YOUTH CONSERVATION CORPS - Montana Conservation Corps

YOUTH CONSERVATION CORPS
Bridger-Teton National Forest, Greys River Ranger District
YCC Program Description
The Bridger Teton National Forest and Montana Conservation Corps are partnering to create a
summer Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) opportunity for young adults 15 to 18 years of age.
These three week long residential programs will combine Forest Service work projects with
recreational, educational, and leadership opportunities. Members will work and camp together
as a crew of 6 members and 2 leaders camping throughout the Greys River Ranger District.
“Not only did MCC give me the chance to accomplish tasks that not many adults or teens can
say they did at my age, but I was surrounded by positive energy and the unshakeable
want/need to help our community and the sharing of knowledge.” 2014 MCC Participant
Summary of Work to be Accomplished
The crews would be utilized for heavy maintenance of trail tread on high country foot, horse,
and motorized trails and for watershed protection projects along trails and roadways where
increased use has been creating resource concerns. The Box Canyon Trail, for example, begins
45 miles up the gravel road that parallels the Greys River, and a shady dispersed campsite area
at the trailhead and a Ranger Station would accommodate the entire crew. The beginning of
the trail requires a slight relocation to move out of a stream-captured abandoned roadbed and
up onto a bench for approximately ¼ mile. The upper reaches of the 5-mile trail traverse some
talus slopes on side-hills, and these areas are in need of rock removal and tread repair. The top
of this trail connects to the 70-mile Wyoming Range National Recreation Trail, with the highest
point, the Wyoming Peak and lookout, just 6 miles away. The Marten Creek Trail, 6 miles in the
opposite direction, experienced heavy blowdown last winter and some clearing effort is needed
to allow hikers to stay on established trail and away from the creek.
As part of a historic site rehabilitation effort along the National Historic Lander Trail,
participants would rebuild a gravesite protection fence and install explanatory signing, then
create a trailhead re-route around a beaver-pond expansion. Camping for this project is
approximately 4 miles up the Smiths Fork road at an old CCC camp location. The crews would
likely be split for this second portion and half the participants would be assisting with
rehabilitating and rebuilding the landmark Periodic Spring picnic and interpretive site just
outside Afton, Wyoming. The spring is the largest cold-water geyser in the world. A nearby
USFS campground can provide temporary lodging and a staging area. Other work as time
allows includes campground maintenance, fence repair and or installation, and trail signage.
The public will be solicited for their input and suggestions on what projects they would
recommend under this wonderful program in April.
Length of Program and Dates
3 weeks, 6/28/15 – 7/17/15 and 7/26/15 – 8/14/15
Greys River Ranger District Contact Information:
Richard Raione, District Ranger, (307) 886-5310
Montana Conservation Corps Contact Information:
Chris Nesset, Greater Yellowstone Regional Director, (406) 546-0151
Where to Apply: www.mtcorps.org/join/expedition