USFS may reroute Pacific Northwest Trail

BONNERS FERRY - Did you know that a national scenic trail crosses through Boundary County? In the same ranks as the Appalachian Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail, the Pacific Northwest (NW) National Scenic Trail was officially recognized by Congress in 2009.

More than 1,200 miles long, the Pacific NW Trail originates near the Continental Divide in Glacier National Park and traverses roads, trails and unmarked countryside through Montana, Idaho and Washington to a terminus at Cape Alava on the Pacific Coast.

"This one is more remote than others," said Matt McGrath, Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail program manager, about the trail. "People will see a lot of different things along the trail."

"A unique aspect of the trail is you really get a chance to walk through the history of the Pacific Northwest," said Becky Blanchard, USFS.

The concept of the trail has been around since 1970 and many people have hiked the trail despite "gray" areas on the map. In areas where no trails exist, a dotted line with the word "cross-country" adorns the map and lets hikers determine their own route to the next known point. The Selkirk Mountains are one area bearing that dotted line.

In the original plan, the Pacific NW Trail enters the Selkirk Mountains on the Parker Ridge trail where it connects to the Pyramid Lake and Ball Lakes trail. Then hikers decide how to reach the Lion Creek Trail on the Priest River side of the mountains where the trail continues up Lookout Mountain.

The ideal location of the trail through the Selkirk Mountains and other "cross-country" sections is being discussed as the U.S. Forest Service works on writing the management plan for the trail. The management plan sets the tone for the next 20 to 30 years, said McGrath.

The route through Boundary County is unofficial at this point, according to McGrath, who is working with local Forest Service personnel for input. The original plan places the trail coming into Boundary County at Spread Creek in Canuck basin, then following the Ruby Ridge trail and other trails to the Kootenai Valley where it crosses at Copeland and connects to the Parker Ridge trail.

"This isn't an optimum location," said Pat Hart, Bonners Ferry Ranger District's trails and recreation program leader. "It's like they took a crayon and drew a line on the map."

Hart and Steve Petesch, USFS, brainstormed seven different routes across the county but have concerns with each one including homeland security and endangered species. Hart explained they are trying to avoid the Kreist Creek area that is currently the route because it is the District's motorized area and she doesn't want the motorized routes jeopardized in case the trail is designated non-motorized.

Hart also plans to meet with the Sandpoint and Priest Lake Ranger Districts to determine the best route between districts. By the end of the year, Hart hopes to have a preliminary route decided upon.

"Communities and the public can provide input at all stages," McGrath said. "We are really interested in folks being involved as much as possible."

The lack of trails over the Selkirk Mountains provides a challenge for designating a route but that hasn't deterred thru-hikers. Ten to fifteen thru-hikers tackle the trail each year, according to Blanchard. Most begin in early July in Glacier National Park and hike two to three months to reach the coast.

During the 1,206-mile hike, thru-hikers hike through seven national forests, three national parks, BLM land, wilderness areas, state land, private land (mainly timber company land), Tribal land and on roads. The majority of the trail is on federal land with 850 miles crossing USFS, NPS and BLM land.

One of the benefits of the national trail for local Ranger Districts is that funding for trail maintenance is available through the federal government and not from local Forest Service budgets explained McGrath. The funding would come from a "shared pot" available to all National Scenic Trails explained Hart.

Another benefit is providing communities along the trail with recreational-based economy, McGrath said.

"The national trail system is big on collaboration and big on working with people," McGrath said. "Our goal is to fit in and make things better."

Collaboration for the trail's management plan begins with the formation of an Advisory Council comprised of agency representatives and non-government representatives from along the trail. The Advisory Council will work to refine the route, determine trail uses, address wildlife concerns and look at impacts of the trail.

The first advisory council meeting will be in the spring of 2015 followed by public scoping. McGrath tentatively would like to see a draft comprehensive management plan completed in 2016 with it available for public comment in 2017.

"We're not trying to change local land uses," McGrath said. "The trail is designed to promote recreation and include wilderness and working landscapes."

For more information on the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail visit www.pnt.org or to see a map, click on this link: www.pnt.org/maps/map-pnt.gif

Volunteers sought

The USFS is seeking volunteers to serve on the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail Advisory Council. For more information on how to apply, visit www.fs.usda.gov/main/pnt/working-together/advisory-committees. Applications must be received by Sept. 30.