SVI Media’s Dan Dockstader spoke with Chad McCoy and Peggy Reins, who are overseeing trail improvements in the Kemmerer Ranger District of the Bridger-Teton National Forest.

(0:00) SBI Media up on the Schaefer Creek and South of Barge trails of the Kemmerer Ranger District today. (0:05) We are standing here with Chad McCoy, Peggy Raines. You’re actually the crew leaders that (0:12) are overseeing a project to kind of bring this trail back to life.
(0:15) Where do we start? Give us a visual explanation of what you’re doing. (0:20) Well we are rerouting through a wet meadow to keep the trail up on a higher ground where it’s (0:26) dry so the hikers, bikers, horsemen can make their way through more easily. (0:32) Okay.
Want to add to that, Peggy? (0:33) I don’t want to add anything. I just think it’s going to be such a huge improvement and (0:37) we’ve already had mountain bikers on the trail who have enjoyed the experience. (0:44) You’ve come all the way from Niles, Illinois to help out with this.
You’re volunteers (0:48) with the American Hiking Society. Tell us a little bit about (0:52) that and the society and how you get involved in such a massive project like this. (0:56) I’ll start.
We love the American Hiking Society which has a mission to make America’s trails (1:05) available to more people and we are committed to their mission and Chad and I have traveled all (1:14) over the United States and had the privilege of experiencing so many different areas of this (1:23) country so by working on this we hope that more people can get out and enjoy the beauty of this (1:31) area. It is so gorgeous. We’re just so privileged to be here.
(1:35) Chad, your impressions of the work in the area? (1:37) Oh the area is breathtakingly beautiful. From a flatlander near Chicago to see this is just (1:43) somewhat overwhelming but very enjoyable. Working with the host, the Bridger-Teton (1:51) Kimmerer Ranger District, they’ve been fabulous.
I’m going to forget some names but Chelsea and (2:00) Coleman and Doug and I’m forgetting some names but the whole office that we’ve met so far has (2:06) been just wonderful treating us very well. Support is great. So yeah it’s been the whole crew, a crew (2:14) of nine people have thoroughly enjoyed the work and have rolled their sleeves up and is loving it.
(2:21) So I just have to add to this, I am so impressed with the Kimmerer District staff. (2:27) They really, when they talk about this area being the jewel of the Bridger-Teton. (2:36) You agree with that.
Yes we do. Part of the reason it’s a jewel is because of the staff that (2:44) commit so much of their lives to making it a place that people want to visit. (2:52) How much longer are you here for? (2:53) We’re here through Saturday morning.
We will take our leave, we’ll pack up our camp and leave (3:00) Saturday morning after a quick breakfast. Closing thoughts on helping the Kimmerer (3:04) Ranger District? Oh it’s just been a wonderful experience. The people are (3:08) wonderful, beautiful people and the area is just breathtakingly beautiful.
(3:13) I can’t say more. It’s a beautiful area. Chad McCoy, Peggy Raines, they’re with the (3:19) American Hiking Society.
They’re the crew chiefs working on these trails up in the Kimmerer (3:23) District. Dan Dockstader for SVI Media.