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[Image Description: Four MCC members wade across a river. In the background, there are hillsides covered in gold from the quaking aspens, and deep green pine trees.]

Yellowstone Trails Flood Relief

A view down a recently repaired trail in Yellowstone.

Historic "500-year" floods rocked the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem in early June 2022. Most people know of the damage from images of houses and bridges crumbling into the river and roads closing; our crew got the opportunity to see far-reaching effects of the flood by working 12 miles up a well-known trail in the famous Lamar Valley of Yellowstone National Park. We got to experience the wonder of Yellowstone's backcountry almost completely alone, aside from frequent visits from roaming bison and a few run-ins with park rangers.

The work entailed re-routing and stabilizing sections of the trail where the floods ripped away huge swaths of bank and obliterated the trail. We learned a lot about the park's legacy and what it takes to make world-class quality trails. Our project partner, Mike Hoffman, strives to build structures that last 20 years or more. Working to his standards put our work ethic to the test. His wealth of knowledge and dedication to excellency is what makes Yellowstone backcountry trails so amazing, and we were honored to work on his crew.

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