New trailhead,
bridge proposed at Fox Creek
Get involved
What?
The Ketchum Ranger District is proposing to build a new, 25- to 30-vehicle
trailhead lot at Fox Creek, north of Ketchum. The project would include
construction of a foot bridge and widening of an access road.
When?
If the project is approved, and depending on funding, the proposal could
be planned for construction by the summer of 2003.
Why?
Forest Service officials say the project would help alleviate heavy
traffic at other trailheads north of town, as well as reduce traffic at
the overused Chocolate Gulch and Hulen Meadows access points.
To
comment:
To add your two cents, send written comments by Jan. 30 to: Ketchum Ranger
District, P.O. Box 2356, Ketchum, ID 83340, Attn: Chuck Lovely.
By GREG
STAHL
Express Staff Writer
The
Sawtooth National Forest’s Ketchum Ranger District is proposing to build
a new trailhead and foot bridge across the Big Wood River, which could
help alleviate trailhead congestion in nearby residential areas.
The
proposal is to plan and build a trailhead and foot bridge at the
confluence of Fox Creek and the Big Wood, about six miles north of
Ketchum.
The purpose
of the proposal is to provide access to the Fox Creek Trail and adjoining
trail systems, said Ketchum District Recreation Staff Assistant Chuck
Lovely.
"Historically,
the Fox Creek Trail and adjoining system trails have been accessed via
Lake Creek and Adams Gulch trailheads, as well as through Chocolate
Gulch," Lovely said. "During the months of May and June, Lake
Creek trailhead is inaccessible due to high water from spring snowmelt.
Many visitors access these trails through easements in the Hulen Meadows
and Chocolate Gulch subdivisions during this period."
Lovely
pointed out that neither Chocolate Gulch nor Hulen Meadows has the
necessary parking space to handle large numbers of trail users. Because of
the popularity of the trails and their proximity to Ketchum and Sun
Valley, an additional trailhead is needed to accommodate parking when the
Lake Creek trailhead is inaccessible, he said.
Last
summer, in fact, residents of the Chocolate Gulch neighborhood balked at
the amount of traffic stacked up near the neighborhood’s access
easement. Cars lined the sides of the road and were parked on lawns.
Blaine County Sheriff Walt Femling vowed to enforce parking in the area,
but the Forest Service appears to be searching for a more permanent
solution.
Ketchum
District Ranger Kurt Nelson said that under a typical Forest Service
timeline, the project could take up to 10 years to complete because of
limited funding. Should it be approved, Blaine County and Chocolate Gulch
residents, however, have offered to help fund the project.
Nelson said
Blaine County has already committed $20,000 to $25,000 toward what could
total between $100,000 and $150,000.
If built,
the trailhead would consist of a graveled parking area accommodating 25 to
30 vehicles and a single vault toilet. A footbridge across the Big Wood
River would provide access to the Fox Creek Trail and the adjoining system
of trails.
The bridge
would be located above the 100-year flood plain, and the short National
Forest access road between the proposed trailhead, and Highway 75 would be
improved and widened during trailhead construction.
A new
trailhead in the area would greatly reduce, if not eliminate, concerns by
area residents of the public accessing the trail system through private
property, Lovely said.
If the
project is approved, and depending on funding, the proposal could be
planned for construction by the summer of 2003.