Idaho Parks and Recreation Board Approves Safer Route for Idaho Centennial Trail

BOISE, Idaho - The Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation announced that it is pursuing a route change to the Idaho Centennial Trail (ICT). This route change will offer users a safer route to cross Big Creek in the Salmon-Challis National Forest.

The Idaho Centennial Trail spans approximately 900 miles across Idaho, connecting communities, public lands and some of the state's most remote and scenic landscapes.
In partnership with land managers and the public the board at IDPR has the authority to change routes on the ICT and this route change will avoid an unbridged crossing of big creek which can be highly dangerous during high water events.

The current route follows Lookout Mountain Ridge Trail to Big Creek, where trail users must ford the creek because there is no bridge. As a result of this route change the ICT will follow Milk Creek Trail #064 and Monumental Creek Trail #005, allowing users to cross Big Creek at an existing bridge near the junction with Monumental Creek.

The new route will add approximately nine miles to the Idaho Centennial Trail. IDPR staff determined that the additional mileage is a worthwhile tradeoff for improved safety and accessibility.
"A longer trail isn't always a better trail, but in this case, the additional miles provide a significant safety benefit," said IDPR Director Susan Buxton. "By routing the Idaho Centennial Trail across an existing bridge, we can help ensure that more people can experience this incredible section of the ICT without having to take on a potentially dangerous creek crossing."

The Idaho Centennial Trail's official route was established by the IDPR Board in June 1990. IDPR later entered a Memorandum of Understanding with the United States Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management outlining the process for changes to the official route.

The Salmon-Challis National Forest, which manages the portion of the ICT affected by the change, supports the reroute.

Following the Board's approval, IDPR will be posting notice of the proposed route change and open a 30-day public comment period. Public feedback will be collected and presented to the Board as part of the final process.

If you would like to submit public feedback on this project please contact Hailey Husband, IDPR's Non-Motorized Trails Program Coordinator at [email protected] or (208)-514-2419.