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THE GREAT WESTERN TRAIL(Candidate for National Scenic Trail Designation)HOW IS THE GREAT WESTERN TRAIL DIFFERENT FROM OTHER NATIONALLY SIGNIFICANT TRAILS?The.Great Western Trail (GWT) is actually much more than a trail, but rather a corridor of trails and passageways designed to serve the many types of trail interests and users. Using whatever was available, travelers in the Old West made their way by foot or horseback, or by using a variety of vehicles including wagons and water craft as they moved between communities, over mountain passes, down rivers, and across valleys. And so it is today along the Great Western Trail as the magic and romance of the Old West unfolds once more to recreational enthusiasts from across the nation and many foreign countries. Opportunities exist for hikers, horseback riders, boaters, mountain bikers, cross-country skiers, and off-road vehicle and snowmobile riders to traverse this scenic and culturally rich area of our nation in a variety of ways.WHERE IS THE GREAT WESTERN TRAIL LOCATED? 
 
WHAT LANDS WOULD BE INVOLVED?The GWT corridor would be located on public lands, most of which is National Forest. The land management agencies involved are:
HOW WILL IT BE DECIDED WHERE VARIOUS USES WILL OCCUR?Every effort will be made to provide opportunity somewhere in the GWT corridor or every organized trail user group. Combinations of users compatible with the land and resources in a given area determine how use will be allocated. In some areas, these uses occur along separated and parallel routes, in others they will be combined as the land/resources, public safety, and established uses can accommodate them. The overriding principle is "something somewhere in the corridor for everyone'. In order for the GWT corridor to meet the needs of a diverse public successfully and to be sensitive to environmental conditions certain principles must be followed which will accommodate the following:
ExperienceThe trail experience derived largely from a sense of place must be rewarding for every user or it will not meet the intended objective.A large portion of the GWT will be by common use shared by a mix of user types from motorized to non-motorized. While use in remote trail sections is generally infrequent this mix is compatible. As use increases, however, the experience fo( non-motorized trail users becomes negatively affected. For the motorized user the experience is generally unaffected by increased contact with other user types. In order to maintain a quality experience for all users, when a certain level of use occurs, separate routes for the motorized and nonmotorized should be provided within the network of trails within the GWT corridor. The organized trails community will need to help managers determine when that action should be taken for given sections of the GWT. This is ccess Patterns key to changing forms of access. Only when 'deration is given to protecting the other consi person's trail experience and right of access will both the motorized and non-motorized trails community exist in harmony. It is only then that these normally opposing groups will redirect their energies and pull as a team, working for the benefit of each other. Public SafetyThe mix of pedestrians, domestic recreation livestock, mechanical equipment, and motorized vehicles along a trail have their inherent effects on each other and the potential for unsafe conditions to exist. As with quality experience, safety is negatively affected by increased traffic volume and greater exposure to risk. The principles of trail courtesy promoted in the literature of various organized users aid in trail safety. Where existing use is heavy or where volume of traffic warrants taking action to reduce risk of accident, then separation of routes in conjunction with facilities, trail alignment, and design is mandatory. Again, this evolving condition in dynamic use will require active participation of the organized trails community, in concert with the land manager, to determine when level of risk requires separation of uses or other modifications along sections of the GWT corridor.Land and Resource CapabilityCertain soil types, hydrologic conditions associated with streams and wet-land, fisheries/wildlife, and vegetative needs will limit some trail use types. Where it can be demonstrated that considerable adverse effects on the resource values are occurring or will likely occur because of a type of trail use, then the portion of trail or area suffering adverse effects will be closed to the responsible use type until the adverse effects have been eliminated and measures have been implemented to prevent recurrence. In order to minimize conflict between user types and adjacent use on public lands and populated areas, noise factors will be taken into consideration when determining trail segments committed to various user types.Administrative Restrictions
In Congressionally-designated wilderness and areas with special classifications reflected in agency land management plans, there may be only certain trail and trail-use types of access that are allowed. Wherever possible, the GWT corridor will provide for alternate routes outside restricted areas to accommodate the segments of trail community who are otherwise limited in access. A network of trails may be appropriate in some areas along the GWT corridor to satisfy the various user needs while still meeting health and safety, political, and administrative requirements.
RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIESNumerous small communities as well as large metropolitan areas located'. along the GWT corridor have caught the spirit and Vision. Many have, begun plans and are already constructing trailheads and spur trails that link their communities to the GWT corridor in order to take advantage of the recreational opportunities and rural economic development possibilities through travel and tourism. The multi-million dollar annual -income to West Yellowstone, Montana, from snowmobiling, and significant economic benefits to Fillmore and other small towns in southern Utah from the annual OHV Jamboree along the Paiute Trail Loop are examples of the economic benefit that can come to numerous other communities along the GVi/T corridor.According to responsible agencies and leaders at various levels of tourism promotion and development in the United States, the nostalgia of the Old West carries a high level of appeal among the European and Asian cultures. The GWT corridor provides recreational opportunities, hands-on experiences, and a chance for these visitors to associate with th3 romance of the Old West. Even the name of the Great Western Trail attracts these people and assists in the marketing effort. The Old West connotes a robust, yet genteel lifestyle that allows for a rich imagination and is enhanced by an equally rich and diverse historical heritage. This lifestyle spans a relatively short 1 50 years. Much of this lifestyle is still practiced today. Therein is the magic for those travelers who seek the genuine experience of a day gone by yet which in many ways is still available for the asking in ranching, farming, and other traditional lifestyles. The GWT corridor brings the traveler in touch with the land and cultures of both the old and present-day West. Many of the ties to the land and work ethics of its people are still in use and available for visitors to see and p a r t i c i p a t ein hands-on experiences. Recreational contact with these lifestyles also provides the visitor with the opportunity to see multiple-use activities showcased in a positive way along the GWT. The GWT route provides a unique crosssection of the West's prehistoric and contemporary American Indian cultures. Rich in ancient history, archaeological remnants of the past are found along the GWT corridor in places long silenced by time. In these special locations the traveler can come in contact with the lands and indigenous peoples and their ways. Numerous archeological sites, museums, and Indian Reservations are found along the corridor. The traveler can take tours of unique sites with Indian guides and participate directly in professionally supervised archeological excavations providing the opportunity to experience the excitement of hands-on contact with both present and ancient people and their cultures.
AdventureThe thrill of adventure is also evidenced by the people living in communities bordering the GWT corridor. They delight in making available not only the opportunity to restock supplies or obtain a clean bed and a hot meal, but also in sharing their unique culture, history, legends, and experiences of the Old West with GWT travelers. Numerous opportunities for historically accurate reenactment of folklore and lifestyle in the early frontier are provided in theater and song.
ReminisceWith the Chief's Interagency Conference on Tourism (Park City, Ut. 1992) seven Federal Agency heads, several of whom together manage one-third of the land base of the United States, signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at finding effective ways to utilize the Federal estate to increase both domestic and international tourism. The Forest Service is now moving toward this objective by participating in the various international tourism trade shows, and tourism opportunities on National Forests are Marketing currently being showcased before thousands of tour-operators, and brokers throughout the world. The Great Western Trail This decision and subsequent action effectively provides local communities near or surrounded by National Forest with direct access to the international marketplace. The GWT corridor and its tourism/recreational products make for a prime source of increased domestic and internationally-generated income from domestic and international visitors.
The New Golden SpikeOn National Trails Day, June 5, 1993, an historic reenactment of the Driving Of The Golden Spike will occur in southern Utah near the little towri of Escalante. This event has been planned to applaud the intersection of two nationally significant trails--the north/south GWT corridor and the east/west American Discovery Trail (also in study and awaiting National Scenic Trail designation)--similar to that celebrated a century ago when two railways joined in northern Utah. This activity will provide an excellent opportunity for national attention and broad exposure for the GWT. Other nationally designated trails with which the GWT intersects include the Pony Express National Historic Trail, the Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail, the California National Historic Trail, the Oregon National Historic Trail, the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail, the Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail, and the Nez Perce National Historic Trail.
WHERE IS THE MONEY AND SUPPORT TO BUILD THE GWT?When the GWT National Scenic Trail becomes a reality, it will be because of the people. The GWT is a people's trail. Many organizations and special interest groups have also become very enthusiastic about the establishment of this trail and have provided a great deal of support and help in its development. Thousands of volunteers have already donated their time and money. It is not unusual to see organizations and individuals, often,at odds with each other's preferred mode of trail accbss, now working together along the route. By providing something for each interest within the total trails community, people are more willing to set their differences aside and untie their hands. Working.together, the limitations that otherwise hold them apart and retard the future growth of trails are removed.When asked by legislators and members of Congress how much funding will be needed, my response has been "Oh, don't fund it or you'll kill it--except for seed money that is." I believe the spirit of the Great Western Trail would be I o s t if the opportunity of giving of themselves were taken from the people. This is truly a people's trail, where one can leave a legacy to future generations. Many have become dedicated to that effort. Such dedication has been evidenced by those who have already hiked the entire 2400-mile length carrying packs weighing about 80 pounds, and by others riding and leading a string of pack mules the entire distance--all for the purpose of obtaining valuable information and trail logs for others to follow. Thousands of people have given equally in spirit and effort, though on a smaller scale, as they provide the necessary labor to maintain, improve, and sign various sections.
WHAT LEADERSHIP IS ESTABLISHED IN EACH STATE?The GWT Association has been established as a non-profit corporation with bylaws and authority to act in behalf of membership whose interest is the development and promotion of the GWT corridor. The association originated in Utah and is available for satellite chapters in states that share this interest and purpose. The following State Volunteer Coordinators have accepted leadership roles in the participating states and are currently functioning at various levels of involvement.
STATE VOLUNTEER COORDINATORSIdaho & Wyoming Chuck Christensen
Utah Mike Browning Arizona State Association
ATTENTION: An Arizona Segment
was dedicated on April 25th, 1998,
CONCLUSIONThe GWT embodies a unique and timely concept in national trails development. It encompasses a series of existing trails on mostly public lands running through a Western corridor extending border to border from the northern tip of Idaho to the southern tip of Arizona. Included along its path are recreational opportunities for the entire trails community as it passes through areas rich in Western lifestyle and heritage as well as some of the most spectacular scenery in the world. It provides a positive experience for all users in conjunction with land and resource capability, public safety, and administrative requirements. The GWT corridor offers many diverse recreational opportunities not only for public enjoyment but for rural economic development. Due to the extensive use of volunteers and the development of private and public partnerships and because it follows existing roads and trails where possible, little right-of-way acquisition and minimal funding for new construction is needed. Leadership for the development of this trail is already in place with the legally established GWT Association and active volunteer leaders in each state -. The GWT enjoys tremendous public support and popularity as evidenced by recurrent television coverage and frequent written articles in newspapers, magazines, and other media. In addition, thousands of volunteers have already given time and energy to make this distinctive trail corridor a reality. The GWT corridor is located and timed to meet the broad demands of the entire trails community. It is positioned well and uniquely named to enhance public enjoyment and rural economic development including both domestic and international tourism opportunities. It now needs legislative direction to initiate the formal study process that is required prior to its official Congressional designation as the Great Western National Scenic Trail. When that process is complete, it will become a significant and vital addition to America's system of national trails. |
The preferred route from north to
south would include the Idaho Centennial Trail route to the Magruder Corridor
(Idaho Panhandle National Forest (NF), Clearwater NF, & Nez Perce NF), then
east between the Selway Bitterroot and Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness
areas (Bitterroot NF and Salmon NF). An additional alternate southern route
floatable by permitted water craft along the historic main Salmon River east/west
through Idaho is possible (Clearwater NF & Salmon NF). Once at the ldaho\Montana
border the GWT corridor then extends south along the alignment of the existing
Continental Divide National Scenic Trail to the Trail Pass (Salmon NF & Beaverhead
NF), then south through the Targhee NF past the west side of Yellowstone NP
to Palisades Reservoir, where the route splits. An additional alternate route
is being considered for pedestrian and horse access across the southwest corner
of Yellowstone NP. From there it continues south in Idaho through the Caribou
NF near Soda Springs, and Montpelier to the Utah border west of Bear Lake.
Again at the Palisades Reservoir, the trail splits and extends along the east
side of the reservoir to Alpine, Wyoming, then south along the Greys River
to La Barge and Smith Fork, then northwest into Star Valley, Wyoming (BridgerfTeton
NF), then west into Idaho past Montpelier, connecting again on the. ridge
west of Bear Lake (Caribou NF). At the Utah borde@r@,@ the trail corridor
continues south east of Logan, Salt Lake City, Provo, Nephi, and several smaller
communities along the Wasatch Front, extending into southern Utah (Wasatch/Cache
NF, Uinta NF, Manti NF, Fishlake NF, and Dixie NF). At the southern Utah border,
the GWT corridor could extend through 
