BEAVERHEAD-DEERLODGE NATIONAL FOREST - Blacktail Trails Construction

Z- AG-0356-S-12-0005 Blacktail Trails Construction Project Location and Directions: The Blacktail Trails Construction Project is located in the Southern Snowcrests, a popular destination for hikers and stock users. Access is highly dependent on snowpack, and the trail might not melt out completely until mid-July. To get to the project from Dillon go east on the Blacktail Deer Creek Road. Follow the signs to East Fork Blacktail Campground. It's about 30 miles, and takes 1.5 hours. Park at the campground and follow the trail at the end of the campground. Hike up the BLM trail 1808 for approximately - mile to a creek crossing, ford the creek and continue on BLM until you reach a bear management sign. The Forest Service begins at the sign, and so does the trail work. Excavators may cross the Blacktail Deer Creek on BLM a maximum of 3 times per year. The BLM does not want dirt bikes or other motorized equipment crossing the creek for any reason. Fording Blacktail Deer Creek with a machine might be tricky early in the year. Excavators can also access the trail from the Notch. The Notch is a cabin located in the southern Snowcrests. To get to the Notch travel east from Dillon on Sweetwater Road. Kentucky Street turns into Sweetwater at the edge of town. Follow Sweetwater Road about 25 miles to a turnoff on your right. It is signed. Turn right towards the Notch and continue driving up to the cabin, almost 20 more miles. After the Notch cabin continue on the 2-track - road to the actual Notch in the rocks and park. Hike - of a mile south to the end of the work at Honeymoon Park. Call the Madison Ranger District for directions. There are three trails in this project. Trail #1 is the mainline East Fork of Blacktail Deer Creek from the boundary to the junction with the Snowcrest Trail at Honeymoon Park. Trail #2 is the Two Meadows Trail. Two Meadows can be accessed off of the East Fork Trail approximately 5 miles from the beginning of the work. Trail #3 is the Lodgepole Trail. Lodgepole is signed at one of the creek crossings about 2 miles from the start of the project. The work on Lodgepole is very minimal. Description of Work. The project consists of constructing almost 3 miles of new trail, reconditioning of 4 miles of existing trail, and one mile of route location of existing trail. Construction items include clearing and grubbing, turns, drainage structures, sign installation and puncheon construction. Stake refreshing and cleanup are required in this contract. The project is located mostly through sagebrush meadows. The main objective of this project is to pull the existing trail up onto sidehills and away from the creek. Construction Magnitude is between $100,000 and $250,000. Performance Period is 150 days from the issuance of the Notice to Proceed.