National Trails Day Opportunity, Outside Your Backdoor, North Dry Creek Trail Re-Route

Release Date: Jun 3, 2015

Contact(s): Mariah Leuschen, 406-548-1174, Marna Daley, 406-587-6703

National Trails Day Poster

Livingston, MT– The North Dry Creek Trail, situated just 12 miles southwest of Livingston on the Yellowstone Ranger District, Custer Gallatin National Forest is receiving a major facelift, re-routing approximately 2.25 miles of the old trail that is erosive, steep, unsustainable and not suitable for stock or mountain bikes. This new re-route will improve watershed health, reduce erosion and benefit a variety of non-motorized recreationists including hikers, mountain bikers, hunters and horseback riders heading into the east side of the Gallatin Range.  To help put the finishing touches on this trail, a volunteer National Trails Day event is scheduled for Saturday, June 6. Volunteers will meet at the Forest Service office in Livingston at 9:00 a.m.

In collaboration with the Forest Service, major partners on this project include the Southern Montana Resource Advisory Committee, Park County Community Foundation, the Livingston Bicycle Club and the Wilderness Recreation Partnership.  Additional in-kind and funding support is being provided by the Wilderness Society, Greater Yellowstone Coalition, Timber Trails, Montana Wilderness Association, Wildwood Trails, Katabatic Brewing and individual contributors.

“The North Dry Trail project is a tremendous example of what is possible when mountain bikers, horseman, businesses and conservationists collaborate together on a shared vision for the future; improving access for all while respecting the wild qualities of the Gallatin Range,” said Joe Josephson, Montana Conservation Associate, Greater Yellowstone Coalition. 

With spectacular subalpine flower meadows for wildflower enthusiasts and breath-taking views across Paradise Valley to the Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness, future projects will hopefully, eventually offer a better connection to the West Pine Trail as well as other potential loop opportunities. 

“I am very excited about this trail and hope that others will come out, see it, work with us and realize what wonderful accomplishments are possible through community cooperation and involvement,” said John Greene, President of the Livingston Bike Club. “With very few mountain bike trails in Park County, the location of this trail is a huge plus for local mountain bikers. Volunteers who come out and participate will feel a sense of ownership and pride in this new trail.”  

The old trail is now closed and will be reclaimed. Parking and access for the new trail is at Lower North Dry Trailhead, which is 3 miles from the turnoff on the Trail Creek Road.  For more information, contact the Forest Service Yellowstone Ranger District Office in Livingston, at (406) 222-1892, for volunteer information contact Joe Josephson at:  406-556-2812.  For general information on the Custer Gallatin National Forest visit online at:  www.fs.usda.gov/custergallatin or follow on facebook at:  Custer Gallatin National Forest.

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