Saving trails one turnpike at a time — this August, PNT-1 built a new 100-foot long turnpike to protect the headwaters of Myers Creek on the eastern flank of Mt Bonaparte.
This project was part of a larger restoration effort managed by PNTA Regional Coordinator, Kristin Ackerman in partnership with the Colville National Forest.
“In the aftermath of the Spur-Walker Fire, bare soil combined with heavy snow melts caused substantial erosion on Mount Bonaparte,” said Kristin. “Th...ree significant landslides sent hefty flows of earth careening down stream, cutting miles-long swaths through any boulders, trees, buildings and roads in their paths, starting with the PNT at the crown of the mountain.
“In 2024, the roots of a new forest have stabilized the mountain enough to allow us to get serious about tackling restoration. On the east side of the mountain, the Pipsissewa Trail was badly damaged by washouts near the trailhead at Bonaparte Lake. A temporary workaround is flagged for PNT hikers, and we are currently waiting for approval to proceed. The upper part of the trail has largely been restored and brushed by PNTA crews. The Southside Trail has had much of its tread reset this year, and nearly 100’ of turnpike built to protect the headwaters of Myers Creek.
“On the long and scenic stretch of PNT across Bonaparte’s south face— Fourth of July Ridge Trail— we cut nearly 1000’ of new trail through rocky terrain for provide a reroute around the landslide at Lightning Spring, and we've begun the long process of resetting the rest of the disappearing tread to spec. As I write this synopsis, two PNTA work-based learning crews are currently razing a pair of dilapidated trail bridges, then constructing replacements from raw materials they harvest on site.
“If we continue to match this year’s efforts, then we should be able to complete a tread restoration project on the Fourth of July Ridge Trail from end-to-end within another year or two. The great tread reset would wrap up just in time for us to begin what could be a decades-long dance with the woody brush and saplings that pioneer the early stages of forest regeneration, to say nothing of the dead standing-ghost trees that will keep our saws busy for the foreseeable future.
“Whether we’re simply reopening a corridor through the woods each year, or knuckling down to restore trails in the wake of natural disasters, maintaining our piece of the National Trail System is no mere project or gig with an end date on the horizon. Trail stewardship is a perennial vocation that requires ongoing care and commitment from a community of professionals and volunteers alike. Thank you for walking this path with the PNTA: Forest Reeves, Agnes Koury, Olivia Euvrard, Serena Murdoch, and Isabelle Johnsen.”
Follow along with our trail crews’ work across the PNT at www.pnt.org/2024-Field-Season
