Clearing Trails Improves Outdoor Opportunities for Libby Locals

The Libby Ranger District of Kootenai National Forest has more than 1,100 miles of trails, including 55 miles of the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail. For U.S. Forest Service staff, it can be a challenge keeping up with those trails. Many paths are currently inaccessible due to yearly clearing backlogs, a problem without a clear remedy given Kootenai National Forest’s limited staff and budget. Members of Cabinet Back Country Horsemen, a local horseback recreation advocacy group, had the idea to hire a contractor to clear trails in the Libby area, working with the Forest Service to expedite trail maintenance and open more areas to horseback riding, hiking, biking, and hunting. LOR’s funding helped Cabinet Back Country Horsemen hire a contractor to clear approximately 15 miles of trails on the east side of Koocanusa Reservoir, opening up paths that were nearly impassible after more than a decade without maintenance. If the Forest Service deems the project a success, it could become a model for further collaboration between the agency and local groups, with everyone working toward a common goal that benefits Libby residents and public lands.

This project was fiscally sponsored by Kootenai Country Montana.