Veterans Trail Crew- Pilot Hill
Sponsored by: The Pilot Hill Project
For Hitch 3, the Veterans Trail Crew headed back to Pilot Hill to conduct more trail building for new trails on Pilot Hill. While on Pilot Hill, the VTC, worked alongside Crew 3 to finish up new construction on Trail 6. Afterwards, the VTC began construction on Trail 12. Also, The VTC constructed a number of rock features on both trails that consisted of tread armoring, edge armoring, and rock bridges.
For their day off, the Veterans Trail Crew headed up to the Snowy Range to spend a relaxing day fishing at Lake Marie.
All Said and Done:
- Approx. 1.75 miles of new trail constructed
- 9 different rock features constructed along new trail
- 3 sign posts constructed
All-Women’s Crew- Grand Teton National Park
Sponsored by: The National Parks Service
The All-Women’s Crew kicked off Hitch 3 by making the long drive back to Grand Teton National Park. While at Grand Teton NP the All-Women’s Crew continued invasive species removal and mitigation throughout the park. They spent a majority of their time spraying for invasive species along the bike path from Jenny Lake to the Headquarters Building in Moose. Targeted species included: Cheatgrass, Knapweed, Hounds Tongue, Muck Thistle, Canadian Thistle, and Yellow Sweet Clover.
For their day off, the All-Women’s Crew went for a hike around Jenny Lake then headed over to Jackson Lake to spend a few hours swimming and enjoying the warm temperatures. Afterwards, the crew headed into Jackson to enjoy a meal out.
All Said and Done:
- Approx. 18 acres sprayed and cleared of invasive species
- 7.4 miles of the Bike Path cleared and sprayed of invasive species
Crew 1- Arapaho Ranch
Sponsored by: Northern Arapaho Tribe
Members of Crew 1 and Crew 2 taking in the vast views of the Arapaho Ranch. 
Crew 1 and Crew 2 cleaning out the C-store. 
Teamwork makes the dream work! Members of crews 1 and 2 worked together to move a piano out of the Ice House. 
Crew member Anna Montesanti bucking and limbing trees around the Historic Mansion. 
Crew Members checking out old historic documents in the C-Store.
For Hitch 3, Crew 1 headed up to the Wind River Reservation to begin work on the historic Arapaho Ranch. While at Arapaho Ranch Crew 1 worked alongside Crew 2 to accomplish a variety of projects across the ranch. Much of Crew 1’s time was spent conducting historical preservation on old buildings across the ranch. Projects included; clearing out, cleaning, organizing, and painting the old C-Store, resealing windows, cleaning up the Blacksmith Shop and Ice House, and repairing the doors to the granary. Other work included old fence deconstruction and new fence construction, tree trimming and weed eating around the old Mansion and other historical buildings.
For their day off, Crew 1 spent the day tubing on the Bighorn River, hung out at the hot springs at Hot Springs State Park. Afterwards the crew enjoyed some well-deserved ice cream from Dairyland.
All Said and Done:
- 12 Cottonwood trees trimmed of low hanging branches
- 4 Cottonwood trees felled, bucked and limbed
- Approx. .25 mile of old sheep and cattle fence deconstructed
- Approx. .25 mile of new wildlife friendly fence constructed
- Cleaned and cleared out 6 historic buildings
- 2 benches painted and restored
Crew 2- Arapaho Ranch
Sponsored by: Northern Arapaho Tribe
Crew Member Julio showing off the clean up of the C-Store. 
Volunteer Steve teaching Crew Members how to fix the unfixable. 
Aftermath of cleaning out the C-Store. 
Crew Member Jack Groos headed up to trim trees. Word is he’s still stuck up there… 
“Rock me momma like a wagon wheel!” Crew 1 and 2 working together to move an old wagon. 
Crew 1’s Crew leader Renae teaching Crew 2 how to build fence. 
Team bonding exercises at 7am to start the day.
For Hitch 3, Crew 2 headed up to Arapaho Ranch to work alongside Crew 1 to help clean up the historic Arapaho Ranch. Crew 2 began work by cleaning out and saving historical documents and artifacts from various sites and buildings around Arapaho Ranch. They also repainted and cleaned the C-Store windows, doors, several benches, and fence entry ways. Afterwards, Crew 2 rebuilt approx. 400 ft of old fence and made it wildlife friendly. Additionally, they trimmed dead tree branches along the entrance to the Mansion. All the buildings Crew 2 cleaned up were filled with historic documents and artifacts that would’ve been lost if not for their hard work.
For their day off, Crew 2 joined Crew 1 on a river float down the Bighorn River before heading over to Hot Springs State Park to enjoy a soak in the hot springs. Afterwards, they enjoyed a meal out in Thermopolis.
All Said and Done:
- 12 Cottonwood trees trimmed of low hanging branches
- 4 Cottonwood trees felled, bucked and limbed
- Approx. .25 mile of old sheep and cattle fence deconstructed
- Approx. .25 mile of new wildlife friendly fence constructed
- Cleaned and cleared out 6 historic buildings
- 2 benches painted and restored
Crew 3- Pilot Hill
Sponsored by: The Pilot Hill Project
For Hitch 3, Crew 3 headed back up to Pilot Hill to work alongside the Veterans Trail Crew to finish construction on new trails. Crew 3 began work on Trail 6 where they cut in 1.5 miles of new trail and constructed rock bridges to cut off old two-tracks near Trail 6. Additionally, Crew 3 constructed a number of rock retaining walls and edge armoring to better improve the trail. Afterwards, they began work on Trail 12.
For their day off, Crew 3 spent the day at the movies watching Indiana Jones and the new Minions movie before enjoying a meal out.
All Said and Done
- 1.5 miles of new trail constructed
- 7 rock retaining walls constructed
- 4 rock bridges constructed
This AmeriCorps program is made possible through a generous grant from
ServeWyoming!
Wyoming Conservation Corps 