Fox Creek trailhead to be built this
summer
By GREG STAHL
Express Staff Writer
Following more than a year of
environmental review, the U.S. Forest Service has approved plans to build a foot
bridge across the Big Wood River and a trailhead to access the Fox Creek-area
trail system, south of North Fork. It could be built late this summer or early
this fall.
"The idea for a trailhead facility here at
Fox Creek is not a new one," said Ketchum District Ranger Kurt Nelson. "Back in
1971, the Forest Service purchased the existing Forest Service access road
easement in order to provide the public with access from State Highway 75 to the
National Forest.
"This was done with the foresight of
developing a trailhead when the need arose. Today, that need is very evident."
Nelson said existing public parking and
access points to the popular 20-mile Fox Creek trail system have become
insufficient.
"This has resulted in conflicts between
trail users, resource damage, as well as trespassing onto adjacent private
land," Nelson wrote in his decision.
The Fox Creek trail system comprises
popular trails that include the Oregon, Chocolate and North Fork loops. The
system provides recreation opportunities to more than 20,000 hikers, mountain
bikers, runners and equestrians. The new trailhead will be about six miles north
of Ketchum and about a half mile west of Highway 75.
The project will include construction of a
7,500-square-foot gravel parking area accommodating 15 to 20 vehicles and three
to four vehicles with trailers. In response to concerns from neighbors, the
Forest Service reduced the number of parking spaces from original proposals, but
the plan leaves options open to add an additional nine to 10 spaces if they are
needed.
The project will also include a 90-foot
footbridge over the Big Wood River, and an unimproved access road will be
widened and surfaced to mitigate water runoff. A culvert or asphalt water ford
will also be installed at a low-lying portion of the road.
Finally, a vault toilet will be installed.
"This is one of the most popular trail
systems that we have in the wood River Valley," Nelson said. "The Fox Creek
system is important from the standpoint that it really helps to distribute use
in this area. It also helps to relieve pressure from adjacent trailheads, such
as the one in Chocolate Gulch, which is located in a subdivision."
While homeowners near the new trailhead
location were skeptical about additional public use in their neighborhood,
Blaine County commissioners, a local trail advocacy group and Chocolate Gulch
homeowners all said the improved access makes sense.
Nelson’s decision under the National
Environmental Policy Act of "no significant impact" for the project is subject
to a 45-day appeal period.