The Forest Service is cutting its seasonal workforce to the bone

Forest Service crew clearing obstruction from Moran Creek Tr No. 2, July 15, 2023 - W. K. Walker

Forest Service crew clearing obstruction from Moran Creek Tr No. 2, July 15, 2023 – W. K. Walker

Here is a very concerning discussion of next year’s Forest Service seasonal worker hiring freeze. Note that this affects the regular seasonal employees. The recently established “permanent seasonal” employees will still have work, although there will be no money for additional duties. And there is still money to staff the fire crews. Still, this portends a difficult trail maintenance season next year.

…The agency relies on a large, often underappreciated army of seasonal or temporary workers who clean bathrooms and campgrounds, empty trash cans, maintain trails, welcome people at visitor centers and do critical research work on the environment.

These employees help monitor the health of the public waters and forests that the agency oversees, clearing brush and trees that pose wildfire danger and monitoring the health of Alaska’s sockeye salmon. The Forest Service-managed portions of the Appalachian Trail that were damaged by Hurricane Helene will likely be repaired by temporary workers. (Hikers are currently advised to stay off over 800 miles of the Appalachian Trail.)

Next summer, however, most of these tasks will be performed by other staff — or else not done at all…

Continue reading . . .

Glacier View & Hungry Horse trail condition reports for October 4 posted

Thoma-Tuchuck Tr No 19 Trailhead Signage, Oct 6, 2024 - W. K. Walker

Thoma-Tuchuck Tr No 19 Trailhead Signage, Oct 6, 2024 – W. K. Walker

The October 4, 2024 Forest Service Trail Condition Reports for the Glacier View and Hungry Horse Ranger Districts have been posted to the website Trail Conditions page.

These reports contain a fair amount of useful information. Besides trail conditions, they include trail numbers, their official names and end-to-end mileages. The reports may also list information on trail and area closures, especially during fire season.

The current fire danger at the time of this post was LOW.

Glacier View & Hungry Horse trail condition reports for September 16 posted

Whitefish Divide Tr #26 trailhead on Red Meadow Road (FS 115), July 23, 2023 - W. K. Walker

Whitefish Divide Tr trailhead on Red Meadow Road (FS 115), July 23, 2023 – W. K. Walker

The September 16, 2024 Forest Service Trail Condition Reports for the Glacier View and Hungry Horse Ranger Districts have been posted to the website Trail Conditions page.

These reports contain a fair amount of useful information. Besides trail conditions, they include trail numbers, their official names and end-to-end mileages. The reports may also list information on trail and area closures, especially during fire season.

The current fire danger at the time of this post was MODERATE.