On the eastern end of the trail, Stephanie has been busy with regional travel and making new community connections.  In mid-August, she met with our agency partner, the US Forest Service, and one of our regional partners, the Idaho Conservation League, to scout potential trail routes in the Idaho Selkirks.  From their vantage point at the summit of Myrtle Peak, Stephanie and companions could see the intense descent from the current route on Parker Ridge to Lion Creek and equally intense ascent to Lookout Mountain.  They marveled at the incredible physical strength and inner resolve of PNT hikers to take on this particular traverse of the Idaho Selkirks while pondering alternative routes which would provide equal beauty yet greatly improved trail tread sustainability.  

Over the next few years, as we finalize the route with the Federal Advisory Council, this section of trail traversing the Idaho Panhandle will be of special interest due to the heightened protections for the threatened grizzly bear population in the area. Federal mandates for the protection of threatened wildlife as well as the preservation of multi-use recreation opportunities creates a challenge for land managers who are mandated to balance these and other diverse priorities.

As can be expected, Stephanie has been busy in off-trail meetings with fellow regional trail management staff such as those who work to promote and protect the adjacent section of the Continental Divide trail.  She is also getting connected with regional chapters of the Backcountry Horsemen of America who serve as excellent allies in caring for hard-to-reach trail segments.