The final week of the YCP season brought a nice change of pace and a chance to finish on a high note. The crew split their time between hauling logs to a trail project at Blacktail Butte and lending a hand with historic preservation work at Mormon Row.
Each morning began with log carries to the Upper Blacktail climbing area—a tough workout but an important contribution to the trail crew preparing for future work there. Once the logs were staged, the team went to Mormon Row, where they helped restore several historic structures at the north end of the site. Projects included painting shutters, repairing a porch, realigning barn walls and doors, and reinforcing a culvert crossing. A park historian also stopped by to share the stories behind Mormon Row, giving the crew valuable context for their hands-on efforts.
By Wednesday, the preservation projects were complete, and the difference was clear: barns and homesteads stabilized, refreshed, and ready to stand a little longer thanks to YCP’s help.
Thursday marked the season’s end. After hauling the last of the Blacktail logs, the crew wrapped up at the trail shop with final evaluations, surveys, and a celebratory lunch before heading their separate ways. It was a bittersweet goodbye for a group that had built such a strong bond over the summer.
From big projects like the Leigh Lake boat portage to countless miles of brushing, drainage, and restoration, this year’s YCP crew can be proud of all they accomplished. Their work has already left a lasting mark on Grand Teton’s trails and historic sites—and it will be enjoyed by visitors for years to come.