Yellowstone National Park Proposing To Improve Heart Lake And Basin Creek Cutoff Trails

Yellowstone National Park officials are seeking public comments on a proposal to complete routine trail work on segments of the Heart Lake and Basin Creek Cutoff trails in the southeastern corner of the park.

The project will focus on the area where the two trails connect to the portion of the Heart Lake Trail that skirts Sheridan Lake. The main intent of the project will be to avoid areas flooded by recent beaver colonization in the area. This will be achieved by rerouting the trail away from dammed areas of creeks, and will necessitate the construction of a new trail section approximately 2.5 miles in length.

Additionally, crews will install a system of drains and retainers on the trail. The project would be completed by National Park Service staff in partnership with the Montana Conservation Corps. Funding for the project is being considered through the Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources Recreational Trails Program.

Written comments should be received no later than October 29, 2012, and mailed to Bill Hopkins, Backcountry Trails Office, P.O. Box 168, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, 82190. Emails may be sent to