The GBRT currently ends several miles south of town, at Deer Creek. One favorable option to extend the trail through Cass is to remove the tracks at the switch a quarter mile south of the depot. From there, the trail would run parallel with the live steam engine tracks, across the parking lot, past the old saw mill, across one of the twin trestles, past the excess equipment storage and northward to the flood damaged area. The critical 16-mile connection would also qualify the contiguous trail for National Trails System status. The splendid beauty and the unique cultural resources of this high country river trail make it a strong contender for National recognition.
Varied ecosystems draw a wide variety of plant and wildlife.
Rich reminders of the logging and railroad industries are abundant. Camping and connecting trails provide a variety of outdoor recreational uses with reasonable access. Much of the existing trail is very leisurely but washouts from the 1985 flood make sections of it dangerous. Approaches to one trestle in particular will have to be rebuilt. One detour will be required.