Trout Unlimited and the US Forest Service have teamed up for another habitat rehabilitation project and need volunteers at 9 a.m. Saturday, June 11 at the Tolch Rock trailhead. The group plans to rehabilitate a stretch of Tolch Rock Trail to improve problems with water drainage. Volunteers need only bring snacks and water, the Forest Service will provide tools. All volunteers will be given a season pass to the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center.
Tolch Creek is a small stream that drains into the west side of Mendenhall Lake between Skater’s Cabin and the West Glacier trailhead. The stream supports Coho and Sockeye salmon. The Tolch Rock Trail, which parallels the lower reaches of the stream on its north side, has adversely impacted fish habitat along the stream, particularly along a 40-foot section of trail about 250 feet from the trailhead.
The group will lower a high bank on one side of the trail and use it to fill in a low spot in between the trail and the stream. The trail will be relocated farther away from the stream and the Forest Service will fill the trail in with gravel in a few weeks.
