An Atypical Year
Seth J, Trail Crew Lead, 283 Lost Ridge and 373 North Fork of the Clearwater
My name is Seth, and I’m the lead for the GBCA trail crew based in Pierce ID for this season. Going into the summer, the crew had a variety of different trails projects planned, such as replacing turnpikes and puncheons, as well as repairing bridges, drains and digging tread. Unfortunately, due to the severity of blowdown from the winter storm in December 2025, most of the trail crew’s efforts this year have been to simply cut out and open trails rather than be able to make structural improvements.
Cutting trees on trail 373, CLW NF
Foreground to background: Thomas, Dacotah, Evelyn, and Addi simultaneously cut trees on trail 373 North Fork of the Clearwater, Clear Water National Forest
Thomas operates a griphoist to pull a root wad off the trail on 283 Lost Ridge, Clearwater National Forest.
Over the course of three hitches, 6/17/26-6/24/26, 7/1/26-7/8/26, and 7/15/26-7/22/26, the crew cleared just over 8 miles on two different trails, 283 Lost Ridge, and 373 North Fork of the Clearwater. In a normal year, this mileage of clearing would be a typical accomplishment for one or two days of a hitch, but typical years do not have 400+ trees and dozens of root wads to remove in just 8 miles.
Before of root wad, trail 283, CLW NF
Logan stands near root wad of tree that has fallen and ripped out the trail. 283 Lost Ridge, Clearwater National Forest
Luckily, the trail crew has been fortunate to have access to the correct tools for the job, and we were able to spend our second hitch, 7/1/26-7/8/26, using rigging equipment and a griphoist to remove and repair root wads that would have otherwise made sections impassible.
After picture of root wad on 283, CLW NF
Joelle crosses the repaired tread after the root wad has been removed on 283 Lost Ridge, Clearwater National Forest
Although the amount of storm damage has caused us to adjust our plans and goals for the season, it has been an incredible opportunity to work on our skills as sawyers, as well as to build new skills using rigging equipment. We look forward to our next hitch, where we will be doing even more sawing, this time in the Mallard Larkins Pioneer Area.
Before and after blowdown crosses the trail, 3 trees high on trail 283 Lost Ridge, Clear Water National Forest