2026 is a big year of changes for GFTBRA’s hired Sawyer Trail Clearing program. Last post, we touched upon our area expansion into additional covered areas (Helena, Lincoln) and mentioned that we were able to hire an additional couple of part-time sawyers in the Helena area.

This post is about the expansion of our full-time crews servicing the Little Belts, Castles, Highwoods, and other portions in the eastern portions of the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest.

GFTBRA has been administering this program in direct partnership with USFS for the past 15+ years. It has grown from a couple guys working part-time, to where we are today. This season we have been able to hire 7 full-time sawyers with an additional 2 part-time sawyers available to fill-in if needed. Running 2 or more crews at a time will allow us to cover additional ground at a quicker pace throughout our public trail system within the confines of our limited seasonal access. It will also allow us to send crews out to work on some trails that have been neglected for many years due to lack of manpower and hours in the day.

Here are some before / after photos from the first couple weeks of work this season: