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Although this report presents only a 

sample of the work we completed in 2017, 

it clearly reflects a work force dedicated 

to developing and sustaining partnerships, 

providing the public safe access to 

National Forest System Lands, and 

sustaining and improving the health of the 

Ashley National Forest.

In 2017 we worked with Cooperating 

Agencies, partners and the public to 

complete an Assessment of the current 

conditions and trends on the Ashley 

National Forest. The Assessment is now 

Forest Super visor’s Letter

In this issue:

Forest Supervisor’s 

Letter

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DuchesneRoosevelt District

6

Flaming GorgeVernal Ranger 

District

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Ashley National Forest January 2018 Volume 1, Issue 1

John R. Erickson, Forest Supervisor Ashley National 

Forest

2017 Year in Review

final and we are beginning the process of 

identifying the need for change and the 

development of the Draft Environmental 

Impact Statement. 

I personally value the input of our 

Cooperating Agencies and the Public as we 

look at the future management of Ashley 

National Forest. As we move through this 

planning process there will be multiple 

points at which the Public and other 

agencies can submit comments and review 

the work being completed in this planning 

effort.

Throughout the year the staff of the 

Ashley National Forest has worked to 

deliver assigned targets and manage costs 

to deliver; a healthy and sustainable 

ecosystem capable of providing clean 

water, a reduction of fuels to reduce 

wildland fires, and many other projects to 

improve or sustain the health of the 

Ashley National Forest in coordination 

with partners across the spectrum of 

interests.

I look forward to working with all of you 

as we work on projects affecting the 

Forest and developing the management 

plan that will direct our efforts in the 

future.

Jeff Schramm, Forest Supervisor
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PARTNERSHIPS ON THE ASHLEY ... MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Scenic Byway Audio Tour

Sheep Creek Bay at Flaming Gorge Reservoir

Do you enjoy taking scenic drives and enjoying the 

views of wildlife and the national forests? If so, the 

Flaming Gorge – Uintas National Scenic Byway offers a 

year-round opportunity of some of the most spectacular scenery around... and opportunities for visitors just 

got even better!

Byway visitors now have the opportunity to listen to an 

interactive audio tour while driving the byway corridor. 

The tour features unique stories about the history, 

wildlife, geology, and other interesting things that are 

found here. The tour is free and available to download 

on your smart phone or tablet through TravelStorys.com and selecting the Flaming Gorge – Uintas 

tour. Each story plays automatically at locations along 

the Byway and can be started at any point within the 

Byway route.

The project was made possible through broad partnership with the State of Utah Department of Tourism, 

Department of Transportation, Parks and Recreation, 

Division of Wildlife Services; Ashley National Forest; 

Bureau of Reclamation; Uintah County; Flaming Gorge 

Chamber of Commerce; Simplot Phosphates LLC; Evans Family Media; and several volunteers who assisted 

through funding, writing stories, providing narration, and 

testing and organizing the project efforts. 

According to Forest Partnership Coordinator Don 

Jaques, “We are very excited about this new and unique 

addition to the Byway experience. Visitors can now listen as they travel to stories that make this area special.” 

The project has been a long-term goal of the Byway since 
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New Bridges at Paradise Guard Station 

and East Park Reservoir

Bridge at Paradise Guard Station

Bridge at Paradise Guard Station

Bridge at East Park Reservoir

Bridge at East Park Reservoir

Many forest visitors think very little 

about the routes and roads taken to 

reach their favorite destinations on the 

forest. These routes are very important to our engineers, road maintenance crew and Daggett, Duchesne and 

Uintah County Road Crews. They all 

work together to ensure routes accessing the Ashley National Forest are 

safe for travel.

In 2017 the Ashley National Forest replaced the bridges at East Park Reservoir and at Paradise Guard Station to 

ensure public safety and access to the 

Ashley National Forest.

Both of these bridges were constructed of timber. The East Park Bridge 

was 57 years old and the Paradise 

Guard Station Bridge was 65 years old 

at the time of their removal.

Bridges are inspected on a regular basis to ensure public safety. During these inspections both bridges had sagging and leaning timber 

abutments and the abutments 

were deteriorated causing a concern for public safety.

The bridges were constructed 

with short spans that constricted 

the streams passing underneath 

impeding the passage of fish and 

the top of the bridge during high flows 

and it also improves fish and other 

aquatic organism passage. Each bridge 

is designed to handle a 100 year storm 

event and allow any debris to pass under the bridge.

The purchase price of both bridges 

was $105,500. A rented a crane to 

set the bridges for $5,000. The Ashley National Forest Road Crew installed the bridges at a cost of 

$15,000. The two bridges were installed at a cost of about $125,000. 

These bridges were designed with 

economy in mind and cost significantly 

less than treated wood or concrete 

bridges of this size.

The design life of the bridges is 50 

years. The region has installed several 

bridges of similar manufacture and believes these bridges could remain in 

place for up to 75 years.

The bridges have been designed and 

installed to meet all environmental 

criteria and the core 10 rusting steel 

on the bridge railings helps the bridges 

blend into their environment.

other aquatic organisms.

The new bridges are set on shallow concrete footings so they 

have concrete abutments instead 

of treated timber and also have 

bridge railings to prevent traffic 

from falling off the bridge and 

into the stream. The superstructure and deck is made of steel. 

The design life of each bridge is 

over 50 years. 

Each bridge is 15 to 20 feet longer than the original bridge so the 

bridge does not constrict the 

stream. This will reduce the 

chance of water running over 
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Youth Conservation Corps 

2017

Flume Trail Bridge Decking

YCC Trail Maintenance 

13 participants completed nearly 4650 hours of recreation, trails, wildlife, fisheries, timber, and range work on 

the Ashley National Forest during the 2017 summer 

season. 

The work included the following projects;

Moon Lake Spring enclosure

The building of two spring enclosures above the Moon 

Lake campground. These enclosures prevent range cattle and other animals from contaminating the spring area. This is a critical part of conforming to state water 

regulations. The spring area feeds water to the Moon 

Lake campground, Moon Lake Guard Station, and the 

Moon Lake Lodge. The enclosure ensures the continuation of clean water for both public and private users. 

The Flume trail is a very popular, highly used hiking, 

mountain biking, and equestrian trail. The trail crosses 

the Dry Fork stream and during spring runoff a portion 

of the trail in inaccessible due to high water. The Vernal 

Ranger District was able to obtain a Utah State Parks 

trail grant and RAC funding to purchase a bridge for 

the river crossing. During the summer the road crew 

placed the large metal bridge over the river. The YCC 

finished the project by placing over 100 feet of decking 

on bridge. The decking is comprised of heavy 3 inch by 

12 inch pressure treated planks. These planks needed 

to be carried over a long distance, cut to fit, then 

drilled into the metal bridge. The finished bridge is a 

valuable asset to the trail and the community that uses 

it for many years. The crew also completed light and 

heavy trail maintenance, including construction of dry 

masonry native rock retaining wall to support the trail. 

Students also participated in other activities such as 

Goshawk surveys, fish monitoring including electrofishing.

High Education

The 13 YCC students received 3 college credits from 

Utah State University. They were required to write a 

report regarding one of the resources they worked in 

over the summer and they gave presentations on their 

summer’s work. 
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hazardous boulders next to trail, removing protruding rocks from the 

tread, leveling off sections of trail using 

crushed rock and redefining a small 

switch back.

Fish Creek Trail has 5.7 miles of trail 

which needs to be logged out every 

season in order to meet the Trail Management Objective (TMO) established 

by the Forest Service. The trail also 

has sections that run through long 

meadows which makes it difficult to 

maintain tread due to rapid vegetation 

growth and a lack of frequent use by 

stock and hikers

. The MCC crew used natural materials (logs) to establish a trail definition 

in between sign posts 13 and 14.From 

this, users will have a better sense of 

where the trail is and which direction 

the user needs to travel.

A before and after photos of work site 18 on the Center Park 

Trail Project (Photo Credit Kyle Stobel)

The Montana Conservation 

Corps logged out, brushed and 

removed rocks on over 12 miles 

of trail and road. They repaired 

trail in disrepair, installed carsonite signs, covered user created 

trails and communicated important information to the Forest Service. 

The crew completed the hard 

and complicated work without 

serious injury and a positive attitude. The quality of the work is 

on par with Forest Service standards and made a significant impact in areas that needed attention. We thank the MCC crew 

Montana Conservation Corps Trail Crew

and their leaders for their hard work 

and dedication to protecting our public lands.

Trails/Campgrounds Worked on: Center Park (Trail 059), Fish Creek (Trail 

060), Stillwater (Trail 185), Yellow 

Pine Camp Ground Road (Road 138), 

and Upper Stillwater Camp Ground 

(Road 485).

Center Park Trail was “de-rocked” of 

loose, fist-sized and larger rocks from 

the Wilderness Boundary to Work 

Site 1 (WS 001). Tread and trail corridor was widened in many locations to 

better accommodate pack stock. 

There were 33 work sites that included: check dams, rock steps, removing 
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The Duchesne/Roosevelt Ranger district approved the 

construction of two ATV trail connections on the South 

Unit of the Ranger District on November 2, 2017. 

These two connections are part of a much larger project with several partners including Duchesne County, 

Duchesne City, Wellington City, Carbon County, Uintah County, Utah State Parks, State of Utah, BLM, independent OHV groups and the Forest Service. The ultimate goal of the project is to connect Duchesne County to Carbon County and their ATV trail systems to 

provide for much longer ATV/UTV tour routes in Eastern Utah. These connection locations were developed 

by the Forest Service and a larger group of partners. 

Both trail connections will be constructed to accommodate OHV non-highway legal vehicles less than 60” 

wheel base (ATVs and side-by-sides). The trails will be 

constructed in openings (to avoid falling larger trees) 

and along existing road beds where ever possible. Both 

trail connections will be constructed as conditions allow 

in 2018. 

During the 2017 field season the trails crew removed 

over 1900 trees on over 170 miles of combined nonmotorized trails in the Wilderness. 

Public contacts were higher this year as more people 

are discovering the Ashley National Forest.

With the late snow melt this season our focus was 

turned to clearing debris, trees and brush from lower 

elevation trails. This resulted in improvement of our 

lower elevation trail system and a reduction in the identification and removal of fire rings and other structures 

built within the Wilderness due to limited access.

This Season the High Uintas Wilderness Program along 

with Volunteer Groups including the Montana Conservations Corps and the Dedicated Hunter program installed or replaced 21 signs either in the Wilderness or 

on non-Wilderness systems trails. These consisted of 

either wood or Carsonite signs. Most of the signs installed were reassurance signs in difficult to follow sections of trail but others were junction signs that were 

installed on trees many years ago.

Work in the High Uinta Wilderness Area

Roosevelt-Duchesne Ranger District

Sections of Badlands ATV Trail Approved on South Unit

New signs directing hikers to Red Knob Pass, Lambert Meadow, Squaw Pass and to Lake Fork River
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New Sign at Divide at Black Fork

The Trail Crew worked on the east and west half of Fox Queant Pass this season. It has not been worked on for 

many seasons which means that it has experienced rock slides which put rocks in the trail and makes it hazardous to 

both humans and stock. The crew spend 8 days working on the trail removing rock, creating structures (Check 

dams/ water bars) and making sharp switch back wider and easier to negotiate for stock.

The crew was assisted by the Backcountry Horsemen of America. They packed in and out all of their heavy 

tools and gear. They were crucial to the project and their assistance is appreciated. We look forward to 

working with them on future projects.
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NEW HIGHWAY SIGNS IRON SPRINGS CATTLE GUARD

ROCK WORK AT CANYON RIM

 Flaming Gorge-Vernal 

In 2017 many projects were completed 

including the replacement of many 

highway signs that direct traffic to key 

destinations on the Ashley National 

Forest. Signs such as the one pictured 

at right directing traffic to the entrance 

of Sheep Creek Bay on the Flaming 

Gorge National Recreation Area have 

been replaced to aid visitors during 

their visits to the Ashley National Forest.

Working with the Ashley Resource 

Advisory Committee under the Secure Rural Schools and Community 

Self-Determination Act a new overlook and rock work was completed 

at the Canyon Rim Overlook to ensure this destination remained safe 

for visitors as they enjoy a world 

class view of the Flaming Gorge Reservoir.

A new cattle guard and ATV gate was 

installed along the Iron Springs Canal to 

upgrade and maintain the motorized 

trail system and meet the needs of 

those grazing cattle on the Ashley National Forest . The new gate will allow 

the passage of ATVs while keeping 

stock in the appropriate grazing unit.
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GREENS DRAW CATTLE GUARD 

AND GATE NEW GUZZLERS IN 

COOPERATION 

WITH UDWR

RANGE MONITORING 

WITH PERMITEES

Ranger District

A recent decision on the Ashley National Forest in partnership with the 

Utah Division of Wildlife Resources 

implemented a seasonal closure for 

motorized vehicles in the Greens 

Draw Area for wildlife habitat improvement and watershed protection. 

As part of this decision a cattle guard 

and gate have been installed along the 

Greens Draw Road and will be closed 

from October 1st until May 31st.

In coordination with Utah Division of 

Wildlife Resources three new wildlife 

guzzlers are being installed to provide 

water sources for wildlife in arid portions of the Forest. 

These guzzlers will provide water for 

wildlife such as birds, deer, elk, antelope 

and others.

The Ashley National Forest working 

with Permitees actively monitors 

range conditions on the grazing allotments each year. 

This year several days were spent with 

Permitees on allotments in Hickerson 

Park and Sheep Creek Park and 

Mountain looking at utilization at monitoring sites after the cattle were finished for the year.
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Help Us Protect Your Special Places
11

Land Use Permits 

LANDS – Energy Related ......... $39,149.44

LANDS – Non Energy Related ...$44,667.72

RECREATION ............................$338,572.32

Total collected ........................ $422,389.48

Fire Management 

Fuel Treatment Acres..........................1803

Prescribed Burn Acres.........................4675

Number of Wildfires.................................16

Wildfire Acres Burned ............................33

Fish and Wildlife Habitat Improved 

Enhancement (Miles):

Terrestrial Acres..................................14,059

Lake Acres ..................................................74

Stream Miles...............................................21

Surveyed:

Terrestrial Acres................................231/382

Aquatic Acres..............................................75

Livestock Grazed 

Horses .....................................................18

Cattle ................................................14,174

Sheep ..................................................5,483

Head Months Annually .....................55,601

Allotments/Livestock Areas.....................65 Active

Ashley National Forest Acres:........1,382,347 

Acres in Utah:..................................1,286,124 

Acres in Wyoming:................................96,223 

Wilderness Areas Acres 

High Uintas Wilderness 

Ashley N. F..............................276,175 

High Uintas Wilderness 

Wasatch Cache N. F.............. 180,530 

Recreation

Campgrounds (Family).......................60 

Campsites......................................1,156 

Campgrounds (Group)........................12 

Picnic Areas...........................................8 

Trailheads............................................10 

Total Trail Miles.............................1,196 

ATV (All Terrain Vehicle)...................194 

Biking.................................................325 

Hiking.................................................939 

Snowmobile.......................................116 

Total Road Miles............................1,818 

ATV..................................................1,151 

Employees 

Permanent Employees..................100

Temporary/Seasonal..................... 91

Payments to Counties Amount 

Uintah County...................$15,954.05

Duchesne County ............$48,816.27

Daggett County ................$14,695.34

Sweetwater County, WY...$5,466.64

Utah County .....................$67,569.65

Wasatch County ..............$66,703.08

ASHLEY NATIONAL FOREST STATISTICS 
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Caring for the Land and 

Serving People

355 North Vernal Avenue

Vernal, Utah

84078

Tel: 435-789-1181

Fax: 435-781-5254

E-mail: ljhaynes@fs.fed.us

Ashley National Forest

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