Trail Upgrades Create Motor Vehicle Access

Outdoor enthusiasts are helping the U.S. Forest Service build a new trail for motorized vehicles around the Gospel Hump Wilderness area beginning in October.

The cooperative effort will improve an 8.5-mile segment of the Idaho Centennial Trail.

Volunteers from the Twin Rivers Back Country Horsemen, high Mountain Trail Machine Association and Treasure Valley Trail Machine Association are helping to improve the trail from the Salmon River at the Wind River bridge north to Florence.

The section of trail is part of Centennial Trail “West,” which provides motorized access around wilderness areas. However, part of the trail passes through the wilderness, which is off-limits to motorized vehicles.

The Forest Service surveyed the boundary in 1991 and decided to relocate one mile of trail, reconstruct two miles of existing trail and improve nearly three miles. The agency estimates that the improvements will be complete in July 1998.

The work is being funded by the volunteers, the Forest Service and a grant from the Idaho Parks and Recreation off-highway vehicle program.

, DataTimes