dave Thorstenson, the recreation manager for the Three Rivers Ranger District, said. “The purpose of Yaak Week is to clear the far and away Yaak Trails.”

Thorstenson said it’s a good team bonding experience for his crew.

“We combine our recreation crew and trail crew for the week,” he said. “We set up camp at the Upper Ford Work Center. We have twin sisters, Kellie and Katie Lundin that are part of our recreation crew and they help us out. It’s nice for them to get to work with us, instead of just patrolling the campgrounds. It gives them something different to do. It’s a group camaraderie week. My colleague, Ben Bernall and I took turns cooking dinner for the crew. I’m definitely a better cook by overwhelming vote. We got up early and we worked late.”

Thorstenson said it’s a lot of hard work hiking and clearing the trails, but it’s still a fun week for him and his crew.

“The main thing was getting out there and working on those far out trails,” he said. “The travel up and back is a long way from the office. That’s why we camp out. It’s hard work, but it’s a fun week.”

On the first day the crew cleared the Vinal Creek and Mount Henry Lookout trails. Mount Henry Lookout is one of the longest running lookouts in the Three Rivers Ranger District.

The second day the crew cleared Purcell Summit and Caribou Mountain trails. The third day the crew cleared Pink Mountain and Lost Horse Lookouts, along with the Wood Mountain Trail. On the final day the crew cleared Sheepherder Mountain Trial.

“We cleared 35 miles of trailhead altogether,” Thorstenson said. “They are long hikes and make for four long days. But, it’s important to spend time on those trails and knock them out. It’s important to spend that week clearing those trails up there.”