Jefferson River Canoe Trail Proposed. Article from the Montana Standard.

Jefferson River canoe trail proposed
By Perry Backus of The Montana Standard, 10/18/2004

SILVER STAR - When Thomas Elpel walks out his backdoor and sees the Jefferson River winding its way toward Three Forks, he can't help but wonder what it would be like to spend days drifting downriver.

"I've been fascinated by the river for a long time," said Elpel of Silver Star. "It's so rich in biodiversity. It has so much wildlife that floating it is almost like an African safari."

As it stands, there are no designated campsites along the river. Camping isn't allowed at state fishing access sites. Most of the rest of the land along the river is in private hands. Even the isolated tracts of federal lands along the river are hard to find and aren't developed for camping.

"Right now you can't really connect fully with the ecosystem along the river," said Elpel.

Elpel and a small but dedicated group of people hope to change that.

The 3Rivers Park organization is proposing the development of a network of floater's camps along the Jefferson River. They are in the middle of a fund-raiser to purchase a 10-acre tract close to the river near the Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park that could become the first campsite of the new Lewis and Clark Jefferson River Trail.

Another rancher near Three Forks is working with the group on a 40-acre tract that may be added to the trail.

Elpel wants eventually to see as many as seven or eight sites along the 83-mile length of the Jefferson River where floaters could stop for a night and enjoy the scenery and abundant wildlife.

The hope is that private landowners will come forward with other parcels that could be purchased or donated to help establish the trail.

"We're looking for any unused parcel on the river, especially those with natural barriers and room for people for roam," Elpel said.

For instance, the parcel that the group now holds a buy/sell agreement on near the Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park would open up thousands of acres of public lands for floaters to explore. The "Canyon Corner" 10-acre parcel runs along a sliver of Bureau of Land Management land along the river.

"Whoever owns this property has virtual control over more than a half mile of BLM river front property," Elpel says of the Canyon Corner parcel.

On the other side are thousands of acres of state-owned lands.

"It's not simply a place where you could stake a tent," said Elpel. "Floaters would be able to go on awesome hikes in the park as well."

The group is looking for people willing to help purchase the property at the cost of $79,900. People interested in donating may call Elpel at 685-3222 or contact him through the group's Web site at 3riverspark.org.

"We're getting lots of enthusiastic support for it," Elpel said. "People are really concerned about access right now. We're interested in finding ways to work with ranchers to find ways to keep people on the land rather than seeing those lands split up into subdivisions."

Elpel hopes to build an advocacy group interested in protecting the river.

"We want to be able to sustain our Montana traditions that are so important to the people who live here," he said.

Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commissioner Tim Mulligan likes the idea of volunteers coming together to help provide floaters access to camping sites.

"Anything that can bring more people to the table is a good thing," Mulligan said. "It seems like this could provide some opportunities that are different from what is available now."

The group's efforts would center on sites that couldn't be accessed from the road. Mulligan said those types of access are better managed by the state.

Mulligan said he also likes the idea that the group is willing to step forward to help take care of the sites. While the state is always concerned about the increased need for opportunities and access, it also has to be aware of increasing costs to manage what it already has, he said.

"We want to be able to be a good neighbor," he said.

Considering the excitement surrounding the upcoming bicentennial celebration of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, Elpel said it's a bit surprising that there hasn't been more of a focus on the Jefferson River. The river is part of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail.

"Of all the rivers that Lewis and Clark traveled, this is the one they decided to name after the president who sent them on their journey," he said.

People who've lived along the Jefferson River for all their lives tell Elpel about how they've lost access to places they grew up fishing and hunting. If future Montanans are going to be able to enjoy the scenic beauty of the Jefferson River, people now need to do what they can to make a difference, he said.

"We're interested in doing something now that people will be able to appreciate 100 years from now," said Elpel.

Used with permission of the Montana Standard.

Return to Jefferson River Canoe Trail Home Page.

Thomas J. Elpel's Webworld Pages
Green University | Granny's Country Store | HOPS Press, LLC
Sustainable Living Skills | Primitive Living Skills
Wildflowers & Weeds | Society of Primitive Technology
Jefferson River Canoe Trail | What's New? | Search This Site!

Return to Thomas J. Elpel's
Web World Portal | Web World Tunnel
© 1997 - 2008 Thomas J. Elpel