Panhandle Riders Association-Access Issues
Sandpoint Ranger District Grants
Mary Ann Hamilton with the Sandpoint Ranger District has a couple of grant applications submitted for state funding for some projects. The first is a pretty big deal for us. It involves the North Gold Creek trail, also known as the 111 trail or the Cedars trail. This trail is off the 278, about 5 miles past the Happy Hermit. This is a really cool trail, it runs through some old cedar groves, with some bridges to cross. Currently the last three miles or so of this trail is too narrow for ATV traffic. The grant in question will widen the trail to ATV standards. This will allow a connecting route between the 278 and the 332 (Bunco Road), offer us more opportunities for loop rides.The second grant request is for a toilet at the Porcupine Lake trailhead. This will be the first one on Lightning Creek road, and replaces the one that was at Porcupine Lake. That site is inaccessible to service. The Panhandle Riders Association has supplied letters of support for both of these projects.
Champion Creek Trail Closure
Champion Creek is a popular trail in the Wallace area, and draws riders from many areas. The trail offers some great views, and has terrain that provides a degree of interest to the experienced rider. It also provides a loop from the lower part of Moon Pass road towards the Lookout Pass area, and offers access to Mullan for a convenient hot lunch.
Unfortunately, this trail is slated for closure per the St. Joe Ranger District's draft travel management plan. Various clubs and individuals have contacted the forest service in an attempt to reverse this decision. There has been some degree of progress; the forest service is at least considering this trail for designation. It is important to give the forest service input in regard to keeping this trail open. The contact person is Cornie Hudson, and her email is chudson@fs.fed.us. This link has a discussion about the Champion Creek trail: link.
Currently, the trail is closed on the Montana side of the border. This closure is about 1/2 mile long, and occurs after about 10 miles of trail riding...and prevents access to a road system near I-90, preventing a loop ride to Mullan. The last 2 pictures above show this. However, the closure is pretty "mild", only modest sized rocks have been placed to block the trail and small trees dropped across it. If we succeed in getting the Idaho side of the trail open, we are in much better shape to negotiate with Montana.