Current Plan

The coalition is at the concept stage. We have drafted a modest set of trail connections in the southern Sawtooth Valley — most of them reopening trails that existed 20–30 years ago — and we are sharing that concept publicly, starting with this site.

To be clear about the formal status: no proposal has been submitted, and no approvals have been sought yet. Nothing is final, and community input is genuinely shaping the concept.

What we're working on now

Refining the routes — field-checking the historic alignments we hope to reopen and identifying where short new connectors would be needed.

Listening — gathering input from residents, property owners, and visitors, especially local knowledge about sensitive areas we should avoid.

Preparing for the process — organizing the concept into materials suitable for the Forest Service's established planning and public-input processes.

Building the coalition — growing the group of neighbors, trail users, and local expertise behind the effort — see Leadership.

What happens next

Any trail work on National Forest land goes through the U.S. Forest Service — this is a strength of the concept, not an obstacle. The path forward: incorporate community input and complete field checking; submit a formal proposal and seek a public-private partnership to plan, build, and maintain the trails; then the Forest Service's established processes, including formal public comment. Trail work happens only if and as approved.

A concept map showing the proposed connections is in the works and will be published here when it's ready.

Founding member David Tedesco discusses the concept of adding trail connections — and the process that would be involved — with SNRA Area Ranger Michael Fuller and staff. Mr. Fuller explains the Forest Service's process and the limits of Forest Service resources. Following the meeting, Mr. Tedesco contracts with Titus Trails to begin developing the concept.