National bike trail heading to Worland

From the office of Wyoming Outdoor Recreation, Amy Crawford and Sherry Joslyn led the monthly Bighorn Basin Outdoor Recreation Collaborative (BBORC) meeting in Basin on Monday, Feb. 12.

Rails-to-Trails project manager Kevin Belle was a guest speaker during the meeting and spoke about the Great American Rail-Trail, which plans to go through Worland.

According to the Rails-to-Trails website, “The Great American Rail-Trail® is the nation’s first cross-country multiuse trail, stretching more than 3,700 miles between Washington, D.C., and Washington State.” The trail will traverse 12 states, including Wyoming. However, out of the 509 planned trail miles in Wyoming, there are currently only 17 existing miles of the trail.

“Specifically in Wyoming, [Rails-to-Trails] wanted to get more work done in some of the towns along the way, especially in the Big Horn Basin, because you all are so active and we have created a good rapport with you,” said Belle.

Belle said that during a past meeting, BBORC unanimously voted for Worland to be the town in the Big Horn Basin that Rails-to-Trails will connect with to identify potential route options.

“A study is going to be starting now. It’ll be done in August, and the goal will be to identify the most viable corridor through Worland and ideally get at least a part of the project to be ready for some sort of funding application for 2025,” said Belle. Belle noted that a big part of the project will be getting local input and thoughts on viable route options.

PROJECT UPDATES

Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area Chief of Interpretation Christy Fleming said that for the Bighorn River Blueway Trail Project, they are in the early stages of planning community involvement days for the summer season. They are hoping to plan another float day, potentially in Thermopolis, and a river clean-up day. Fleming said dates and locations have not been determined.

Wyoming Pathways representative Grace Templeton said that the Bureau of Land Management, Wyoming Pathways and the Town of Lovell have been in communication about expanding the trail system in Lovell. Templeton said that a few areas are under consideration, including the Cottonwood Creek trailhead and campground.

WILLOW PARK

Tensleep Nowood Trailbreakers (TNT) president C.J. Grimes brought up issues occurring at Willow Park, located in Tensleep Canyon. According to Grimes, the parking lot at Willow Park is plowed infrequently and can become difficult to access when snow accumulates. Grimes added that TNT would be willing to plow the lot if needed and if an agreement is in place.

According to Bighorn National Forest winter sports coordinator Jeff Gehring, the Forest Service previously provided funding for the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) to plow the parking lot, along with lots that are frequently accessed for winter recreation. However, Gehring said the Forest Service no longer has the funding to do so.

WYDOT representative Scott Taylor said that WYDOT’s highest plowing priorities are highways, which results in turnouts and parking lots being plowed later than highways. Taylor additionally said that WYDOT being understaffed and underfunded in that area is an issue that plays a part.

Also at Willow Park, Grimes said that trail signage at junctions are beginning to fade and receive damage, and should be replaced soon. Gehring acknowledged the need and said that the Bighorn National Forest is hoping to create and implement a coordinated sign plan for their all Nordic recreation areas, including Willow Park, within the next few years.