Sawtooth Trail Plan

Sun., March 10, 1996

Associated Press

Wilderness

Considerable controversy surrounds the Forest Service’s proposed restrictions on trails in the 217,000-acre Sawtooth Wilderness Area in Idaho.

“I knew there were concerns,” Sawtooth National Recreation Area Ranger Paul Reis said after a three-hour public meeting in Twin Falls. “I did not understand the depth of them or the fear of them.”

No final decisions on the plan have been made, he told the capacity audience.

Wilderness Ranger Liese Dean of Hailey said the purpose of the plan is to stop or reduce the effects of the area’s users, now up to about 35,000 a year.

By closing selected trails to livestock, Dean said, hikers would have a better wilderness experience. Also, fragile areas would be better protected.

“There’s no need to close the trails,” said High Desert Back Country Horseman President Bob Powers, urging better education of users, better management and more use of volunteer labor.

The plan is expected to go into effect this summer.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.