PNFTrailCrew2015 See the whole report
2015 Trail Accomplishment end of season report 
Eagles Nest Trail Project
District: Cascade
Trail No. 11104
Background:
The Eagles Nest Trail was inspected on November 13, 2013. The trail was inspected from the boundary of Idaho State Land and Boise National Forest where the 400 road parallels the trail. The Eagles Nest trail is a moderate to high use trail located in a remote are on the Cascade Ranger District
Purpose and Need:
The project is located approximately 1 mile from a parking area along the 400 road. The trail crosses several small ridges and descends to the first stream and Stream Environment Zone (SEZ). The SEZ area is approximately 15 yards long. The trail then ascends up and over a small hill to the next SEZ. The length of the second SEZ is approximately 53 yards. The trail ascends out of the marshy area and heads northeast. The approaches to both areas are very steep and incised. The grades exceed 25% and there are large quantities of sediment entering the SEZs and the perennial stream that runs across the trail. The wet areas are highly impacted and have significant trail braiding from users trying to find a better route. The total length of the project is approximately 425 yards.
The reconstruction of this section will improve public safety, reduce significant ongoing resource damage, and improve the overall user experience.
Completed Repair: The project is currently under construction. The estimated time of completion is mid-October.
– Realignment and construction of approximately ¼ miles of new trail
– Decommissioning and restoration of ¼ miles of existing trail
– Construction of two Puncheon/Causeways approximately 70 yards long
Project in the Yellow Pine Area
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Idaho Land Sales: A Prediction of the Future?
by Tony Hansen
For months now, the debate over whether states should be given ownership of Federally-owned lands has raged. Proponents of the move say the Federal government is incapable of properly managing the land and claim the ground should be returned to state control and that doing so would mean only improved management and not a public lockout.
Opponents say that doing so would almost certainly mean a net loss in access by the public.
So which side is telling a closer version of the truth?
Perhaps we can look to Idaho for historical insight.
The Wilderness Society recently filed a public records request for an analysis of the Idaho Department of Lands. What they found is interesting indeed.
Since 2000, the state of Idaho has sold more than 100,000 acres of publicly-owned land. The buyers? Timber companies, cattle ranchers, lakeside homeowners and privately-owned fishing clubs along the banks of prime trout waters.
That 100,000-plus acres is part of more than 1.7 million acres of public land the state has sold of the roughly 4.25 million acres Idaho received at statehood. That’s a sell-through rate of roughly 41 percent.
History is clear on what will happen if our national public lands are given to the state, Brad Brooks, The Wilderness Society’s Boise-based deputy regional director told the Idaho Statemen. They’re almost certain to end up in hands that will lock the public out.
Cover Story: Getaway Horse Play – Your Horse Wants To Go!
Equine Wellness: Barefoot, Shod or Boots?
Getting Help in a Backcountry Emergency
Trainer’s Corner: Becoming a Student
The Adventures of Spanky and Dally
Back Country Horsemen of Washington – Joe Watt Canyon Ride
Spring time in Kittitas County finds the elk herds leaving their winter feeding grounds, early spring flowers in full bloom and the annual Back Country Horsemen of Washington Joe Watt Canyon Prize Ride. This year the ride will be May 14th, with camping available both before and after the ride – a Discover Pass is required for this area. This beautiful, popular ride travels the foot hills of the LT Murray elk feeding station, giving vast mountain views and rolling hills of wild flowers in bloom. Riders will enjoy lots of single track trail mixed with abandoned roads for 3 hours of riding. Mixed in along the ride route are manned stations offering games of skill to the participants so that they may hopefully build a winning poker hand good enough to win one of the many prizes being offered back at camp.
This year’s ride proceeds will go to help fund BCHW Tahoma Chapter to complete trail projects in the Norse Peak Wilderness. The ride flier with all the information is posted at www.bchw.org and on Facebook at BCHW Joe Watt Canyon Prize Ride