YOUR NATIONAL
The Magazine of the National Forest Foundation
Living the Wild River Life CELEBRATING WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS
In the Saddle THE BEST FORESTS FOR HORSES
Water, Wildlife and Wonder THE MT. HOOD NATIONAL FOREST
Summer | Fall 2018
Board of Directors Executive Committee Craig Barrett, NFF Chair Retired, CEO/Chairman of the Board, Intel Corporation (AZ) Lee Fromson, NFF Treasurer Executive Vice President, Products & Operations, Simms Fishing Products (MT) Timothy P. Schieffelin, NFF Secretary Partner, Leeward Group (CT) Caroline Choi, Senior Vice President, Regulatory Affairs, Southern California Edison (CA) Peter Foreman Sirius LP (IL) Rick Frazier President & Chief Operating Officer, Heartland Coca-Cola Bottling Co. (GA)
Board of Directors Mike Brown, Jr., General Partner, Bowery Capital (NY) Coleman Burke, President, Waterfront Properties (NY) Aimée Christensen, CEO, Christensen Global Strategies; Founding Executive Director, Sun Valley Institute (ID)
SUPPORT YOUR NATIONAL FORESTS Double your impact for our National Forests!
Workplace giving offers a convenient way to support the conservation of your National Forests and Grasslands. Many employers will also match your charitable contributions—doubling or even tripling the value of your donation to the National Forest Foundation.
Vicki Christiansen, Ex-Officio,Interim Chief, USDA Forest Service (DC) Robert Cole, Partner, Collins Cockrel & Cole, P.C. (CO) J. Alexander M. Douglas, Jr., CEO, Staples (GA) Bart Eberwein, Executive Vice President, Hoffman Construction Company (OR) Robert Feitler, Chairman of the Executive Committee, Weyco Group, Inc. (IL) Barry Fingerhut, CEO/Owner, Certification Partners, LLC (AZ) Beth Ganz, Vice President, Public Affairs & Sustainability, Vail Resorts Management Company (CO) Roje S. Gootee, Co-Owner & Manager, Rush Creek Ranch, LLC (OR) James K. Hunt (WY)
Check with your human resources department to see if your company provides matching donations to make your contributions go even further!
Andie MacDowell, Actress & Spokesperson (CA)
Visit www.nationalforests.org/give to contribute today.
Jeff Paro (NJ)
Thomas McHenry, President & Dean, Vermont Law School (VT)
Patricia Hayling Price, President, LiveWorkStrategize, LLC (NY) Mary Smart (NY)
The National Forest Foundation is a proud member of EarthShare, accepting Combined Federal Campaign workplace contributions from federal civilian, postal and military employees. Look for the National Forest Foundation – CFC #12053 on EarthShare’s website at www.earthshare.org.
Chad Weiss, Managing Director, JOG Capital Inc. (WY)
welcome letter
WILD RIVERS AND WINDING TRAILS
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his issue of Your National Forests is a celebration of rivers and trails. Why now? Because this summer marks the 50th Anniversary of two landmark laws: the National Scenic Trails Act and the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. The National Scenic Trails Act established a system of national trails across the U.S. that now includes 11 Trails, hundreds of National Recreation Trails and 19 National Historic Trails. These trails include some of the most iconic in the world such as the Pacific Crest Trail, the Appalachian Trail and the Continental Divide Trail. The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act helps preserve the best of the U.S.’s remaining undammed river stretches. At its most basic, Wild and Scenic Rivers designation ensures that these free-flowing rivers will remain free-flowing in perpetuity. With more than 17,000 dams impacting more than 600,000 river miles, America’s waterways are heavily managed. The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act allows the public to experience natural, free-flowing rivers and encourages recreational use. Your National Forests cover more than 193 million acres and contain the headwaters of America’s most important waterways like the Missouri River, the Columbia River, and dozens of others. These forests are also home to more than 158,000 miles of trails, pathways that invite people of all ages, abilities and means to enjoy their public lands. And enjoy them we do. The Forest Service estimates that more than 84 million people use National Forest trails every year. To help celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the National Trails Act and to make a major difference for our National Forest trails, we have launched our “Summer of Trails” campaign. With this exciting challenge, we invite you to make a gift in support of our National Forest trails. All the funds we raise will
be matched by the Forest Service, up to $500,000, meaning that when the campaign concludes at the end of September, we could have $1 million to invest in National Forest trails across the country. It’s up to you to pitch in and help us meet our goal! Learn more and support your trails at www.crowdrise.com/SummerOfTrails. We also invite you to journey with us through these pages. Meet the young family that is paddling 50 Wild and Scenic Rivers in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act; get to know Darley Newman, the Emmy-winning host of “Equitrekking” and “Travels With Darley” and check out our list of the best places for horseback riding; and finally, discover how relevant the remarks President Johnson gave when he signed these laws are today.
Happy hiking and happy floating,
Mary Mitsos President
Summer | Fall 2018
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inside
this edition
Wild rivers and winding trails
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Where in the Woods? How well can you identify your National Forests?
features
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Forests by the Numbers
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Field Reports
Miles and miles of rivers and trails
REI’s impact on our National Forests
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Forest News
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The fire fix is in
Treasured Landscapes The Mt. Hood National Forest
Tree Spotlight Nanocellulose is changing how we use wood
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Conservation
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Your Forests
20 Unforgettable Experiences Paddling 50 for the 50th
Hitting the trail
Is there a National Scenic Trail or Wild and Scenic River near you?
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Kids and Nature
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Voices from the Forest
Getting teens “into” nature
President Lyndon B. Johnson sounds off on wild rivers and national trails
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Unforgettable Experiences Giddyup: The best forests for equestrians
on the cover Father and daughter kayaking in Colorado. Photo: Jim Lambert~JRL Photography via iStock.
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Your National Forests
Photos: Samson1976 - iStock , Susan and Adam Elliott, Darley Newman
1 Welcome Letter
where in the woods This National Grassland rests in the rain shadow of the Cascade Mountains. See page 32 for answer. Photo: USFS
National Forest Foundation Building 27, Suite 3 Fort Missoula Road Missoula, Montana 59804 406.542.2805
®2018 National Forest Foundation. No unauthorized reproduction of this material is allowed. Your National Forests magazine is printed on recycled paper with 30% post-consumer content. This magazine’s use of FSC certified paper ensures the highest environmental and social standards have been followed in the wood sourcing, paper manufacturing and print production of this magazine. To learn more log on to www.fsc.org.
Your National Forests
The Magazine of the National Forest Foundation Editor-in-Chief Greg M. Peters Contributors Zoe Bommarito, David Downing, Susan and Adam Elliott, Mary Mitsos, Kerry Morse, Seth Neilson, Darley Newman, Monica Perez-Watkins, Greg M. Peters, Patrick Shannon. Graphic Artist Marci Mansfield, Mansfield Communications
National Forest Foundation
President Mary Mitsos Executive Vice President Ray A. Foote Edward Belden Southern California Program Manager Shereé Bombard Director, Administration Zoe Bommarito Communications Associate Kim Carr Director, California Program Rebecca Davidson Director, Southern Rockies Region Sarah Di Vitorrio California Program Manager Karen DiBari Director, Conservation Connect Hannah Ettema Digital Communications Coordinator Robin Hill Controller Ben Irey Conservation Connect Associate Adam Liljeblad Director, Conservation Awards Kerry Morse Conservations Programs Officer Luba Mullen Associate Director, Development Emily Olsen Colorado Program Manager Marlee Ostheimer Philanthropy & Partnerships Coordinator Monica Perez-Watkins Tree Planting Coordinator Greg M. Peters Director, Communications Lee Quick Accountant Evan Ritzinger California Program Associate Patrick Shannon Director, Pacific Northwest Program Emily Struss Event Planner & Coordinator Marcus Selig Vice President, Field Programs Mark Shelley Director, Eastern Region Deborah Snyder Development Services Manager Wes Swaffar Director, Ecosystem Services Dayle Wallien Director, Conservation Partnerships
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forests by the numbers
Rivers and Trails, Oh My! The National Scenic Trails Act and the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act have fostered America’s incredible public lands trail system and helped protect healthy, free-flowing rivers across the country. To celebrate these two golden anniversaries, we wanted to explore some facts around the vast trail and rivers systems that run across our National Forests and Grasslands.
400,000+ Miles of Rivers
158,600 Miles of Trails
12,743 miles of Wild and Scenic designated rivers in America 5,000 miles of Wild and Scenic designated rivers on National Forests 208 total number of Wild and Scenic designated rivers in America 125 total number of Wild and Scenic designated rivers that cross National Forests 40 number of states with a Wild and Scenic river 75,000 number of large dams across America 0 number of dams allowed on Wild and Scenic rivers 193,018 number of page views on the NFF’s “14 Best Places to Canoe and Kayak on National Forests” blog, which we first posted in April 2014
158,600 miles of trails on National Forests and Grasslands 84,000,000 estimated number of people who visit a National Forest trail each year 9 number of years of continuous hiking it would take to hike all of the trails on National Forests 60,300 miles of National Forest trails designated for motorized recreation 98,400 miles of National Forest trails designated for non-motorized recreation $300,000,000 dollar value of deferred or backlogged trail maintenance on National Forest trails, according to the Forest Service 17,017 miles of trail work performed by NFF grantees and volunteers since 2001 (through 9/1/2017)
and streams on America’s National Forests and Grasslands
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Your National Forests
on National Forests and Grasslands
field reports REI Makes a Huge Difference for our Forests and Grasslands By Kerry Morse
Photo: Emily Olsen
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n 2017, the NFF and REI launched a partnership to support National Forests and Grasslands across the country. The funding for these
2017 projects:
projects is initiated through REI members who use their members-only REI Co-op World Mastercard®. In 2018, REI renewed this partnership, and we are thrilled to kick off another slate of projects this field season. If you’d like to know more, visit: nationalforests.org/REI.
Above: Volunteers on Quandary Peak. Below: A trail crew hauls in supplies for work on Mt. Elbert, Colorado’s highest peak.
Photo: Cameron Miller
Find Your Fourteener Projects, White River and Pike San-Isabel National Forests, Colorado Colorado’s iconic “Fourteeners” are well loved and well hiked. As part of our Find Your Fourteener initiative, these projects improved trail conditions on two of the state’s most popular peaks: Mt. Elbert and Quandary Peak. With nonprofit partners and local volunteers, we tackled degraded trails, restored fragile alpine tundra ecosystems and improved recreational experiences for the thousands of people who enjoy these trails every year.
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field
reports Photos: Chelsea Dier Photography
Above: The volunteer crew on the Emigrant Trail poses for a group shot. Below: Volunteers improving the Emigrant Trail.
Commemorative Emigrant Trail, Tahoe National Forest, California The Commemorative Overland Emigrant Trail is an historic route that settlers used to get to California in the 1800s. Today, the trail is a popular recreation and historic destination. The NFF and local partners installed two critical bridges on the Alder Creek section of the Emigrant Trail, finalizing a trail reroute that skirts sensitive riparian and wetlands areas while providing hikers, trail runners and mountain bikers with an excellent 15-mile route through the Tahoe.
Chattooga River Access Enhancement, Nantahala & Pisgah National Forests, North Carolina Other 2017 projects included: Connecting urban youth from Chicago to Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie through a six-week long work program; completing 29 miles of trail improvements on the Tonto National Forest in Arizona (with support from additional funders); and working with native youth from Alaska and Oklahoma on forest restoration projects.
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The Chattooga River is the premier Wild and Scenic River in the East and its upper reaches have recently been opened to recreational boating. This project will construct kayak launch sites and access trails for boaters and anglers, install trailhead kiosks, and improve trailhead parking, all in a sustainable model that ensures this incredible river remains pristine for years to come.
Crawford Path Trail, White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire Crawford Path is one of the oldest official trails in the country. This project will improve unsustainable trail conditions on this historic trail, which is also a critical part of the Appalachian Trail. The timing is perfect as this project will also help celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the White Mountain National Forest in 2018!
field
reports
2018 projects: Photo: USFS
Other 2018 projects include:
Hurricane Irma damage on the Ocala National Forest.
Hurricane Relief Projects, Ocala National Forest, Florida and Sam Houston National Forest, Texas There is a lot of work to be done on our National Forests in the wake of 2017’s hurricanes. In central Florida’s Ocala National Forest, we will repair three popular trails damaged by Hurricane Irma. On the Sam Houston National Forest in Texas, we will improve trail user’s experiences and reduce environmental impacts stemming from damage by Hurricane Harvey.
Continued work on Mt. Elbert, Quandary Peak and new work on “America’s Mountain,” Pikes Peak in Colorado; restoring the Alden Gulch Trail on Idaho’s Sawtooth National Forest; restoring trails and making trailhead improvements at the Vincent’s Gap Trailhead on the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument, just outside of Los Angeles; improving trails at the Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area on West Virginia’s Monongahela National Forest; and a second year of the successful UKB Conservation Youth Corps project on the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest in Georgia.
Big Chief Trail, Tahoe National Forest, California The NFF and partners will construct nearly seven miles of new multiuse trail on the Tahoe National Forest. In addition to accessing the Big Chief climbing area, the new Big Chief Trail will provide mountain bikers, hikers and trail-runners with access to the Tahoe Rim Trail, a popular and well-known trail that circumnavigates Lake Tahoe, all while restoring wildlife habitat and improving watershed health by rehabilitating illegal user-created trails in the area.
Wilderness Trail Restoration with U.S. Naval Academy, George Washington-Jefferson National Forest, Virginia Through this program and in partnership with the U.S. Naval Academy, midshipmen and local volunteers will conduct much-needed work on wilderness trails in the Appalachian Mountains. The midshipmen will lead implementation of on-the-ground stewardship projects, which will provide them with important leadership training and experience in the natural world.
Artist Point and Heather Meadow Trail, Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, Washington Washington State’s Artist Point is a very popular site located at the end of the Mt. Baker Highway. It boasts 360-degree views of Mt. Shuksan and Mt. Baker and provides access to a variety of trails, including the Heather Meadows Trail. This project will provide trailhead and trail repairs and improvements, including signage, retaining structures and slope stabilization features.
Kerry Morse is the NFF’s conservation programs officer. When she’s not working with the NFF’s incredible grantees, she can be found playing the fiddle and exploring Montana’s National Forests. Reach her at kmorse@nationalforests.org.
C O R P O R AT E PA R T N E R Through a multi-year, multi-million dollar partnership with the NFF, REI is setting a new bar for how companies can steward our shared public lands. REI’s support of trails as outlined above and the company’s extensive communication about the importance of National Forests are making a real difference. We are grateful for REI’s leadership and for their continued support and commitment to our National Forests.
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forest news Did Congress “Fix” the Forest Service’s Firefighting Budget?
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ast year, fighting wildfires cost the federal government more than $2.5 billion, making it the most expensive wildfire season in history. More than 10 million acres burned in wildfires across the country—many of them in or near National Forests.
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Your National Forests
devastating fire seasons each year, the ten year average has not been enough to pay for battling all the fires on our National Forests. In addition, as suppression costs have increased, the Forest Service‘s budget has not kept pace, meaning a greater portion of its budget is allocated to wildland fire management every year. This situation puts the agency in a bind. It has to fight fires and protect communities, but it doesn’t have enough money dedicated to fighting fires in its annual budget. So, to fight increasingly frequent wildfires, the Forest Service implemented a “fire borrowing” strategy which basically means the agency takes funds from other parts of its operations to fight wildfires. The areas typically cannibalized include forest health, research, recreation, restoration, and, ironically, wildfire prevention. While the agency pays itself back with next year’s funding, fire borrowing is not a sustainable practice, leaving National Forests and Grasslands desperate for funding to enact basic programs and manage projects each year. The agency, National Forest advocates and members of Congress have worked for years to remedy this situation, with little progress until this year when Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue pushed Congress for a solution. After almost a decade of work, forestry advocates and Congress agreed upon a fix, and the “Wildfire and Disaster Funding Adjustment” was written into the 2018 omnibus spending bill.
Photo: iStock
In the past decade, wildfire seasons have become longer and more devastating for both forests and the communities that surround them. During that time, wildfire suppression expenses have jumped from 15 percent to more than 50 percent of the Forest Service’s annual budget. Importantly, the firefighting costs incurred by the Forest Service aren’t tied exclusively to fighting fire on National Forests alone; the agency works across multiple ownerships such as state, private, county and other federal lands to fight wildfires wherever they are occurring. Most of the funding used to fight fires comes from the wildland fire suppression account in the Forest Service’s congressionally appropriated budget. This account has historically been funded at a rolling ten year average of wildfire costs (meaning Congress gives the Forest Service the average of the costs the agency has devoted to fighting fires over the last ten years). But with more
By Zoe Bommarito
forest news
So what does the fire funding fix actually do? The Forest Service’s wildfire suppression account will be frozen at the 2015 Fiscal Year (FY) level of $1.011 billion, but Congress is giving the agency access to a new $2.5 billion emergency fund starting in FY 2020. The fund is authorized to grow by $100 million each year through 2027. If the Forest Service exceeds its $1.011 billion fire budget, it can tap into the emergency fund instead of borrowing from itself. To ensure that the emergency funding is used efficiently, the Secretary of Agriculture must submit a report to Congress each year documenting fire spending for that season. Forest Service Interim Chief, Vicki Christiansen, hopes this solution will provide enough funds for suppression so that fire borrowing is unneeded and programs can function the way they were intended. “We really have an opportunity to put the
work on the ground, improve the conditions of the national forests and create more opportunity for access and recreation as well,” she said shortly after the law passed in March. While this is a strong step in the right direction, we still have two years under the old system, so fire borrowing may still occur a bit longer. However, a solution is in place that should provide more reliable funding for programs preventing wildfires, and to wildlife, trail maintenance and forest health programs so that our National Forests can be enjoyed for years to come.
Zoe Bommarito is NFF’s new communications associate. She looks forward to hiking, exploring, and camping in Montana’s National Forests. Reach her at zbommarito@nationalforests.org.
C O R P O R AT E PA R T N E R Water is a key resource for producing microchips and other technologies that power our modern world. The Intel Corporation recognizes the importance of healthy watersheds for wildlife, people and industries. That’s why they’ve partnered with the NFF in 2018 to improve the health of Comanche Creek on the Carson National Forest in New Mexico.
Summer | Fall 2018
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tree spotlight
WHAT THE HECK IS NANOCELLULOSE By Monica Perez-Watkins
W
hen you think about wood products, you likely picture lumber or paper. You probably don’t picture clothing or a computer chip. But today, scientists and cutting-edge manufacturers are using wood to make everything from computer chips to fabric and much more. These value-added products aren’t created from carving and grinding a standard slab of wood. Instead, most are made from a microscopic component of wood called nanocellulose.
What the heck is nanocellulose? Let’s start with cellulose.
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Your National Forests
Visitors to UW–Madison’s Union South walk across a section of floor designed and installed by College of Engineering researchers to capture the energy of footsteps and turn it into usable electricity. Photo: Adrienne Nienow
Cellulose is a structural component found in plant cell walls. It gives trees strength, accounts for about half of the mass of wood, and is the most abundant organic compound on Earth. Basically, nanocellulose are super small particles of cellulose that have been separated from non-cellulose particles through chemical or mechanical treatments. To help illustrate how tiny nanocellulose is, take a look at a strand of your own hair. Now imagine something that is about 80,000 times thinner than your strand, and you have a nanometer. Research is growing rapidly on this microscopic component of wood. Nanocellulose is valued for its renewability, abundance, potential low cost, and its ability
to add strength without weight. The U.S. Forest Service’s Forest Products Laboratory (FPL) in Madison, Wisconsin is leading this charge. In 2012, the FPL opened the nation’s first nanocellulose pilot plant to advance the research and production of this nano-sized wonder. A nanocellulose plant might sound strange to the average person, but this is a burgeoning field that may have enormous environmental benefits. First, nanocellulose can be extracted from waste products
of the wood industry such as harvest residues (i.e., limbs and branches) and sawdust. Second, cellulose is biodegradable and can be composted. Some think it has the potential to replace many carbon-emitting, oil-based products. The list of sustainable, value-added products that can be made from or with wood nanocellulose is extensive. (Nanocellulose can also be extracted from some non-woody plants, sea squirts, algae, and certain types of bacteria. Now you know what a sea squirt and a tree have in common!) One exciting use of nanocellulose is happening at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-M). In collaboration with the FPL, researchers devised a way to use footsteps to make electricity with nanocellulose floor panels. The flooring is made from recycled wood pulp, partially composed of nanocellulose fibers chemically treated to create an electric charge when they
tree spotlight
...AND WHY SHOULD I CARE? Photo: VTT Technical Research Centre
Spinnova, the latest spin-off of VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, is developing environmentally friendly yarn thread technology based on spruce and pine fibres.
contact untreated fibers. This new research field, known as “roadside energy harvesting,” could turn heavily foot-trafficked surfaces into sustainable energy sources. Imagine acquiring all of the energy needed for your office just from your coworkers walking to the watercooler! UW-M researchers have also developed a nanocellulose-based computer chip for wireless devices that works just as well as standard chips. The nanocellulose chips are biodegradable, unlike standard chips that can leach harmful pollutants in the environment when thrown out, and could play a huge role in curbing global electronic waste. Another energy-saving and potentially industry-transforming use of nanocellulose is concrete. Purdue University and FPL researchers have been testing nanocellulose-infused concrete for several years, and plans are underway for building a nanocellulose-concrete bridge
in California this summer. The wood-based material strengthens concrete while making it lighter. Nanocellulose-infused cement is also more efficient than regular cement because it sets faster and uses less water, which means it has less mass. Additionally, less CO2 is emitted during production than with traditional cement. This would be a big step in fighting climate change, as cement plants are responsible for an estimated eight percent of global CO2 emissions. Even fashion designers are taking note. While cellulosic fibers from trees have been used in clothing for a while (e.g.: rayon and viscose), manufacturing processes have been plagued with non-sustainably sourced trees, toxic chemicals and high energy demands. Scientists at the Finnish company Spinnova have figured out a way to spin nanocellulose into fabric without the use of harmful chemicals, while reportedly using up to 99 percent less
water and 80 percent less energy than traditional cotton fabrics. The inspiration for their unique spinning process? A spider’s web. The nanocellulose is spun into a sustainable and durable, yet fine, textile fiber suitable for use in various industries, from fashion to home textiles. Currently, Spinnova only produces fabric with nanocellulose extracted from Forest Stewardship Council certified wood pulp, but the company says they can use any type of cellulose. A wedding gown made from saw dust, anyone? How many times a day do you walk on wood flooring, drive across concrete, or touch fabric? Saving even a small amount of energy in the production of these items, while using a renewable and abundant material like wood waste, could make a huge difference for the global environment. We have the potential to take a giant step toward a more sustainable, renewable future. All thanks to trees! So the next time you take a walk in the woods, remember that you may one day soon be wearing, talking on the phone, or charging your computer with something that was once a tree.
Monica Perez-Watkins is the NFF’s new tree-planting coordinator. She lives in Missoula, Montana with her husband, two dogs and three cats. Reach her at mperezwatkins@nationalforests.org.
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conservation
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TRAILHEAD You’re all packed up, you’ve picked up your friends, navigated your rig to the trailhead, and you’re only 30 minutes behind schedule! Before you start marching up the trail, take a couple moments to check out the trailhead. First, make sure you leave enough room for other cars to fit into the limited number of spots, especially at busy trailheads. Then, check out the kiosk for important information: trail conditions, recent wildlife sightings (like bears or mountain lions), any rules or restrictions you’ll need to follow and a map of the area. Snap a photo of the map, it may come in handy. Grab a waypoint on your phone or GPS to make sure you can get back if things go awry. Double check that you’ve got all your stuff (backpack, keys, food, map, water, bear spray, extra layers, binocs, camera, etc.). Make sure you’re on the right trail; some trailheads access more than one trail.
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BRIDGE Most trails cross a creek, stream or river at some point. Depending on the size of the watercourse, there may be bridge of some kind to help you get across. If you’re on a popular trail with a long water crossing, you’ll likely encounter a real bridge. Or you may find yourself inching across a log. Bridges are expensive and labor intensive to maintain, so some smaller streams are simply forded. Suck it up and take off your shoes and socks; hiking in wet feet is worse than braving cold water for a few moments. Unclip your hip and sternum strap and grab a stick to help with balance as you wade across.
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TREAD
WATER BARS Ever wonder what those rubber strips you see on the trail are? They’re water bars. Managing water flows is one of the most important things trail builders do. Water erodes trails, degrades nearby streams and rivers, and often forces hikers to create new trails around eroded areas. Water bars are typically rubber strips or tree trunks installed 45 degrees to the trail. Of course, the best way to control water is good trail placement from the get go.
As you make your way up the trail, check out the trail tread. You may find crushed gravel or other surface materials, which “harden” the trail and make it more durable. Likely, it’s just bare ground. The Forest Service specifies trail widths for different types of trails: hiking trails should be at least 24 inches wide, mountain bike trails 18 inches wide and OHV trails 48 inches wide (OHVs larger than 50 inches are not allowed on Forest Service trails). If you see a rock in the trail, feel free to kick it off to the side.
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About the Illustrator Seth Neilson works out of Bozeman, Montana where he lives with his family. Check out his work, and especially his “My Outdoor Alphabet” series at www.sethsquatch.com.
PUNCHEON If you’re hiking in a wet area, you’ll likely cross a puncheon. These raised platforms elevate the trail above a wetland, bog or swampy area. Puncheons are important for maintaining wetland health and for user safety and comfort. Take care when walking across wet wood, it can be very slippery.
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SWITCHBACKS The more climbing your trail has, the more you’ll learn to love (and hate) switchbacks. These simple engineering marvels make ascending and descending steep slopes much easier, even if they increase the number of steps you have to take. They also help reduce trail erosion. It can be tempting to cut switchbacks, but that degrades trails and associated habitat. Stick to the trail, even if it seems like you could march straight up the hill. The trail, the earth and your knees will thank you.
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About the Author Greg M. Peters is the NFF’s Director of Communications. He’s forded plenty of streams, and always takes his boots and socks off. Reach him at gpeters@nationalforests.org.
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SUMMIT Whoop-whoop! The summit. You made it. Well done! Take a seat, have some lunch, snap a selfie and enjoy the view. You earned it. If there’s a summit register, sign it and note the date. Then put it back where you found it. Just remember that summits aren’t always a great place to hang out. They can be windy and cold, afternoon lightning storms can be dangerous, and you still have to hike back down.
OVERLOOK Alright, you’ve made some progress and are ready for a break. Nothing beats grabbing a drink or snack at an overlook. Even if the overlook is off the main trail a bit, it’s probably worth checking out. You’re out there to enjoy the experience, not march straight to the summit.
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your forests
HAWAII
PUERTO RICO
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Your National Forests
your forests
O
ur National Forests and Grasslands cover a lot of ground—193 million acres of it. While that seems huge, it’s only about eight percent of the entire country. But if you look at America’s National Scenic Trails and our Wild and Scenic Rivers, the value of our National Forests becomes substantially greater than simple percentages.
Map art: David A. Downing
National Scenic Trails
All but three of the official National Scenic Trails cross our National Forests, many for hundreds if not thousands of miles, and 125 of the 208 Wild and Scenic Rivers cross our National Forests. This map provides a glimpse of how important our National Forests and Grasslands are to America’s incredible trail system and our amazing wild rivers.
Wild and Scenic Rivers
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treasured landscapes
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f you were able to create a new National Forest that could host diverse species of wildlife, provide drinking water for a million people and offer amazing recreational experiences, you’d do well to use the Mt. Hood National Forest as a template.
Water, Wildlife and Wond The Forest’s namesake, Mt. Hood, is a 12,240-foot tall dormant volcano that serves as the centerpiece of this unique Oregon forest. On one side of the mountain, a moist, temperate rainforest grows, complete with moss that hangs off the branches of thick Douglas-fir trees. On the other side is a dry, fire-adapted forest with stately Ponderosa pine trees that receives little rainfall. The Mt. Hood, as the Forest is known locally, is home to northern spotted owls, cougars, elk and, recently rumored, wolves. It boasts over 200 miles of Wild and Scenic rivers that provide habitat to migrating Chinook and Coho salmon and steelhead trout. In addition to its diverse ecosystems, the Mt. Hood provides over one million people with high-quality drinking water filtered through its lush forests. Portland, Oregon, only 20 minutes away, sends a steady flow of outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy hiking, skiing, kayaking, rafting, fishing, horseback riding, mountain biking and more. The Pacific Crest Trail goes through the heart of the Forest, and Mt. Hood is one of the most climbed mountains in the country. Every year, more than four million people visit the Mt. Hood, making it one of the most visited National Forests in the country.
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treasured landscapes
der:
The Mt. Hood National Forest
By Patrick Shannon
History
Photo: Samson1976 - iStock
Multiple Native American tribes lived within the shadow of Mt. Hood, and many of them called the mountain Wy’East. Members of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde and the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs have traditional hunting and gathering grounds across the Forest where their ancestors collected plants and berries, caught salmon, and hunted deer and elk. Lewis and Clark spotted the mountain on October 18, 1805 as they passed down the Columbia River. Their storied expedition marked a turning point for the entire West, and over the next half-century, settlers built communities near the Forest. The Mt. Hood National Forest was originally established as the Cascade Range Forest Reserve in 1893, shortly before local water districts harnessed the abundant water flowing from Mt. Hood’s west flank to quench the thirst of the growing city of Portland. The Forest was renamed twice after its establishment as the Cascade Range Forest Reserve. First in 1908, it was changed to the Oregon National Forest and then in 1924, it became the Mt. Hood National Forest.
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treasured landscapes both wildlife habitat protection and the ecosystem services the Forest provides with ever-increasing recreational demands. To help achieve this, we designated the Mt. Hood as a Treasured Landscapes site in 2017. Through our campaign, we are increasing the number and diversity of people who can help steward the Mt. Hood, with an emphasis on increasing river flows that improve salmon and steelhead habitat while also serving people downstream.
Maintaining Sustainable Recreation Opportunities Easy access to Mt. Hood is one factor in Portland’s growth, and there is little sign that such growth is slowing. This rising demand on hiking trails and recreation sites perversely has been met with decreasing Forest Service recreation budgets. So how does the agency seek to balance these competing forces? Through partnerships. The Forest Service works with organizations comprised of hikers, backpackers, mountain bikers, horseback riders and others. Volunteers at these organizations plug away at the maintenance needs in their favorite recreation areas. However, the Mt. Hood, like every other National Forest, can use more volunteers. Through our Treasured Landscapes work, we are increasing the number of volunteers who can steward hiking trails and other recreation assets, and we’re casting a wide net. As the ethnic and racial diversity in our country increases, we need to engage all people in appreciating and stewarding our National Forests.
ur goal is to help balance both wildlife habitat protection and the ecosystem services the Forest provides with everincreasing recreational demands.
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All Photos: USFS. Mt. Hood Flickr site
Over the next half century, the region’s natural resources supported these growing communities and the rest of the nation. Timber companies, with support and direction from the U.S. Forest Service, built roads to access the Forest’s old-growth timber, and dams sprouted on many of the Forest’s rivers, providing hydropower and flood control. These activities had a large and negative impact on terrestrial wildlife and salmon populations and a cascading effect on communities who relied on the Forest for subsistence hunting, fishing and gathering, including Native Americans. Meanwhile the population of Portland and surrounding communities grew. Recreation increased as roads provided more access to the Mt. Hood’s valleys, ridges, lakes and rivers. Now the Forest Service is tasked with balancing the needs of healthy ecosystems for wildlife with providing drinking water and recreation opportunities for people. So, how does the Forest Service do it? “It is a challenge,” says Lisa Northrup, Forest Supervisor on the Mt. Hood. “Since time immemorial, the area of the Pacific Northwest that is currently designated as the Mt. Hood National Forest has served as a crossroads where people and natural resources intertwine and intersect. Managing towards sustainability and balanced use helps the Forest Service redeem our responsibility and commitment to the American people. We all need to continue to engage in community forums to determine places where we have common purpose.” At the NFF, we see this challenge as an opportunity to help develop new approaches to managing the Mt. Hood. Our goal is to help balance
treasured landscapes
Healthy Watersheds for Salmon and People The Mt. Hood’s rivers provide water year-round, but the majority of the water flows when the area’s abundant snow melts during the spring and summer. Since rainfall averages only three inches in the summer, this snow melt is crucial for salmon swimming upstream to spawn and for thirsty residents (and lawns) downstream. In some areas, low water flows are becoming a concern. Will there be enough water for both salmon and people? With a changing climate, some projections show that ensuring enough water for all may be increasingly difficult. In response, the NFF is restoring the historic way rivers and streams functioned on the Forest. This relatively simple concept involves first studying how an ecosystem functioned before human intervention and then exploring what can be done to restore those natural functions. On the Mt. Hood, the NFF is identifying areas where water can be naturally stored until the summer when it is needed most. One example of this work is to “re-wet” meadows that have become drier due to past management practices, including the removal of beavers. Meadows that used to be wet across their entire surface are now only wet where a stream
runs through. By installing check dams or reintroducing beavers (who build their own dams), water is pushed out of the stream channel and across the meadow, where it soaks into the ground. As the summer progresses, this stored water naturally makes its way back to the stream. We’re also addressing other legacies of the past. Decades-old logging practices, like “cleaning up a river” by pulling out logs, proved detrimental to the habitat that salmon and steelhead need to spawn and that their offspring need to survive. The logs slow rivers down and create pools and other beneficial habitats that fish prefer. The NFF is working with the Forest Service and local partners to strategically place large logs in the rivers to recreate this needed habitat. This supports our efforts to rebound populations of threatened salmon and steelhead.
ur long-term success rests on recruiting and connecting the next generations of diverse volunteer stewards.
From Salmon to Sweat Like all National Forests, the Mt. Hood is a special place that provides countless benefits for both wildlife and people. Our long-term success rests on recruiting and connecting the next generations of diverse volunteer stewards who will invest sweat and hard work into a place that provides so much to so many. Learn more about our campaign on the Mt. Hood National Forest at: nationalforests.org/mthood.
Patrick Shannon is the Pacific Northwest Director. He enjoys exploring the Mt. Hood’s forests, rivers and meadows and enjoys drinking water from Mt. Hood from his tap at home in Portland. Reach him at pshannon@nationalforests.org.
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unforgettable experiences
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n 2016, life-long paddlers and river experts Susan and Adam Elliott (with full support from their faithful dog Wallace), envisioned an ambitious project: paddle 50 Wild and Scenic Rivers in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act.
Susan Elliott charges Verde Falls on the Verde River, Coconino National Forest, Arizona.
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Your National Forests
Answers and Photos by Susan and Adam Elliott
Since then, the Elliotts have been spending much of their life on the road in a vintage Catalina Coachman motorhome. Over the years, they’ve paddled 40 Wild and Scenic Rivers and have become parents to their daughter, Juniper. Of course, many of America’s Wild and Scenic Rivers run through National Forests, so we thought it would be great to learn more about the Elliotts and the National Forest rivers they paddled. We hope this interview will provide inspiration and a few tips on creating your own “Wild River Life.”
All Photos: Susan and Adam Elliott
The Wild River Life
unforgettable experiences NFF: What inspired you to start the 50 Rivers Project? ADAM: The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act was signed into federal law 50 years ago. So, we decided to paddle 50 for the 50th Anniversary. The number has a nice ring to it! But, I have to give full credit to Susan for the motivation and vision. And for this stage in our lives, the timing couldn’t be better. Susan just achieved her Masters in Water Resource Engineering, and we both get to spend a terrific amount of time with our baby, Juniper! SUSAN: We both wanted to spend time on the road and paddling rivers all over the country! I’m sure that is the dream of many boaters. But we also wanted to make our efforts count toward the protection of the places we love to play outdoors. Our international river trips also inspired us to celebrate America’s protected rivers. We’ve seen a lot of river system degradation in our travels in the form of mega-dams creating stair-step reservoirs, burning landfills being pushed into the river, raw sewage entering streams, or total de-watering and re-routing of streams for rampant development. We always looked forward to returning to our home rivers. So, we decided it was time to explore the rivers in our own country, especially those rivers that we, as a nation, have decided to protect. NFF: How did you come up with your list of 50 rivers to paddle? SUSAN: When we set the goal, a few trips immediately made it to our list. I have always wanted to hike into the Middle Fork of the Flathead River, or float on an Ozark stream. We also wanted to visit iconic whitewater destinations like the Tuolumne in California or the Cache la Poudre in Colorado. But since rivers, especially free-flowing ones, can be unpredictable, we also maintained flexibility with our “list.” We found ourselves spontaneously adding rivers that suddenly fit into our tour, like Granite Creek and Hoback River in Wyoming. Mostly, we set out with about 25 rivers that we absolutely wanted to visit and made a flexible list with 25-35 additional rivers that we hoped would work. NFF: You’ve covered a lot of river miles, why are wild rivers so important to the U.S.? SUSAN: Rivers are the circulatory system for the entire planet. They pump and purify water, transport nutrients and sediment, and provide critical habitat for the majority of the world’s plants and
animals. They can’t provide all these ecosystem services for free if we stuff them behind dams or divert their flow away from their natural course. We need rivers to be rivers. They do a lot for us in their free-flowing state. With our background in the recreation economy (guiding and instruction), we also know how inspiring wild rivers can be for individuals. Rivers inspire us, give us moments of solitude, and provide opportunities for play. A wild river reminds us of the forces of nature, of the wildlife that lives nearby, of our own humanity. They both humble us while also reminding us that we are strong and capable. NFF: What is it that you want your followers to know about America’s Wild and Scenic Rivers? SUSAN: Everyone can enjoy Wild and Scenic Rivers, no matter their background or skill level. You don’t have to be an expert paddler or a seasoned wilderness explorer. Many of these rivers flow near big cities or through suburbs. Simply go and sit next to one, watch the water flow over rocks and the riparian forests sway with the breeze. And of course, if you have the skill set, grab your boat and go float these incredible waterways. Floating on a river transforms our perspective of the watershed. They are the conveyor belts into places we can’t reach on foot. NFF: How many Wild and Scenic Rivers did you paddle that run through our National Forests? SUSAN: Of the 40 Wild and Scenic Rivers we’ve paddled so far, 31 flow through our National Forests at some point along their journey. A small handful of those are jointly managed by the Forest Service and another federal agency, and many flow exclusively through National Forests. NFF: What have you noticed about rivers that run through National Forests that makes them different from other rivers? ADAM: The best thing about Wild and Scenic Rivers that flow through National Forests is all of the other outdoor activities that are available as part of the river experience. When I am river guiding, I always tell our guests, that the river is only a small sliver of our outdoor experience. A river trip through a National Forest allows opportunities for all of the other things that we love about nature: seeing wildlife, hiking, swimming, and they offer excellent camping, hunting and fishing too.
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unforgettable experiences SUSAN: Getting pregnant changed a few things for me. I found that I didn’t want to paddle hard whitewater, even if I felt confident that I could. As my belly got bigger, canoeing and rafting for long days became more comfortable than sitting in a kayak. We also knew that our plans might drastically change once our child was born. Perhaps she would hate her carseat, or need extra care that required us to stay put. We had to be open to any possibility while also moving forward with our plans in hopes that Juniper would happily join us. So far she is doing great! While we are no experts, I would say that being a parent so far doesn’t mean we have to stop doing the things we love. We just need to take more breaks and do things slower than before. But taking more time turns out to be really fun! Packrafting flatwater on the Middle Fork of the Flathead River, Flathead National Forest, Montana.
Black Creek Rapid, Main Salmon River in the Salmon-Challis National Forest, Idaho.
NFF: You had a baby half-way through your project. How did that change things? Do you have any advice for families looking to get into paddling? ADAM: We knew from before our trip began that we’d be trying to start a family. Honestly, travel, river conservation and recreation are central to how we want to raise our daughter. I went on my first multi-day rafting trip when I was just six months old on the San Juan River in Southern Utah. Juniper’s health and safety are paramount, and we know that there are many ways to enjoy the river and road life that are safe and appropriate. For all of the young families out there, experienced or not, this is my advice: start ‘em young and keep it fun. If it takes a village to raise a child, take your village to the river. Groups of families with kids of a similar age are great because you have several adults to keep the sunscreen applied, water bottles consumed, and PFDs buckled.
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unforgettable experiences NFF: Which was your favorite river? Top three if one is too hard to pick. SUSAN: Our trip into the Middle Fork of the Flathead River always stands out when I think of my favorite Wild and Scenic Rivers so far. We hiked in six miles on Granite Creek Trail with packrafts rolled up in our packs, all our food and camping stuff for four days. Then we had a leisurely, and exciting, three-day paddle downstream through the Great Bear Wilderness in the Flathead National Forest. The camping, fishing, and paddling were excellent. ADAM: I definitely agree with Susan here: the Middle Fork of the Flathead was such a great trip. However, I have to say that my personal favorite river in the Wild and Scenic system has to be the Middle Fork of the Feather in Plumas National Forest, up in northern California. I have paddled it four times at various flows over the past decade. This past spring however, I was part of a group that paddled it at considerably higher flows than typical. The group was comprised of all very experienced Class V paddlers with big water paddling skills and most of us were quite familiar with the run. The remoteness, challenging whitewater, stunning waterfalls, and length of the run all make this one of my favorite rivers anywhere. NFF: Which river are you most looking forward to paddling as you work to complete this project? SUSAN: We can’t wait to visit the rivers in the East this year. With 40 rivers under our belt, we only have to hit ten more. I’m really excited about Wilson Creek in North Carolina, a river I was never able to catch with boatable flows when I lived out East. We also are excited to paddle the Chattooga River and the Eleven Point in Missouri. Then, we hope to make it up to the Northeast where we can take our daughter, Juniper, on some flatwater float trips on the Delaware and Clarion Rivers. NFF: When you finish this project, you’ll have been paddling and driving for nearly three years. Were there times when you doubted the wisdom of a project this ambitious? Did you ever consider quitting? What inspired you to keep going? SUSAN: We moved into our “road home” in June of 2016, but have been stationed in the Northwest much of that time. This year, 2018, we will only live on the road for shorter trips around the West - to the Lochsa River in Idaho and the Smith River in
Dinner and camping on the beach, Middle Fork of the Salmon River, Salmon-Challis National Forests, Idaho.
California. So we really only lived on the road for about a year and a half. Finding internet and cool office spaces to write and edit photos has been tough. And there is always the difficulty of finding a dogsitter! Luckily, we’ve been able to do that in the way we had hoped, but we’ve always remained flexible. NFF: Canoe, packraft, kayak or raft? Which is your favorite craft? ADAM: Ha! This is one of the most difficult questions and one that I refuse to answer. :-) I must say they are all the best boat depending upon the river, your shuttle vehicle, how much gear you want to bring, etc. I love to cook gourmet meals with five courses, pack two pillows, plus a few different cameras, and travel deep into the wilderness. Rafting will always be there as primary craft for this style of multi-day trips with friends and family. However, a well-fitting whitewater kayak is hard to beat for getting your fill of pure, soul-nourishing, negatively charged ions. SUSAN: My favorite watercraft absolutely depends upon the river, the group, the weather, and more.
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unforgettable experiences
...we wanted to make our efforts count toward the protection of the places where we love to play outdoors. The timing of the Wilderness Act’s 50th anniversary aligned perfectly...
NFF: You’ve still got some rivers yet to paddle, what’s next for the Elliotts once you complete your list? SUSAN: While we have ten more Wild and Scenic Rivers to paddle this year, I think we are both most excited about bringing our daughter on one of those river trips. Perhaps she will take on a challenge like this when she is older, to not just enjoy recreating in America’s beautiful wild places, but also stand up and work to protecting those places that she loves to play too. ADAM: We also can’t wait for our guidebook “Paddling America: Explore and Discover Our 50 Greatest Wild and Scenic Rivers” to be published with Falcon Guides and Backpacker Magazine in October 2018! It includes many of our trips, some rivers we will visit this year, and even three rivers that will hopefully be designated soon.
I think we take our whitewater kayaks out more than anything, but that is just because it is easy. We love taking people out on the water and a raft trip makes perfect sense for that. This tour has helped us expand our “favorite watercraft” list to include canoes and packrafts, both of which will be great for bringing our young daughter on the river in the next few years. We found ourselves wanting to take the canoe to more rivers because of how graceful it is on the water. We can pack a few more “creature comforts” than our tiny whitewater kayaks, bring the dog, and still go pretty light-weight for camping. I’m also excited to do more packrafting because it opens up exploration into the whole watershed, even multiple watersheds. We’ll be able to hike into rivers, float, and even hike over the ridgeline to explore somewhere else. NFF: Whitewater or flatwater? ADAM: Again, with your impossible questions! We don’t live in an “either/or” world. Do you like breathing or eating better? DO BOTH! SUSAN: Perhaps our favorite type of river is one with both whitewater and flatwater: some excitement to challenge our skills and focus as well as long stretches to relax and listen to nature. I think we will always gravitate toward some whitewater. The problem solving aspect of navigating a boat through whitewater rapids instills self-confidence, strength, and great joy for me. I feel like the river and I are working together when paddling through rapids, at least when I am on my line!
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The Elliott clan: Susan, Adam, Juniper and Wallace. About the Authors: If you want to learn more about the Elliott’s and their “Wild River Life” project, follow them on Instagram (@WildRiverLife) or check out their great website at www.WildRiverLife.com.
unforgettable experiences Photo: ManoAfrica - iStock
Giddyup! Six National Forests Perfect for Horses
(and the people who ride them) By Darley Newman
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’ve traveled the world on horseback for over a decade, discovering spectacular places to saddle up for “Equitrekking,” the Emmy-winning PBS series I created. There’s something special about seeing a place on horseback and riding through rugged and remote natural areas with an equine partner.
You unobtrusively get a window into the history, culture and geography of places that may not be easily accessible by other means. As an East Coast equestrian, I relish the chance to ride the American West with its majestic mountains, and I love the Southwest’s stark deserts, canyons and abundant star gazing. Equally magnificent are the Northeastern forests and Midwest grasslands, where trails conveniently take you away from urban city-scapes into a natural oasis and back again in short order. Whether you ride solo for a moment of zen or saddle up in a new location with a seasoned wrangler, exploring “in the saddle” can bring you back to a simpler time and enrich your mind and soul. Our public lands, and especially our National Forests, are some of the best places to ride with
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unforgettable experiences
San Juan National Forest, Colorado With several peaks rising above 14,000 feet, sheer canyons and steep switchbacks, riding in the San Juan National Forest is challenging. But riders who venture out in this part of southwestern Colorado are greatly
rewarded with awesome surroundings. There are a lot of places to ride in the San Juan, but the trip up Pass Creek Trail to Engineer Mountain is particularly dramatic. July and August are the best months to ride in the San Juan. The weather is mild and the wildflowers are in bloom. In June and maybe even July, you can face snow drifts since these trails run along the north side of the mountain. August is monsoon season, so you will definitely want to bring rain gear and wrap up your ride by mid-day to avoid dangerous lightning storms. I was caught in a July hailstorm near the base of Engineer Mountain, which only added to the adventure of exploring this vast National Forest. The trails ascend through sub-alpine growth and offer many chances to gaze up at the green strata of Engineer Mountain, which towers above the trail. Once above timberline, you pass through open fields ablaze with wildflowers, including primrose, geraniums and orchids. At around 12,000 feet, Lake Electra shimmers in the distance along with the Needle Mountains, covered in toothpicklike trees. At what seems like the top of the world, views of the awe-inspiring Rocky Mountains overwhelm the senses and drop all the way to the Animas River Valley far below. On a clear day, vistas extend all the way to New Mexico.
Riding through the San Juan National Forest, Colorado.
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All Photos: Darley Newman
unmatched diversity of trails and adventures. If you’re not a horse owner or avid rider, you can still ride in many National Forests through numerous local outfitters, guides and dude ranches, many of which have long operated on National Forest lands. Narrowing down some of the best National Forests for horseback riding is no easy task, as each offers something extraordinary. The following are special National Forests where equestrian trails, campsites, dude ranches and history await. These must-explores will delight the casual and experienced equestrian alike.
unforgettable experiences
In the tallgrass and wildflowers at Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, Ilinois.
Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, Illinois
Medicine Bow National Forest, Wyoming
Illinois is nicknamed “The Prairie State,” yet less than .01 percent of the state’s original prairie remains. An hour from Chicago sits Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie, where volunteers and the U.S. Forest Service labor to restore tallgrass prairie to the largest open space in the metropolitan area. Equestrians are part of this effort, which I learned during a trail ride with the Will County Trail Riders while filming for my new PBS TV series, “Travels with Darley.” There are 20 miles of multi-use trails at Midewin that pass through areas with rich history related to Native Americans, pioneers and the U.S. Army. You can meander past bunkers from the former Joliet Arsenal, where workers produced TNT during World War II. Along the way you might encounter bison recently reintroduced to the prairie —a special sight for adventurers. Pretty purple and yellow wildflowers and open range extend as far as you can see at this 20,000-acre site. This hidden equestrian treasure isn’t far from America’s Second City, but it feels a world away.
Covering more than a million acres in southeastern Wyoming, the Medicine Bow was designated as a National Forest in 1902 and named after the local Native Americans who held powwows, performed healing rituals and sourced rich mahogany wood for their bows. There are a variety of interesting trails in the Medicine Bow, and some of the best and most accessible are along the western end of the Snowy Range Scenic Byway, about 22 miles from the town of Saratoga. For those seeking to ride and perhaps stay a while, the historic Medicine Bow Lodge operates within the Forest and offers travelers the opportunity to saddle up for short rides or overnight pack trips. This ranch has welcomed guests for a century. That a dude ranch can last that long is special in itself, and during my visit, I realized why it’s endured—the riding is incredible. Trails in this part of the Medicine Bow pass through luxuriant woodlands and glacier-carved valleys dotted with wildflowers and cut by tranquil brooks. Asters with their starry shaped flower head, Indian Paintbrush, Wyoming’s state flower, wild sage and vibrant lupine are just some of the flowers blooming during spring and summer. You’ll ride at higher elevations here and whether you choose to stay at the ranch or at a campground, you will find new trails to discover every day.
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unforgettable experiences Finger Lakes National Forest, New York New York State’s only National Forest, the Finger Lakes National Forest, is a hidden gem. The longest continuous footpath in New York, the Finger Lakes Trail, runs through the Forest and both this trail and others offer year-round riding adventures. Located between Cayuga Lake and Seneca Lake, the Forest is open to travelers who wish to bring their own horses and camp at the semiprivate Backbone Horse Camp or ride out with local stables. We saddled up with D&K Ranch owner Kelly Terry, who rescues and rehabilitates horses. Our trek took us through Horton Pasture with sweeping views down to Seneca Lake and a pretty meadow where goldenrod and colorful flowers abound in the fall. This forest was once home to farms and sawmills. Today cattle still graze on forest lands, adding to the pastoral scene. Not far outside of the Forest, breweries, wineries and locally owned restaurants give travelers a nice mix of adventure and sustenance. The town of Watkins Glen is also close to the Forest, offering adventures on Seneca Lake and making for a well-rounded National Forest adventure in state more associated with the Big Apple than long trail rides.
Gila National Forest, New Mexico Drive Southwest from Albuquerque for about six hours and not only will you drive one of the most scenic roads in the United States, but you will also be on your way to our nation’s oldest established wilderness area, located on the Gila National Forest. With 3.3 million acres and with four different life zones, the sheer size and diversity of this National Forest make exploration nearly limitless. With wilderness areas off limits to vehicles and bikes, traveling by foot or horseback are the best ways to discover the Gila Wilderness. Several ranches and outfitters operate in the Gila and a number of campgrounds have corals and troughs for horses, so travelers can ride with an established stable or bring their own horses. This National Forest offers a plethora of scenic diversity to riders, ranging from high desert to alpine forests to spectacular rock formations. You may also encounter varied wildlife, including mountain lions, bighorn sheep, javelina, black bear, wild turkey and eagles. Geronimo, lion hunter Ben Lilly, and conservationist Aldo Leopold are just a few of the notable people who have explored the Gila. While I recommend it, you don’t have to ride deep into a weathered
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canyon to feel firsthand the spirit of the Native Americans, outlaws and explorers that have trod before you. This land is rich in history and legends.
Chugach National Forest, Alaska On Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula, receding glaciers left snowcapped mountains that cascade into turquoise lakes and wild terrain where you’re more likely to spot bears and bald eagles than people. This part of southcentral Alaska is home to the Chugach National Forest, the second largest National Forest in the United States. A great way to explore this vast, but surprisingly accessible, National Forest is to take a horseback ride along the Russian Gap Trail, a route that gold seekers from Russia traversed during the 1850s. By 1896, the Kenai Peninsula was a hot spot for those with gold fever and this history is worth exploring. Alaska’s midnight sun allows for extra-long saddle days during the two months surrounding the summer solstice. I enjoyed the extra light in July, riding out from Cooper Landing with Alaska Horsemen Trail Adventures, a local outfitter that takes travelers out for rides from one hour to several days to explore the Chugach. Trails wind through forests of tall, thin trees, where you may spot moose, brown bear, black bear, or Alaska’s state bird, the ptarmigan. As you gain elevation, grand vistas open up to reveal verdant blankets of trees and stunning mountain views in this pristine area of the world where horses are very helpful in covering the craggy ground. Whether you’re an avid hiker, mountain biker or perhaps prefer driving through our Natonal Forests’ scenic byways, consider changing things up and climbing into a saddle on your next National Forest adventure. You’ll most certainly get a different take on the area, and you’ll probably see places that you never imagined you’d reach on your own.
Darley Newman is the five-time Emmy Award-nominated host, writer and producer of “Equitrekking” (www.equitrekking.com) and “Travels with Darley” (www.travelswithdarley.com) on PBS, AOL, MSN and Amazon Prime and lover of the great outdoors.
kids and nature
“We’re S-o-o Outta Here!”
Find a role model. Teens are starting to see themselves in the broader world but often struggle to see where and how they fit in. A role model— even one whom they only follow digitally—can get them interested in the outdoors and help them define themselves. Suggest they find a celebrity athlete like a rock climber, pro skier, motocross racer, or mountain biker to follow. Perhaps there’s a conservationist who inspires them like Alexandra Cousteau, the granddaughter of Jacques Cousteau, or a travel celebrity like Kellee Edwards who hosts a show on the Travel Channel called “Mysterious Islands.”
Tricks to Get Your Teen Outdoors By Greg M. Peters
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very parent knows that their kid’s teenage years can be the hardest. Teens are mobile, independent, moody and rebellious. Add to this potent mix the all-encompassing digital world that permeates today’s youth culture, and it can be hard to get teens to disconnect and get outside. But it’s important. Numerous studies have shown that kids who spend time outside are more confident, less prone to aggression, more physically fit, and generally happier than kids who don’t spend time outside. To help you get your unruly teenagers outside, we offer a few tricks that just might convince your teens to put down their phones and venture outdoors (or at least to get outside even if they still have their dang phone).
Let them be free! Some of my favorite memories as a teen include camping trips with my buddies. We’d venture into the woods behind our yards and spend the night in a tent. We were close enough that help (and the fridge) was an easy walk away, yet we felt independent and on our own. It can be hard to let your kids go it alone, but it builds independence, critical thinking skills and provides important real-world lessons.
Play to their interests. Have a teen who loves animals? Maybe one who is prepping for the zombie apocalypse? Use these interests to get them outside. Suggest volunteering at a local animal rehabilitation center or joining a conservation club. Many teens love putting their energy towards advocacy, so a local issue might get them energized and outdoors. Get your zombie-fighting teen a book on bushcraft and challenge him or her to start a fire without matches or navigate with a map and compass (because, of course, we won’t have electricity when the zombies come).
Bring the digital world into the woods. You’ve decided to go camping for the weekend only to discover that the campground does, in fact, have cell service. Roll with it. If they’re with friends or siblings who have Facebook or Instagram accounts, set up a friendly competition: the nature/action photo from the weekend with the most likes gets to pick the radio station or choose the lunch or dinner spot on the way home. Suggest they post a short “travel” video about their camping experience. Reward the best nature selfie. Whatever it takes to get them engaged in their surroundings while still getting to use their phones may make the difference between a trip they remember and one they never want to repeat.
Greg M. Peters is the NFF’s director of communications. Reach him at gpeters@ nationalforests.org (but please don’t give his email to your teen).
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voices from the forest By Greg M. Peters
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n October 2, 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed four conservation bills into law. Two established new national parks—North Cascades National Park in Washington and Redwood National Park in California. Anyone who has visited the “American Alps,” as the North Cascades are known, or the humbling beauty of California’s Redwood groves, can immediately appreciate why protecting these landscapes was so important. The other two laws, the National Scenic Trails Act and the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, established the National Scenic Trails System and the Wild and Scenic Rivers System, and forever changed how the U.S. manages and enjoys its public lands. The 1960s were, of course, a turbulent time in America. The constant pressures to develop, to dam, to control, and to manipulate were reaching their zenith. Post-war America had proven itself the most advanced, technologically powerful nation ever, and much of that power was focused on altering the landscape. The 1960s saw pushback against what was perceived by many as out-of-control development and rapid urbanization. President Johnson spoke about how America was losing its connection to nature in his remarks about the National Scenic Trails Act and the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. Urbanization had divorced many citizens from the wild landscapes that had defined America in the prior century, and development, particularly the damming of rivers, had tamed and domesticated many of America’s waterways, including portions of the Colorado River. Fortunately, a growing environmental movement galvanized behind Johnson to build support for laws that reconnected Americans to their natural heritage and that controlled the frenzy of development. Much of the President’s speech still resonates fifty years later. You’ll see in Johnson’s remarks
October 2nd, 1968: President Lyndon Johnson examines a map of “Areas Authorized for Establishment as Scenic by Act of Congress.”
that the National Forests played a key role in both acts—the first two National Scenic Trails in America cross National Forests, and five of the first eight rivers designated as Wild and Scenic flow through National Forests. Today is no different, 125 of the 208 Wild and Scenic Rivers cross National Forests and all but three of the 11 National Scenic Trails cross National Forests at some point in their route.
C O R P O R AT E PA R T N E R Vail Resorts recognizes the immense value that National Forests provide their guests and their business. The NFF salutes Vail’s long-term commitment to improving the health and recreational value of the National Forests where they operate. Through their strong participation in the NFF’s “Ski Conservation Fund,” Vail introduces hundreds of thousands of guests annually to the tremendous benefits of healthy forests.
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Your National Forests
“We kn and app ow you’ll find i nspirat reciatio ion in th n for th laws th e wisdo ese incr at have m edible r far reac shown b In the p ec h y i n l g e g i a m i s s t 50 yea plicatio lators w reational oppo protect n rt r h s s o fough , we hav for us to Go t for the unities e learne day. will com d’s precious gi se laws d—all to ft e to kno — o slowly w and c s. Because we have pr , I have, ou think—t ome to otected lov o prize r own c and left The sim an hildren to them e the great for p l a e nd gran d to ests and st pleas . have be d u t children r he wild es—and en almo rivers t healthf st impo And wh hat we ul exerc ss ere nat ise—of w ural are ible for the mil walkwa a l a l i k o s exist w ys. In m ns of Am ing in a n outdo any citi i ericans into the or setti es, ther thin the cities, w country h o l i ng v e t e in the hey are are sim side. Our his c p u i ly t s i u e ju a s t . l s o ly t no foo ry of not con designa tpaths t nec ting the wise managem h a t l ead out ted by ent of A initial e Trails, o of the c m lements ne in th ity of the N erica’s nationa e East a nents o ational l forests nd one f the Tr T i h n r a ails Sys a ils Syst A few s em: the the West, are b tem. Tw s assisted us i ummer n e A o i n p N p g high ad ational alachia set asid venture s ago, after Se Scenic n Trail e a s t h c and the retary U e down th said tha Pacific C first compoe turbu dall too t every l k e r i n e n h st Trail t d i s lovely Colorad ividual So toda ... o a f a n y R m d w i i v e ly e e v r are init on a flo , he retu cans to iating a ery family sho a t r get to k ned t trip of uld get new no of selec to know o Washington ted rive w more rivers… national polic and at least rs that y which I am sig o An unsp n e p w o r n s i i v i l s ng an a l enable er. ess outs oiled r ct today vitality more A tanding have be iver is a very r m w c h e o ri i n ch pres servati en harn are thin sewers erves se on valu essed b g by com i n e ctions this Na y dams mu will go t tion tod s. and too his way nities and by in a y . T often th unless s d ey have heir flow and So we a omebod ustries. It mak r been tu e e s y acts n es us al ta comple rned in l very fe ow to tr ment ou blishing a Nat to open y to bal a ional W r r river f u rivers i l that al ance ou ild and develop n their l rive rr Scenic R ment w fre vital co ivers Sy iver developm rs ith a po nservat e-flowing cond ent. licy to p stem w itions a ion valu hich wi reserve The Nat n e d s t . l o l s protect ections ional W to porti their w ild and of selec ons of e a S ted t c e e r n q i u c i a g R l h i i ty and o vers Sy t rivers Five of s a t t her n e t he eigh Our opp t wild a d a ribbon of la m Act will give ortunit nd scen nd alon yt ic river g each r immediate pro bold eff s are lo tection orts of S o designate th cated in iver bank. es ecretar special the Nat y Freem e scenic strea qualitie ional Fo m an and s… Now it g rest Sys his Fore s depends in l i tem. arge me ves me st Servi more to g a c r sure on e in pre eat plea the scen t s s he e u r re ving the ic wealt my littl ir very h of our to approve the e grand se bills son and c during which I all the o ountry which their liv think w I t t hers lik es.” ill add s e him w hink is going t til o mean ho will Thank y live in a so much l ou. beautifu t l Ameri o ca
Summer | Fall 2018
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where in the woods
This National Grassland rests in the rain shadow of the Cascade Mountains. Answer from page 3: The Crooked River National Grassland Photo: USFS
A
dministered as a ranger district of the Ochoco National Forest in north-central Oregon, the Crooked River National Grassland is the only National Grassland in the U.S. Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region (Oregon and Washington).
C O R P O R AT E PA R T N E R Salt River Project has been one the NFF’s longest and most consistent supporters. We’ve been working together to restore Arizona’s watersheds and forests for the past decade. We are honored to have such a long-term partner who is so committed to our National Forests and quality of life across Arizona.
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Your National Forests
Homesteaders first settled it in the 1880s, and the area formally became the Crooked River National Grassland in 1960. Today, visitors can find solitude among the steep canyons and rolling hills and buttes. With elevations ranging from 2,241 to 5,108 feet, Crooked River provides great views of the nearby Cascade Mountains, especially when spring rains make the hills lush and green.
HELP US PLANT 50 MILLION TREES
These partners have done their part to help plant millions of trees over the last several years. Will you do your part?
On Earth Day, we launched a campaign to plant 50 million trees on America’s National Forests. With your help, we can grow healthy forests for today and future generations.
Will you do your part?
nationalforests.org/50Million
Become a Friend of the Forest Today ÂŽ
Join the hundreds of thousands of Americans who help care for our National Forests. Find out where to play, stay up-to-date on conservation news and receive insider tips.
nationalforests.org