Sawtooth National Forest

The agency files it as “Sawtooth Lodge Master Development Plan”

Timing

The agency stopped taking comments on October 13. What you find still counts: it backs the formal objections from people who did comment, it goes to the lawyers on the fight, and it is the story.

What to go and check

Walk the Sawtooth Lodge grounds and the ground right around it. Photograph the existing cabins and buildings, the parking area and how full it is, and any campsites, fire rings and paths people have worn in. Date every shot.

The decision

The Sawtooth National Forest and Sawtooth National Recreation Area are proposing to analyze an accepted Master Development Plan for the Sawtooth Lodge, covering both new and existing facilities. The project falls under special use management. The public is invited to submit written comments on the proposal.

Read the whole thing, and write to the agency about it

How to record it so it counts

01Photograph the trailhead or access point with the vehicles in it. Count them and note the time and day.
02Photograph the pull-off camp spots outside any campground, the fire rings, and the worn paths that show people come here.
03Sit for a fixed time and count people passing and what they are doing.
04Write down what you know about how this place gets used across a year.

What would count

A vehicle count with the day and time. Weekends and weekdays both, if you can.
Fire rings and sites the document says aren’t there.

All of it, with the phone settings, in the field guide

Are you going?

Say yes or no. It tells the next person whether anyone has this ground covered, and it is the only way we know a request was answered rather than just read. You can change your mind any time, and nobody follows up.

Join, then say you’re going

Nobody has answered yet

Before you go

Public land only. Plenty of land inside a national forest or park boundary is privately owned, and that is not yours to walk on. A gate or a closure sign means stop. Check the rules for the specific place you are going, because they differ.
Don’t touch survey stakes, flagging, equipment or anything a crew left. Photograph it; leave it.
Don’t approach crews, contractors or agency staff about the project. Don’t interfere with any operation.
Wildlife at a distance. No drones in wilderness or anywhere they’re prohibited. Stay off closed roads and trails.
If you’re not sure, don’t. Weather, terrain, water, fire and people are your call, and yours alone.

More Than Just Parks doesn’t direct where you go or what you do. Terms.