After a summer's worth of work, the Ross Creek Cedars area in the Kootenai National Forest is open to the public again.

The closure order was lifted earlier this month and the popular attraction opened to everyone Sept. 12.

The new Ross Creek Nature Trail No. 405 is now classified as a Trail Class 5-Fully Developed Trail. The main priority of the project was to provide full accessibility and make the trail sustainable to nature’s elements.

Retired Montana State Highway Patrol Officer Sgt. John “Buck” O’Neill and his wife Bonnie were able to enjoy the new byway, successfully navigating the full trail, thanks to the accessibility improvements. 

These improvements included the following:

- Construction of almost one mile of new trail using compacted gravel materials, producing a firm and stable trail surface to provide a user-friendly, all-season trail for all types and ages of visitors, including strollers and wheelchairs;

- Installation of 16 new, heavy-duty benches dispersed throughout the Cedars;

- Three new trail bridges;

- Addition of approximately 200 feet of boardwalk;

- Five new wooden walkways, constructed utilizing logs or planks to traverse wet or boggy areas of a trail;

- Designated spur trails were developed to lead into and around character trees. These trails will help protect cedar groves and other vegetation from the high visitation rates.

Kootenai National Forest officials were thankful to everyone who worked on the project.