The 21,000-acre lightning-ignited Berry Fire of 2016 was the largest wildfire in the history of Grand Teton National Park. It caused extensive damage and destroyed bridges, wooden retaining walls, and drainage structures, which left behind dangerous hazards from burned stump holes to large snags. Fire rehabilitation funds from federal sources only scratched the surface of repairing trail damage during summer 2017.
Firefighters were able to protect all of the structures at Flagg Ranch thanks to forest thinning years before, adequate defensible space, and protection efforts that were put in place days and weeks before the fire reached the area. The Flagg Ranch parking lot was used as a safety zone while the fire burned through the area.
Two bridges on the Glade Creek trail were completely destroyed. One of these crosses Glade Creek and provides safe passage across the stream—an essential feature during spring runoff. With increased visitation throughout the park, this area is becoming more popular every year as people seek to escape the crowds.
An aerial view of the Snake River in John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway shows areas burned during the Berry Fire in August and September 2016.
Despite the beauty of this location, the park has difficulty obtaining funding for trails in Berry Creek due to a low asset rating compared to other parts of the park. However, the need to maintain these trails persists.
In response, the Foundation will fund two, five-person crews to complete work in summer 2018 on Glade Creek and Webb Canyon trails. Grand Teton National Park trail crews will be based out of the Lower Berry Creek patrol cabin and Grassy Lake Road campsites.
To learn more about this trail renewal effort, please contact Mark Berry at (307) 732-0629 or at mark@gtnpf.org.