The final days of the 2018 Youth Conservation Program came to a close last week and marked the end of yet another incredible season on the trail. While most participants had to return home for school and sports commitments, the remaining members pushed on. The week began with brushing and log-out operations around Two Ocean Lake on the eastern edge of the park. The remaining days were spent replacing a hitch-rail at the Leigh Lake patrol cabin.
The last members of the 2018 YCP ended the season in style with a project on the north end of Leigh Lake. Above, they work together to ensure the vertical posts for their new hitch-rail are perfectly leveled before moving on to scribing the notches on the horizontal rail.
YCP members Belle and Hilarion took the lead on the hitch-rail project. After a full season on the crew, they have honed their log-working skills and were up to the challenge of scribing the notches for the soon-to-be-completed triangular structure. According to YCP leaders, the notches fit like a glove. Way to go Belle and Hilarion! To add to the impressive work they performed during this last week of YCP, both Belle and Hilarion finished the 10-week season with perfect attendance.
Teamwork makes the dreamwork! YCP leaders have been highly impressed with the cohesiveness and cooperation of this year’s crew. Here they combine their skills to draw a flat notch to fit the horizontal rail to the vertical posts.
With another awesome season of the Youth Conservation Program on the record, crew members can revel in their shared successes, challenges met, and obstacles overcome. Thank you to the hard-working members of YCP and Grand Teton trail crew for your dedication to the conservation and stewardship of this special park.
There is nothing like the feeling of accomplishment YCP participants experience at the end of the program—the thumbs up says it all!