YCP’s second week on the job was a full one, with plenty of variety and a few special moments along the way.
On Monday, the crew headed to Schwabacher Landing to address some trail trenching by spreading fill material in high-use areas. It was hands-on, practical work—perfect for reinforcing some early-season trail maintenance skills. That afternoon, they took a well-earned break to meet with Grand Teton National Park Foundation staff and YCP supporters. It’s always a highlight of the season to connect in person with the folks who make this program possible!
Tuesday brought a different kind of tune-up. The crew met with Elizabeth Koutrelakos, a local therapist who spent nearly a decade leading the YCP crew. She talked about mental and physical wellness, teamwork, and nutrition—tools for staying grounded and strong throughout the summer. Elizabeth has been part of YCP’s early season rhythm for years now, and her visit is always a welcome one.
Afterward, the group hiked out to Leigh Lake and jumped into their next big project: the Leigh Lake Portage replacement. This week’s focus was on demo work—removing an old retaining wall and prepping peeled logs for installation. It was great for the crew to get familiar with a site they’ll be returning to regularly in the coming weeks.
Midweek, the team split up to tackle two very different tasks. One group headed up to the Lower Paintbrush Canyon camping zone for trail brushing, while the other worked on restoring some long-overdue drainage features on the north side of String Lake. Both areas saw big improvements by day’s end—and the crew got some solid practice in trail rehab basics.
Thursday started off with a boat ride (not a bad way to kick off the day!) from Signal Mountain to Hermitage Point. From there, the team brushed their way back toward Colter Bay, widening and clearing about 1.5 miles of trail. The biggest surprise? A grizzly bear cruising across the sage flats in the morning light—at a safe distance, and an unforgettable sight!
By the end of the week, the crew had not only put in some serious work—they also laid down the foundation for the season ahead. With new skills, big projects underway, and a few memorable moments already in the books, they're more than ready for what’s next.
