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Abstract
Trail construction and reconstruction utilizing stock is rare in the eastern United States. The Hoosier National Forest is the only forest in the Eastern Region of the Forest Service with its own pack string. The Hoosier is also the only forest in the eastern United States to utilize pack strings from western forests to complete trail work within wilderness. For the past 4 years, the Hoosier National Forest has taken great strides to improve trail and resource conditions in the Charles C. Deam Wilderness and to provide opportunities for solitude and an overall quality recreation experience for forest visitors. To improve conditions, the forest has partnered with the Bridger-Teton National Forest in the Intermountain Region of the Forest Service to provide two packers and a mule string of eight animals for the month of May each of the past 4 years. During this time, 13 miles (21 km) of trail have been constructed and over 600 tons of gravel have been moved using only a mule string and hand tools.
Parent Publication
Keywords
wilderness,
biodiversity,
protected areas,
economics,
subsistence,
tourism,
traditional knowledge,
community involvement,
policy,
stewardship,
education,
spiritual values
Citation
Sandeno, Eric. 2007. Use of stock to maintain and construct trails in the eastern United States. In: Watson, Alan; Sproull, Janet; Dean, Liese, comps. Science and stewardship to protect and sustain wilderness values: Eighth World Wilderness Congress symposium; September 30-October 6, 2005; Anchorage, AK. Proceedings RMRS-P-49. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 316-318
