Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation Trail Rangers cleared 236 miles of trail and cut and cleared 2,428 trees on the Salmon-Challis National Forest during the 2021 field season.

Rangers also accomplished other light maintenance such as trail tread repair and water bar maintenance, a forest news release said.

The Department of Parks and Recreation also contracted with Idaho Single Track Alliance to clear an additional 95 miles of trail and cut and cleared an additional 455 trees, the release said.

In total, the Department of Parks and Recreation and partnership organizations such as Single Track Alliance, spent 21 days on the forest with crews from ranging in size from two to five people. Several hundred additional trees, that were not officially reported, were cut and cleared during this time, the release said.

“Our partnership with Idaho Parks and Recreation is vital to maintaining trails on the Forest,” Forest Supervisor Chuck Mark said in the release. “As we look to continue to provide sustainable access for Idahoans for years to come, (the Department of Parks and Recreation’s) ongoing shared stewardship of trails will be critical to providing this access.”

In addition to trail maintenance the Department of Parks and Recreation host an avalanche education course on the Salmon-Challis National Forest each winter. The department also participates in the Adopt-A-Trail Program on the Forest and in the local Salmon-Challis Trails Group meetings.

“IDPR’s Trail Rangers absolutely love to work on the Salmon-Challis National Forest,” Brian DiLenge, the department’s East Region trails specialist, said in the release. “The fun remote trails and the spectacular views make it one of our favorite places to work in the state.”

Major improvements to campgrounds, trailheads, habitat and access roads are all on the docket this summer in the Caribou-Targhee National Forest.

Four particular construction projects start in the coming weeks and are aimed at improving recreational opportunities in the northern portions of eastern Idaho.

“The benefits of recreation are astounding,” said Kaye Orme, Caribou-Targhee National Forest recreation manager. “Not only does it have health values, but studies show communities are seeing extensive economic benefits associated with recreation as well.”

Orme said the National Forest is asking visitors to “please be patient with workers as delays and access limitations may occur during construction.”

Four larger projects include one in the Cave Falls area, one at the Trail Creek Trailhead (near Dubois), a habitat improvement project in Island Park/Ashton and access road rerouting at Packsaddle Lake.

The Cave Falls project will begin July 7 and is part of a multi-year project. The campground will be closed this summer and involve hauling in and graveling the Cave Falls Road. The campground will see major renovations.

The Trail Creek Trailhead is currently closed while the access road dries out. It is anticipated to open next week. The Forest Service enlarged the site and laid down gravel for better horse trailer access and parking. New signs were installed.

“Crews are fixing water drainage issues this week with new culvert installations and hope to have everything up and running once the road dries out,” Caribou-Targhee said.

The Caribou-Targhee plans several projects to restore habitat on about 28,000 acres in the Ashton-Island Park area this summer. Plans include restoring areas for wildlife use by planting trees, rehabilitating old roadbeds to look more natural, installing natural rock barriers, and replacing or bolstering gates. The new areas will be open for non-motorized use. For more details, go online to tinyurl.com/5fb6tpbj.

The roads to the popular Packsaddle Lake west of Tetonia will get a makeover this summer. Portions of the roads and trail will be moved as well as the parking area.

“The rerouted roads and trails will meet recreation standards by reducing the steep grade and eliminating spring rain erosion and resource issues,” Caribou-Targhee said.

Find more details on these and other projects at fs.usda.gov/ctnf.

Eight young trumpeter swans were released in Yellowstone National Park’s Hayden Valley earlier this year as part of an ongoing restoration project to halt the decline of the bird inside the park.

On Sept. 19, staff from the park, the Wyoming Wetlands Society, and Ricketts Conservation Foundation released the swans at Alum Creek in Hayden Valley.

“From a high of over 60 birds and 17 territorial pairs in the early 1960s, to only four birds in 2009 and 2010, the swan population has declined for a variety of reasons,” the park said in a news release. “Researchers are collecting population data such as nest success, number of territorial pairs, and the number of cygnets produced each year. This data may help determine the reasons for the decline.”

The Teton Basin Trumpeter Swan Restoration Project, a collaborative effort in the Driggs-Victor area, recently released six cygnets (young swans) onto a protected wetland in Teton Valley.

“(We) have been monitoring them for a month and have observed them bonding with a wild swan,” the Teton Regional Land Trust said in a recent news release.

The project is a partnership between the land trust, Idaho Fish and Game, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Intermountain Aquatics and others.

The trumpeter swan is named for its musical call and is North America’s largest wild waterfowl with a wingspan of up to 8 feet, according to the park’s trumpeter webpage. The bird once nested from Alaska to northern Missouri but was nearly eliminated in the lower 48 states by 1930. About 70 birds survived in the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem and, after intensive management, recovered in the latter half of the century to about 63,000 today.

Numbers inside Yellowstone National Park show signs of rebounding after recent efforts to restore them. Swans were also released into the park in 2019.

“Recent releases and other restoration efforts have bolstered the population to over 20 birds and five territorial pairs, including natural reproduction in some years,” the park said.

Park biologists say limiting factors for swans in Yellowstone appear to be flooding of nests, predation, possibly effects of drought caused by climate change, and less immigration into the park from outside locations.

There is no hunting season for trumpeter swans in Idaho.

The park said the effort is a public/private partnership between the National Park Service, Wyoming Wetlands Society, Ricketts Conservation Foundation, and Montana State University.

A short video of the release can be seen here: facebook.com/YellowstoneNPS/posts/2948153785199956.

October marks a transition time for campgrounds and lodges in the region’s national parks and national forest campgrounds. Many sites are closing or have reduced services starting in October.

For Yellowstone National Park, some campgrounds have already closed. One exception is Madison Campground due to close Oct. 18. Most lodges in Yellowstone close after this weekend, with a few remaining open mid-month or slightly later. Shops, cafeterias and other facilities will generally close after this weekend, with the exception of Mammoth Hot Springs, which closes up later in the month. For specifics on closing times, go to nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/hours.htm.

Limited camping options are available in Grand Teton National Park starting this weekend, with most sites either closed or closing in the next few weeks. All campgrounds will be closed after Oct. 18. The park reports that campgrounds continue to fill up each day and surrounding Forest Service campgrounds are also filling up.

“Visitors should come prepared with a plan for finding a campsite and have alternate plans if campsites are not available,” the park said in a news release.

Trails, roads and pathways remain open in both Yellowstone and Grand Teton, and “fall is a great time to explore Grand Teton National Park,” the park said.

Backcountry camping is available year-round in the park with a permit. Permits can be obtained at the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center in Moose, Wyoming. The Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center closes at the end of Oct. 31, and permits can be obtained online. Go to nps.gov/grte/planyourvisit/back.htm for information.

Henrys Lake State Park campground is scheduled to close after the second Saturday in October. The docks are taken out the day before closing.

Massacre Rocks State Park campground is open year-round.

The houses, shelters and yurts at Harriman State Park have various seasons for availability. Go to parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/parks/harriman for more information.

The Lava Flow Campground at Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve closes when the Loop Road closes in late November. Contact the park for specifics.

Campgrounds across the Caribou-Targhee National Forest have begun closing with several in the Island Park area already closed. Some sites remain open without water or garbage services. Bring your own water and pack out your trash. To get specifics on the 50 campgrounds in the Caribou-Targhee, go to bit.ly/34hmUdj.

The more than 50 campgrounds in the Salmon-Challis National Forest are often remain open but run the gamut of services offered. To learn more, go to bit.ly/3itVmq5.

With the expectation of cooler temperatures in the coming weeks, fishing in East Idaho promises to heat up, and Idaho Fish and Game plans to help by stocking thousands of trout in local waters.

Local ponds and Gem Lake are scheduled to get 7,000 catchable-size rainbow trout.

“These ponds are all close to town, making them an easy after school getaway or quick weekend outing,” said James Brower of Fish and Game’s Upper Snake region. “The cooler weather and shorter days should make for some great fishing fun for the entire family.”

Here is the schedule:

• Gem Lake, 3,000, Sept. 14-18

• Trail Creek Pond, 800, Sept. 14-18

• Rexburg City Ponds, 1,200, Sept. 21-25

• Becker Pond, 1,000, Sept. 21-25

• Ryder Park Riverside Pond, 1,000, Sept. 21-25

In the Salmon area, Fish and Game plans to stock 4,500 10- to 12-inch rainbow trout next month in five different waters. Here is the rundown:

• Blue Mountain Meadow Pond, 300, Sept. 7-11

• Hayden Creek Pond, 1,500, Sept. 7-11

• Hyde Creek Pond, 600, Sept 7-11

• Kids Creek Pond, 600, Sept. 7-11

• Mosquito Flat Reservoir, 1,500, Sept. 14-18

Several thousand fish are planned to be stocked in Southeast Idaho locations next month.

Some of the highlights include:

• The Snake River near Blackfoot, Firth and Shelley, 2,000, Sept. 7-11

• Crystal Springs Pond, 750, Sept. 14-18

• Edson Fichter Pond, 750, Sept. 14-18

• Bear River (three locations), 1,750, Sept. 14-18

• Crowthers Reservoir, 1,100, Sept. 14-18

• Deep Creek Reservoir, 1,000, Sept. 14-18

• Devil Creek Reservoir, 5,150, Sept. 14-18

• Bannock Reservoir (at Portneuf Wellness Complex Pond), 1,000, Sept. 28- Oct. 2

• Montpelier Reservoir, 900, Sept. 28-Oct. 2

• Blackfoot Reservoir, 3,000, Sept. 28-Oct. 2

Fish and Game said stocking dates may fluctuate depending on the weather or staffing situations. For more information on specific waters, consult Fish and Game’s online Fish Planner.

With the expectation of cooler temperatures in the coming weeks, fishing in East Idaho promises to heat up, and Idaho Fish and Game plans to help by stocking thousands of trout in local waters.

Local ponds and Gem Lake are scheduled to get 7,000 catchable-size rainbow trout.

“These ponds are all close to town, making them an easy after school getaway or quick weekend outing,” said James Brower of Fish and Game’s Upper Snake region. “The cooler weather and shorter days should make for some great fishing fun for the entire family.”

Here is the schedule:

• Gem Lake, 3,000, Sept. 14-18

• Trail Creek Pond, 800, Sept. 14-18

• Rexburg City Ponds, 1,200, Sept. 21-25

• Becker Pond, 1,000, Sept. 21-25

• Ryder Park Riverside Pond, 1,000, Sept. 21-25

In the Salmon area, Fish and Game plans to stock 4,500 10- to 12-inch rainbow trout next month in five different waters. Here is the rundown:

• Blue Mountain Meadow Pond, 300, Sept. 7-11

• Hayden Creek Pond, 1,500, Sept. 7-11

• Hyde Creek Pond, 600, Sept 7-11

• Kids Creek Pond, 600, Sept. 7-11

• Mosquito Flat Reservoir, 1,500, Sept. 14-18

Several thousand fish are planned to be stocked in Southeast Idaho locations next month.

Some of the highlights include:

• The Snake River near Blackfoot, Firth and Shelley, 2,000, Sept. 7-11

• Crystal Springs Pond, 750, Sept. 14-18

• Edson Fichter Pond, 750, Sept. 14-18

• Bear River (three locations), 1,750, Sept. 14-18

• Crowthers Reservoir, 1,100, Sept. 14-18

• Deep Creek Reservoir, 1,000, Sept. 14-18

• Devil Creek Reservoir, 5,150, Sept. 14-18

• Bannock Reservoir (at Portneuf Wellness Complex Pond), 1,000, Sept. 28- Oct. 2

• Montpelier Reservoir, 900, Sept. 28-Oct. 2

• Blackfoot Reservoir, 3,000, Sept. 28-Oct. 2

Fish and Game said stocking dates may fluctuate depending on the weather or staffing situations. For more information on specific waters, consult Fish and Game’s online Fish Planner.

Two Idaho fishing records were recently broken by anglers fishing central and eastern Idaho waters.

On Aug. 7, Sam Hix of Bellaire, Texas, set a new catch-and-release state record for Yellowstone cutthroat trout after landing a 30.5-inch monster while fishing the Snake River in Bingham County.

“After measuring the fish and taking a quick photograph, Hix released it to swim another day,” Idaho Fish and Game said in a news release. “His fish tops the long-standing record set by Nate Ivy in 2016 (28.5 inches) and will set a very high bar for future Yellowstone cutthroat trout records.”

The other new record fish was a 19.7-inch golden trout caught by Joseph Putnam Evans in Pass Lake high in the backcountry near Leatherman Peak in the Lost River Range. Putnam and his wife Huan Zhou were backpacking in Idaho from North Carolina.

“Joseph caught the remarkable trout on July 20 using a wet fly (rigged on spinning tackle),” Fish and Game said. “After a quick measurement and photo, he released the 19.7-inch golden trout to claim a new catch/release record.”

Golden trout are native to high elevation streams and lakes of the southern Sierra Nevada mountains in California and have been planted in several Idaho alpine lakes to provide more fishing opportunities, according to Fish and Game.

Yellowstone cutthroat trout are mainly found in eastern Idaho and are native to the Snake River from Shoshone Falls upstream to its headwaters, and they are one of four subspecies found in Idaho. Idaho Fish and Game keeps state records for all game fish including Yellowstone, Bonneville, Westslope and Lahontan cutthroat subspecies.

Fish and Game started keeping catch-and-release fish records in 2016. To learn more about the program and see records on various fish caught in the state, go to idfg.idaho.gov/fish/record.

Two Idaho fishing records were recently broken by anglers fishing central and eastern Idaho waters.

On Aug. 7, Sam Hix of Bellaire, Texas, set a new catch-and-release state record for Yellowstone cutthroat trout after landing a 30.5-inch monster while fishing the Snake River in Bingham County.

“After measuring the fish and taking a quick photograph, Hix released it to swim another day,” Idaho Fish and Game said in a news release. “His fish tops the long-standing record set by Nate Ivy in 2016 (28.5 inches) and will set a very high bar for future Yellowstone cutthroat trout records.”

The other new record fish was a 19.7-inch golden trout caught by Joseph Putnam Evans in Pass Lake high in the backcountry near Leatherman Peak in the Lost River Range. Putnam and his wife Huan Zhou were backpacking in Idaho from North Carolina.

“Joseph caught the remarkable trout on July 20 using a wet fly (rigged on spinning tackle),” Fish and Game said. “After a quick measurement and photo, he released the 19.7-inch golden trout to claim a new catch/release record.”

Golden trout are native to high elevation streams and lakes of the southern Sierra Nevada mountains in California and have been planted in several Idaho alpine lakes to provide more fishing opportunities, according to Fish and Game.

Yellowstone cutthroat trout are mainly found in eastern Idaho and are native to the Snake River from Shoshone Falls upstream to its headwaters, and they are one of four subspecies found in Idaho. Idaho Fish and Game keeps state records for all game fish including Yellowstone, Bonneville, Westslope and Lahontan cutthroat subspecies.

Fish and Game started keeping catch-and-release fish records in 2016. To learn more about the program and see records on various fish caught in the state, go to idfg.idaho.gov/fish/record.

One of Idaho’s largest caves, Minnetonka Cave near Bear Lake, is opening back up for visitors starting Saturday.

The Caribou-Targhee National Forest conducts tours through the cave and will open up again under Idaho’s stage 4 reopening plan.

“The safety and health of employees, visitors, partners, volunteers, and resources remain our top priority,” said Mike Duncan, Montpelier District ranger in a news release. “We have been making operational changes in response to the changing environment.”

Visitors to the cave will be required to wear face masks or face coverings during the cave tour. Children younger than 2 will not be allowed into the cave. Tours will be limited to nine visitors and one guide.

Tours will be booked on a first-come-first-served basis starting at 10 a.m. and ending at 5:30 p.m. For information, call the Montpelier Ranger District at 435-491-0618.

The Minnetonka Cave is located in St. Charles Canyon northwest of Bear Lake. It is one of the largest limestone caves in Idaho. The cave attracts nearly 50,000 visitors each summer.