Working on the trails of the Custer Gallatin National Forest gave me a new perspective on the amount of effort that goes into maintaining the places people come to enjoy. Based out of the Bozeman Ranger District, I spent my internship working on trails throughout the Bridger Mountains and Hyalite Canyon. I also spent several hitches working deep in the Spanish Peaks, where I experienced a different side of trail work and wilderness.
As part of the trail crew, much of our work focused on clearing trails, improving their longevity, and creating a better experience for trail users. I also spent time monitoring campsites and social trails. This gave me a better understanding of how visitors interact with the wilderness and how recreation can impact these areas over time. Before this internship, I enjoyed being outdoors, but I had never really thought about how much work goes into maintaining trails and protecting the places surrounding them. After spending long days working in the forest, I developed a much greater appreciation for the people who take care of these places.
One of my first hitches was four days long, and we spent most of our time building a turnpike. I really enjoyed this project because I could see the progress we were making each day. Building a turnpike took a lot of physical work and teamwork, but seeing the finished section of trail made it worth the effort. It was one of my first experiences seeing how a trail crew can make a lasting improvement to the landscape.
Our longest hitch was eight days, and much of that time was spent doing rock work. This was some of the most challenging work I experienced during my internship. Moving and placing rocks was physically demanding, and it required patience and good communication with the rest of the crew. Even though it was difficult, it ended up being one of my favorite hitches. There was something rewarding about finishing a challenging section and knowing that the work we put in would help the trail last for years to come.
Along the way, I also gained skills that I had never had the opportunity to learn before, including chainsaw training, crosscut saw work, and first aid. These skills helped me become more comfortable working in remote areas and gave me a better understanding of what it takes to safely work on trails.
