Trail Talk: A Window into Grand Teton National Park's Youth Conservation Program, Week 5

While the contrary may seem true, hiking trails do not simply build themselves.  Trail design, construction and maintenance take expertise, as well as a lot of work.  Grand Teton National Park's Youth Conservation Program (YCP) students learn firsthand all that it takes and more.  During the ten week program, the teens build trails, remove debris, install bear-resistant containers, repair historic sites, pull exotic weeds, clear vegetation, learn stone masonry, and build fences all while hiking miles of the park each day. 

This week's "Trail Talk" features Grand Teton National Park YCP Trail Crew Leader Alex St. Clair and his take on their voracious desire to learn.  Watch the following one-minute video to hear in Alex's own words:

As funders of YCP, Grand Teton National Park Foundation could not be more proud of Alex's assessment, as he articulates, "They've already come so far and they're asking the hard questions.  They truly want to know more and they want to know why.  They want to know why the park does something this way.  Why does the fire crew do it this way?  Why does the trail crew do it this way?  What is the purpose?".

More to come next week!

About the Youth Conservation Program
Since its inception in 2006, over 120 young men and women, 16 to 19 years old have worked, earned, and learned in the highly successful ten week program that is held each June to August in Grand Teton. In seven seasons, the students have contributed over 50,000 hours of labor improving visitors' experiences in the park. Participants build trails, remove debris, install bear-resistant containers, repair historic sites, pull exotic weeds, clear vegetation, learn stone masonry, and build fences all while hiking miles of the park each day. Collaborative park teams work with the YCP teens to provide a unique education in park history, fire, safety, and rescue training.

About Grand Teton National Park Foundation
Established in 1997, Grand Teton National Park Foundation provides private financial support for special projects that enhance and protect Grand Teton National Park’s treasured cultural, historic, and natural resources.  Since its inception, the Foundation has raised more than $23 million for special projects that benefit Grand Teton and visitors.

About Grand Teton National Park
Located in northwestern Wyoming, Grand Teton National Park preserves a spectacular landscape rich with majestic mountains, pristine lakes and extraordinary wildlife. The park's world-renowned scenery attracts nearly four million visitors per year and offers an array of recreational activities for all ages and all abilities.

Trail Talk: A Window into Grand Teton National Park's Youth Conservation Program, Week 4

Crew leader Alex St. Clair reports another great week for YCP! Work near the Lupine Meadows trailhead (asphalt removal/causeway construction) continues and is nearing completion.  The trail has been officially re-opened and the crew will return to put finishing touches on the project later in the season.

The crew spent Tuesday going through a series of stations with the Jenny Lake Rangers: Grand Teton's experts on search and rescue.  YCP teens learned about rigging and mechanical advantages and how to properly pack and transport a patient in a litter.  They also spent some time on the climbing wall.  

After the educational component, the rangers grilled hot dogs and cheeseburgers and everyone enjoyed a nice lunch. Then the "ship" (helicopter) came in and the crew was allowed to poke around inside and got a basic rundown on heli-operations. The day with the JL Rangers culminated with a short haul demonstration, which everyone enjoyed thoroughly (summarized by Alex St. Clair, "who doesn't like helicopters?!").

On Wednesday and Thursday, the crew split up with a majority going north to Two Ocean Lake Road to do some fire prevention work with some of the area's fire experts, including the fuels crew from the Blackrock Ranger Station, Engine 3, Engine 4, the fire effects crew, and a handful of the fire officers. The YCP crew served as 'swampers,' spreading brush and rolling and carrying logs. During these days of hard work, the 'fire dawgs' provided the crew with some great information about what their jobs as firefighters entail.

This week, a special thank you goes to our corporate donors who have provided support for youth engagement in Grand Teton through generous funding for YCP:
Coca-Cola
Patagonia
U.S. Bank
Vail Resorts

About the Youth Conservation Program 
Since its inception in 2006, over 120 young men and women, 16 to 19 years old have worked, earned, and learned in the highly successful ten week program that is held each June to August in Grand Teton. In seven seasons, the students have contributed over 50,000 hours of labor improving visitors' experiences in the park. Participants build trails, remove debris, install bear-resistant containers, repair historic sites, pull exotic weeds, clear vegetation, learn stone masonry, and build fences all while hiking miles of the park each day. Collaborative park teams work with the YCP teens to provide a unique education in park history, fire, safety, and rescue training.

About Grand Teton National Park Foundation 
Established in 1997, Grand Teton National Park Foundation provides private financial support for special projects that enhance and protect Grand Teton National Park’s treasured cultural, historic, and natural resources.  Since its inception, the Foundation has raised nearly $23 million for special projects that benefit Grand Teton and visitors.

About Grand Teton National Park 
Located in northwestern Wyoming, Grand Teton National Park preserves a spectacular landscape rich with majestic mountains, pristine lakes and extraordinary wildlife. The park's world-renowned scenery attracts nearly four million visitors per year and offers an array of recreational activities for all ages and all abilities.

Trail Talk: A Window into Grand Teton National Park's Youth Conservation Program, Week 3

Last week's activities included a morning with the park's Interpretation department on an interpretive and interactive hike.  The crew then spent the afternoon brushing an overgrown section of the Taggart Lake Trail. They also spent two days at Wister Draw putting the finishing touches on an eroding horse trail by installing slope retaining walls and log checks, de-compacting old, abandoned trail and removing invasive species (hounds tongue) around the Wister Draw trail. They also cut more than 30 notches with cross cuts, chisels and draw knives for the Lupine Meadows project.

 Week 3's participant testimonial comes from returning member MacKenzie Epperson-Valum: when asked why she enjoyed performing the finishing details on trail work she responded, "Well, because I get to use my favorite tool (the McLeod), and it makes everything so beautiful!"  Thanks to MacKenzie and the rest of the crew from all of us who love hiking on Grand Teton's beautiful trails!

We would also like to recognize our 2013 youth program in-kind supporters who provided high-quality clothing and gear to outfit our participants for success on the trail: Marmot, Mountain Khakis, Skinny Skis, High Country Outfitters, Lee's Tees, and FITS Sock Company.  THANK YOU!


About the Youth Conservation Program 
Since its inception in 2006, over 120 young men and women, 16 to 19 years old have worked, earned, and learned in the highly successful ten week program that is held each June to August in Grand Teton. In seven seasons, the students have contributed over 50,000 hours of labor improving visitors' experiences in the park. Participants build trails, remove debris, install bear-resistant containers, repair historic sites, pull exotic weeds, clear vegetation, learn stone masonry, and build fences all while hiking miles of the park each day. Collaborative park teams work with the YCP teens to provide a unique education in park history, fire, safety, and rescue training.

About Grand Teton National Park Foundation 
Established in 1997, Grand Teton National Park Foundation provides private financial support for special projects that enhance and protect Grand Teton National Park’s treasured cultural, historic, and natural resources.  Since its inception, the Foundation has raised nearly $23 million for special projects that benefit Grand Teton and visitors.

About Grand Teton National Park 
Located in northwestern Wyoming, Grand Teton National Park preserves a spectacular landscape rich with majestic mountains, pristine lakes and extraordinary wildlife. The park's world-renowned scenery attracts nearly four million visitors per year and offers an array of recreational activities for all ages and all abilities.

Trail Talk: A Window into Grand Teton National Park's Youth Conservation Program, Week 2

Here's Week 2 of "Trail Talk: A Window into Grand Teton's Youth Conservation Program"! The Youth Conservation Program (YCP) is more than a summer job; it's an innovative, educational opportunity and a chance to accomplish something meaningful in and for one of America's most popular landscapes.  Over this ten week program, you'll hear from our teen trail crew, made up of 16 to 19 year olds from all over the country, as they work to improve the trails within Grand Teton National Park.
 
Park ranger and YCP leader Alex St. Clair reports another busy and productive week on the trails of Grand Teton.  The crew spend significant time destroying and hauling asphalt from the Lupine Meadows trailhead. They moved approximately 2 tons of material out and prepped for the installation of the timber causeway. Long, hot days prompted the crew leaders to provide ice cream and popsicles to keep the team energized. During a break on the Lupine Meadows project, crew member Matthew Marvin explain why he decided to participate in YCP this summer:  "It seemed like a great way to spend a summer outdoors, working hard and seeing new places...and it's nice to see my grandparents!"

The crew joined the rest of the park staff for a social event in Moose to listen to NPS Intermountain Regional Director, John Wessels, speak about the state of our national parks.

Next week, the crew will be working on trail improvements at Wister Draw, as well as doing rehabilitation work to the Colter Bay Swim beach.  Great work, YCP trail crew!

About the Youth Conservation Program 
Since its inception in 2006, over 120 young men and women, 16 to 19 years old have worked, earned, and learned in the highly successful ten week program that is held each June to August in Grand Teton. In seven seasons, the students have contributed over 50,000 hours of labor improving visitors' experiences in the park. Participants build trails, remove debris, install bear-resistant containers, repair historic sites, pull exotic weeds, clear vegetation, learn stone masonry, and build fences all while hiking miles of the park each day. Collaborative park teams work with the YCP teens to provide a unique education in park history, fire, safety, and rescue training.

About Grand Teton National Park Foundation 
Established in 1997, Grand Teton National Park Foundation provides private financial support for special projects that enhance and protect Grand Teton National Park’s treasured cultural, historic, and natural resources.  Since its inception, the Foundation has raised nearly $23 million for special projects that benefit Grand Teton and visitors.

About Grand Teton National Park 
Located in northwestern Wyoming, Grand Teton National Park preserves a spectacular landscape rich with majestic mountains, pristine lakes and extraordinary wildlife. The park's world-renowned scenery attracts nearly four million visitors per year and offers an array of recreational activities for all ages and all abilities.