Trevor Delaney
Sports Editor
With the ongoing temporary closure of the Lead Draw Trail south of Pocatello remaining in place until July 31 due to reported safety related conflicts between hikers and recreational target shooters according to a press release from the Caribou-Targhee National Forest Westside Ranger District, students attending Idaho State University’s Pocatello campus are keen to get outside and explore the local trails and public lands.
Pulling into the parking lot of the closed Lead Draw Trail trailhead, it would be hard to miss the array of brightly colored laminated signs posted at the entrance announcing the trail closure and various other restrictions. In bold font one of the signs declares that no shooting is allowed within 150 yards of the parking area, which is a violation of a federal regulation and punishable by a fine of up to $5000 for individuals who violate the posted order.
While users of public lands are still allowed to shoot in the Lead Draw area outside the parking area, the trail is still closed to all users.
It doesn’t take a visitor to the trailhead long to see that the problems at Lead Draw go far beyond safety issues, with the area littered with used hypodermic needles and beer cans strewn amongst the recently shot brass and shotgun shells. After filling the trash bags I had with me with trash, I began to see the ongoing negligence of this area run deeper than the surface showed. The back of the Forest Service’s wooden announcement board is riddled with larger holes that are the result of years of shooting shotguns and high caliber rifles at the sign in an open display of disdain by certain members of the public. The newly posted neon signs covering the gaping hole gave me the same impression that the trail closure itself did, that it is easier to simply cover up a problem in the short-term with seemingly easy solutions.
I asked one ISU student, Landon Winegar, what his thoughts were on the temporary trail closure in the Caribou-Targhee National Forest.
“Since coming to Pocatello for college I have been constantly delighted by the immense access to beautiful public land that Pocatello affords,” said Winegar. “It is one of the biggest reasons I hope to stay in the Pocatello area for a long time. I come from a town much smaller than Pocatello surrounded by nature, but most of the land was either private with no access or the access to land was very limited with few trails. The immense network of trails Pocatello has surrounding it is a treasure.”
“I was saddened to hear about the closure of the Lead Draw Trail,” said Winegar. “However, I realize the necessity of the temporary closure in order to ensure the safety of the community. The word is that it is a temporary closure while they come up with a solution. My only fear is that this temporary closure will last indefinitely. I have heard of public trails and land being closed “temporarily” to certain uses and then after many years, still never being reopened. I hope that some sort of solution will be reached in a reasonable amount of time. I personally have never had a close call with a shooter but recognize the dangers that come with having a trailhead at a popular shooting area.”
In a search for public input from the Forest Service, I asked Winegar what he saw as solutions to the Lead Draw Trail closure.
“I have heard of many possible solutions,” said Winegar. “I am not sure what the right one should be. Maybe just more education and stronger enforcement of rules to both trail users and shooters would be sufficient?”
“Perhaps reopening the lead draw to large motor vehicles so trail users can access the trail further up away from shooters? I am not really sure what the best solution is, I just hope those managing the land will choose a solution that respects all users and reach out to the community to help inform their decision.”
“Again, I love the trails and access to public and even some private land available in this area.” said Winegar. “I use them on a weekly if not daily basis, hiking and trail running in the spring and cross country skiing in the winter. They are also a wonderful resource to people who use motorized and mechanized modes of transportation. There are trails for all abilities, from tranquil flat paved ones along the river to steep rocky exciting ones up and down the mountains around us. As Pocatello grows, I foresee many more land use issues like this arising. I hope the government agencies and different user groups and private entities will be able to work together now and in the future to solve the problems we currently face such as Lead Draw and the new problems that will surely arise in the future so that we can preserve this amazing resource we are privileged to be neighbors to.”
“Although Lead Draw Trail is currently closed, there are miles and miles of many other amazing trails in the area to be explored,” Winegar added. “I think everyone should get out and find one they love so that there will be overwhelming support for their preservation in the future.” The Westside Ranger District posted a list of alternative trails to use, with non-motorized trails including: Cherry Springs Trail as an easy trail for beginners; Kinney Creek Trail, Sterling Justice Trail, Dry Creek Trail, and Gibson Jack Trail for medium to intermediate hikers and horse riders; and Slate Mountain Trail which is rated as hard, more suited for advanced hikers.
