Jackson Hole News & Guide, Emma Breysse- At least three more sets of ski tracks have shown up in the closed areas of Josies Ridge during the past week.
It was not unexpected after two skiers left their own evidence of having violated the closure the week before, authorities said.
“People see tracks and they think, ‘Oh, it’s OK to go,’” said Linda Merigliano, the Bridger-Teton National Forest’s north zone trails manager. “We’ll be doing some investigating trying to see where these tracks are coming down and whether we need to increase the signs and postings in that area.”
Josies Ridge, which is the southernmost point visible from the ridge that begins with Snow King Mountain, is closed during the winter to protect wildlife during lean months. The U.S. Forest Service is hunting for the people who “poached the powder” in violation of that closure.
“We’ve been trying to put out that information, both to try to find these people and to be clear that even if there are tracks, it isn’t allowed to be in there,” Merigliano said. “The problem is that you usually don’t have a vehicle or anything you can use for follow-up.”
When that sort of thing happens, authorities said, the skiers usually hike up Snow King Mountain, which is not only not closed but is the site of a ski resort, and traverse along the ridge that connects the two points.
Merigliano said there are signs at the top of the ridge that should make it clear the trip violates the law. She said the U.S. Forest Service intends to look into whether those signs are as clear as they could be.
Enforcing the closure is important for animals, she said, because Josies Ridge and the trail network it connects to provide the only route down to Flat Creek that doesn’t involve crossing a road.
Ensuring that animals feel safe in the area and that they don’t have to waste calories that are difficult to replace in the deep snows common to the area are important goals for the Forest Service.
Craig Benjamin, executive director of the Jackson Hole Conservation Alliance, which spearheads a “don’t poach the powder” campaign, said it’s “really hard” to avoid seeing signs.
“The way we think about all of this is most people in our community care,” he said. “A small percentage are jerks and really don’t care, and those are the people you see leaving tracks in a wildlife closure area.”
Violating a closure area is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to six months in jail and a $5,000 fine.
Anyone who might have seen the people who left tracks on Josies Ridge can leave a tip for the authorities by calling 739-5500, an anonymous tip line, or by calling Teton Interagency Dispatch at 739-3301.