Trail 038 is open to motorized use

Work on the Beaver Lakes segment of trail 038 is complete and the segment is once again open to motorized use. In 2018, approximately three-miles of the eleven-mile motorized portion of the Solitude Loop Trail 038 was closed to motorized use, according to a USFS press release.  

The purpose of the closure was to protect public health, public safety, and soil resources from harm due to degraded trail conditions and maintenance needs. Terms of the closure decision stated the trail would be temporarily closed for five years; if funding was secured and volunteers were found to complete the necessary maintenance, the trail would reopen to motorcycle use. The affected trail segment is located west from the junction with trail 033 in T52N, R85W, sections 14, 21, 22, and 23.

For over three days, Forest Service employees, members of the Wyoming State Trail crew, and nine volunteers worked to repair a rockslide and complete tread work.  The volunteers donated over 85 hours towards completion of the project. The group established approximately six rolling dips, armored areas where drainage wasn’t possible, reestablished the original route, and rehabilitated the tread by eliminating braids, clearing loose rock, and brushing the corridor. 

“Thank you for the hard work and dedication of these volunteers,”  District Ranger, Amy Ormseth said. “This project is a great example of people working together and doing their part in caring for the land.  Users continue to have access to a favorite trail and the resource is protected from the impacts of that use.”

For more information contact Amy Ormseth at the Tongue Ranger District in Sheridan, WY at (307) 674-2600.