In an effort to preserve Montana Mountain for moose and Carcross/Tagish First Nation citizens who rely on them for food, use of a trail near Carcross is being restricted this fall.
A Sept. 26 notice from the Carcross Tagish Limited Partnership (CTLP) states the McDonald Creek Trail, which is accessed from a trailhead on the southern shore of Bennett Lake, will be closed for the season starting Oct. 1. According to CTLP executive director Derek Crowe, this fall will be the first year the closure is tried.
The notice from CTLP states that the decision to close the trail followed feedback from the Carcross/Tagish First Nation executive council measures. It compares the fall closure of the McDonald Creek area to the spring restrictions placed on areas of Nares, Caribou and Montana mountains that are intended to protect the lambing grounds of Dall Sheep in those areas.
Crowe explained that the idea for the closure was first raised by Wolf Clan councillor Ralph James, an accomplished outdoorsman, who observed that Montana Mountain “wasn’t the bread basket that it once was.”
“We talked about what it would be like if those trails, or specific trails, were to close down at certain times of the year, much like the Carcross Tagish Renewable Resource Council has done for the lambing areas, and everyone thought that that was a great idea,” Crowe said.
He added that he hopes recreational users will respect the closure in its first year noting that the situation would be observed for its effects, including via a network of trail cameras. Crowe noted that CTLP is also involved in the monitoring of disused mine sites on the mountain, assessing among other things their effect on the moose.
“The trails in and around Carcross are treasured by both locals and visitors. In making this request to avoid late fall use of the McDonald Creek Trail, we aim to support a future where our trails, community, and natural environment can coexist in harmony. This seasonal closure is part of ongoing efforts to prioritize environmental conservation while still providing opportunities for outdoor recreation,” the CTLP statement reads.
Contact Jim Elliot at jim.elliot@yukon-news.com
