1

The natural forces that formed the Uinta Mountains 

created a panorama of geologic conditions, 

vegetation diversity, wildlife habitat, and waterways 

that draw approximately 1.1 million visitors to the 

Forest Super visor’s Letter

In this issue:

Forest Supervisor’s 

Letter

1

Back Country 

Horseman work on 

trails

1

Partnerships make a 

difference 2

Historic Guard 

Stations Repaired

5

B ac k Co u n t r y H o rse me n Ke e p Tr ail s Ope n

In 2013, 

the Uinta 

Basin 

Chapter of 

the Back 

Country Horsemen continued its 

long-standing tradition of keeping 

back country trails open by 

performing a trail-clearing project 

Ashley National Forest January 2013 Volume 1, Issue 1

John R. Erickson, Forest Supervisor Ashley National 

Forest

2013 Year in Review

Ashley National Forest each year. These conditions 

provide for multiple uses ranging from wilderness, 

recreation, livestock grazing, and oil and gas 

exploration and development.

Safeguarding and sustaining these resources and the 

diverse activities they provide requires dedicated 

employees. However, a workforce of hardworking 

and dedicated employees is not enough. Partnerships 

with public, state, local governments and other 

federal agencies are also essential in managing these 

lands. Working with the Ashley National Forest 

Resource Advisory Committee, we are working to 

restore historic guard stations and the last standing 

historic fire lookout in the state of Utah. Because of 

these partnerships, these structures will soon be 

available for public use. Partnerships with Utah 

County governments in Daggett, Duchesne, and 

Uintah and Sweetwater County in Wyoming provides 

road maintenance that ensures access to many special 

places across the Ashley National Forest. Working 

with the oil and gas industry, the forest completed 44 

wells in 2013; providing valued economic 

opportunities to local communities while protecting 

visual resources and wildlife such as sage grouse.

I feel honored to care for these valuable public lands, 

work alongside dedicated employees, and live in this 

beautiful area.

on the Ashley National Forest’s 

Uinta Highline Trail.

Over two weekends, the group 

cleared over 10 miles of 

trail. BCH members hiked or 

rode horses, clearing it of blown 

down timber and new branch 

growth that impeded users’ ability 

to ride or hike the trail.

“I was happy when one day as we 

worked, two hikers passed us 

using the trail,” said member Jody 

Holmes. “It was rewarding to 

know that others are using this 

trail and would have an easier 

time enjoying it after we had cut 

the trees out and remarked the 

route.”
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Gold Cross Ambulance Service 

Assists the Ashley National Forest 

The Gold Cross Ambulance service assisted the Ashley National Forest by providing 

stand by service during the physical fitness tests given to wildland firefighters in the 

Vernal, Utah area.

Cheryl Nelson, Uintah Basin Interagency Dispatch Center Manager stated, “Gold 

Cross Ambulance has provided peace of mind during the administration of our physical tests and greatly aided in ensuring our testing is taking place in the safest environment possible for our firefighters.”During the spring of 2013, Gold Cross Ambulance 

provided emergency coverage for the physical testing of about 65 wildland firefighters 

from multiple agencies across the Uintah Basin ensuring agencies are prepared for the 

upcoming fire season.

The Ashley National Forest appreciates the dedication of Gold Cross Ambulance to the mission of providing quality medical 

care and transportation services during the preparation of wildland firefighters for the 2013 fire season.

L-R: Amanda Baird, Rebecca Perry, 

and Kelly Laursen 

PARTNERSHIPS ON THE ASHLEY ... MAKING A DIFFERENCE

As you visit the Ashley National Forest, you do not need to look very far to see the difference our partners are making in helping accomplish the Forest Service mission of “Caring for the Land and Serving People”. Through collaborative efforts with partners, we accomplished 

a lot this past year. In fact, partnerships are involved in almost every aspect of forest management --from 

watershed restoration and conservation, to improvements in recreation and transportation.

A recent example is at Lucerne Marina on Flaming Gorge Reservoir. Flaming Gorge is one of the most popular fishing and boating destinations in the State of Utah with Lucerne being the most used boat launch area. Natural topography protects the boat launch and marina areas from westerly and northerly 

winds. However, uninterrupted winds traveling across the reservoir from the east or southeast can create 

dangerous waves for boaters trying to recover their boats or dock at the marina.

This summer, through the combined support of several groups and partnerships between the Ashley National Forest including the Utah 

Division of Wildlife Resources, Utah Division of Parks and Recreation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the 

Sport Fish Restoration Act and Utah Motorboat Access grant programs, 300 feet of new wave attenuator was 

installed, with an additional 300 feet scheduled for next year.

While many partnerships involve completion of individual projects such as the attenuator at Lucerne, others are 

ongoing. The Intermountain Natural History Association (INHA) is an example. INHA is a non-profit organization that assists the Forest by providing interpretive information to Forest visitors. They provide and sell 

books, maps, and other publications at 13 Forest locations. The items enrich the visitor experience and provide 

a better understanding of the natural and historical Forest resources. With the proceeds from sales, INHA 

helped the Forest and neighboring public land agencies install new highway approach signs at 19 scenic byway locations. Decreasing federal 

budgets coupled with increased forest visitation has led to innovation and creative design in the maintenance of forest roads across the 

Ashley National Forest. Through teamwork and common goals, road maintenance agreements with Daggett, Duchesne and Uintah Counties in Utah and Sweetwater County in Wyoming have been created to maintain key roads that provide visitor access to the Ashley National Forest.

These are just a few examples of partnerships and collaborative efforts occurring on the Ashley this year. In all, partnerships exist and provide a benefit in almost every aspect of Forest management. Special thanks to these and each of our partners for making a difference.

Road Maintenance

Wave Attenuator
3

Ute Tower Repaired

The only standing fire lookout in the state of Utah is receiving a significant facelift. Ute Mountain Fire Lookout Tower, often called “Ute Tower”, will be open for visitors to experience the view from a historic fire 

lookout tower in the summer of 2014.

Civilian Conservation Corps from the Sheep Creek Camp (Company # 

4794) built Ute Tower in 1937. The U.S. Forest Service used the tower 

to spot fires until 1968 when aerial detection replaced the need for a 

fire lookout. In 1969, the Forest Service completed a structural review 

of the tower and found that the lower portions of its wooden legs were 

rotting and would need to be replaced. Funds were not available, so the 

tower closed and remained vacant throughout the 1970s. 

In 1980, the Ute Tower was listed on the National Register of Historic 

Places to increase public awareness of the role of the fire lookout tower 

for fire detection. Between 1983 and 1986, volunteers and Forest Service employees repaired and replaced deteriorated boards, windows, 

and roof shingles, removed the lower four feet of each tower leg and spliced in new timber pieces with welded metal braces for support, and painted the entire lookout. In 1987, the Ute Mountain Fire Lookout opened for public 

visitation at a rededication ceremony.

Ute Tower is one of the true historic treasures on the Ashley 

National Forest. The tower is the only remaining freestanding 

fire lookout in the State of Utah and because of its one-of-akind nature, it provides a wonderful opportunity to educate the 

public about wildland fire activities that occurred in the mid20thcentury. With its historic value and proximity to other 

popular attractions near Flaming Gorge National Recreation 

Area, Ute Tower has typically received over 2,000 visitors a 

summer. Ute Tower is unique because it has a lookout cab 

that sits approximately 28 feet above the ground that serves as 

both an observation post and a living area.

In 2008, the Forest Service again tested the tower legs for 

structural integrity and found extreme rot and deterioration in 

both the 1982 replacement sections and in the original tower sections. The Forest Service immediately closed the 

lookout tower for public safety reasons and it has remained closed for the past five years.

HistoriCorps is a volunteer based organization that works to save historic places. Volunteers interested in helping 

repair the Ute Tower can register on the HistoriCorps website or contact the HistoriCorps Volunteer Coordinator 

Amy Eller by email aeller@historicorps.org or 303-893-4260 extension 225.

Ute Tower on the Ashley National Forest

Rotted Legs that were removed from Ute Tower
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Oil and Gas Development on the Ashley National Forest

The Ashley National Forest works with leaseholders to recognize their right to drill for, extract, and market oil and 

natural gas reserves under federal mineral leases. The Forest supports the positive effect this has on the local economy through job creation and minerals receipts, while imposing meaningful constraints and mitigation measures on

how this activity will proceed in order to minimize potential environmental impacts.

Issued around 1998, there are two active lease areas for oil and gas on the south unit of the Duchesne/Roosevelt 

Ranger District on the Ashley National Forest.

The South Unit of the Duchesne/Roosevelt Ranger District currently has 41 pads with approximately 150 wells 

drilled by leaseholders, with possibly more 

pads constructed this fall. The Ashley National Forest has taken many steps to reduce the impacts of oil and gas development on roadless areas and other resources. We have worked with the leaseholders to modify proposals to reduce the 

number of new well pads and roads in 

roadless areas by utilizing directional drilling. We have added mitigation measures 

to reduce impacts to big game, sensitive 

species, and their habitat.

Prior to 2012, the Ashley National Forest 

made several decisions allowing for some 

exploratory drilling for oil and gas and 

some minor development on the south 

unit. In February 2012, the Ashley National Forest published a Final Environmental 

Impact Statement and issued a Record of 

Decision for oil and gas resource development on the Duchesne/Roosevelt Ranger District by one leaseholder. This decision authorized a maximum of 162 

well pads and 57 miles of new access road. Up to 356 wells were authorized to be drilled by utilizing directional 

drilling and placing multiple wells on each pad. Development will occur over 5- to 20-years with 20-40 wells drilled 

per year.

To allow for the consideration of new technology or information, the larger development project will be phased in 

over time. Smaller proposals continue to be analyzed and approved for leaseholders.

Drill Pads on the Ashley National Forest
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Historic Guard Stations Receive Needed Maintenance

With the growing popularity of staying in historic guard stations, the Ashley National Forest Resource Advisory 

Committee provided funding for the maintenance of two historic guard stations that will be open for public use.

Paradise Guard Station is located about 25 miles northwest of Vernal, Utah. The local tale is that the District 

Ranger built the Paradise Guard Station during his spare time in 1922.

Maintenance activities at the guard station included:

 replacing the rock and mortar foundation with a new 

concrete foundation

 removed lead based paint from the interior of the 

building and repainted the interior

 installed a new sub-floor and floor in the building

 installed a new wood burning stove and replaced the 

front porch.

Paradise Guard Station should be available for rental in 

the summer of 2014. For more information on Paradise 

Guard Station, visit our website.

Summit Springs Guard Station

Summit Springs Guard Station is located on the Flaming Gorge Ranger District near Ute tower Fire Lookout. The 

guard station was built in 1931 to house Forest Rangers. Through funding provided by the Ashley National Forest 

Resource Advisory Committee, Summit Springs Guard Station has been repaired and will be available for public rental.

Maintenance activities at the guard station include:

 stripping and staining all the floors

 repainting the walls and trim with historically accurate colors

 replacing all windows and doors with historically accurate windows and doors

 replacing the electrical wiring and installing a new propane generator that will charge the battery packs automatically

 repaired sections of the roof

 installed historically accurate trim and wall panels

 installed a double vault toilet to allow for winter use.

Once all of the finish work is complete, the guard station will be available for public rental.

Without the assistance of the Ashley National Forest Resource Advisory Committee, these structures would have 

continued to deteriorate and the opportunity for public rental would not have been feasible.

Paradise Guard Station
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Working Together: 

Creating Better Opportunities for Everyone

Dry Fork Canyon hosts the most popular non-motorized trail on the Vernal

Ranger District. 

An investment in enhancing the trail, 

relocating the trailhead and providing 

greater parking capacity and improving road access was completed in 

2013.

The Dry Fork Flume Trail provides 

spectacular views of Brownie Canyon 

as it follows Dry Fork Creek and 

Brownie Creek. Its popularity is due 

to easy access and close proximity to 

Vernal. The trail is widely used by 

hikers, mountain bikers, equestrians 

and cross-country skiers.

Trail work has moved the trail off of 

the Red Cloud Loop Road and connected all sections of the trail for nonmotorized use.

In 2013 the trailhead was moved to 

the intersection of the Red Cloud 

Loop Road and the Massey Meadow 

Road. Through a partnership with 

Uintah County road surface was improved from the Forest boundary to 

Uintah County Road Maintenance

the new trailhead and a guard rail was 

installed. Uintah County agreed to 

plow the road from the Forest boundary to the new trailhead for winter

access. The total cost of these projects was $74,232. 

This creates a year around destination 

for visitors to enjoy the Flume Trail 

and access Red Cloud Loop for overthe-snow recreation.

Many partners contributed time and 

effort in creating this recreation destination.

A Utah trails grant for $30,000 was 

used to develop the Flume Trailhead. 

An Eagle Scout project constructed 

approximately 400ft of post and rail 

fence along the road across from the 

trailhead to protect resources.

The Back Country Horsemen volunteered materials and labor to construct 

and install two horse hitching rails at 

the trailhead.

The Ashley National Forest Youth 

Conservation Corps crew funded 

through a partnership with the Uintah 

County Impact Mitigation District 

worked on brushing and improving 

the tread and access from the Trailhead to the trail.

If you haven’t had the time to enjoy 

this trail make plans to enjoy the 

beauty of Dry Fork this spring.

BEFORE:

AFTER:
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Land Use Permits 

Non-Recreation.116.......................$55,950.50

Recreation.........138.....................$335,669.99

Power.....................5..........................$9,690.99

Total Collected..............................$401,311.48

Fire Management 

Fuel Treatment Acres..........................5562

Prescribed Burn Acres.........................1091

Number of Wildfires..................................22

Wildfire Acres Burned ..........................685

Fish and Wildlife Habitat Improved 

Enhancement (Miles):

Terrestrial Acres...................................2,861

Lake Acres ...............................................142

Stream Miles..............................................27

Surveyed:

Terrestrial Acres................................441,067

Aquatic Acres..............................................25

Livestock Grazed 

Horses .....................................................26

Cattle ................................................13,744

Sheep ..................................................5,284

Head Months Annually .....................53.598

Allotments/Livestock Areas.....................74

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...................$292,334.23

Duchesne County ............$476,852.16

Daggett County ................$246,598.08

Sweetwater County, WY...$ 33,076.85

Utah County .....................$ 5,263.24 

Wasatch County ..............$ 60,799.62

ASHLEY NATIONAL FOREST STATISTICS 
8

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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