Scientific Investigations Report 2008–5115
Abstract
Reenactments of historical pioneer emigrations have increased in popularity since the celebration of these events during the United States bicentennial in 1976. From 1999 to 2006, approximately 70,000 Mormon trekkers traveled the Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail (hereinafter referred to as the Trail) segment between Sixth Crossing and Rock Creek Hollow in Fremont County, Wyoming. Recent elevated levels of use have raised concerns over potential recreation-related damage to this particularly scenic segment of the Trail. In 2006, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) contracted the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to conduct an aerial-photographic assessment of the condition of the Trail between Sixth Crossing and Rock Creek Hollow. Specifically, the USGS was to assess trail conditions for this segment as influenced by handcart use (low, medium, and high intensity of use) and concentrated activities associated with trekking (toilet, rest, and camp sites). Based on these results, there are identifiable management considerations. Toilet and rest sites need to be carefully located relative to where sensitive vegetation or soils occur. The analyses presented here indicate that limiting motorized vehicle use needs to be a priority over that of adjusting the number of trekkers. Additionally, monitoring of the Trail from Sixth Crossing to Rock Creek Hollow segment needs to consider explicit management targets, such as minimum acceptable levels of bare ground or trail width, and the establishment of permanent monitoring plots to evaluate targets and measure responses to altered management activities. |
Version 1.0 Posted August 2008 |
McDougal, R.R., Waltermire, R.G., Aldridge, C.L., Germaine, S.S., Nielsen, S.E., Nielsen, C.C., Hanson, Leanne, and Bowen, Z.H., 2008, An aerial-photographic assessment of reenacted handcart treks on a section of the Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail, Fremont County, Wyoming: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2008–5115, 70 p.
Abstract
Introduction
Purpose and Scope
Study Area
Physical Setting
Geologic Setting
Methods of Investigation
Photo Acquisition and Orthorectification
Delineation of Historic Trail and Trekker-Use Area
Classification of Imagery to Bare-Ground Estimates
Trail-Use Data
Sampling Design and Analyses
Results
Trekker-Use Data
Depiction of Trail and Other Spatial Data
Effects of Trekkers on Bare Ground
Patterns in Trail Width by Trekkers
Patterns of Bare Ground On and Off the Trail by Mormon Handcart-Use Intensity
Patterns of Bare Ground by Concentrated-Use Areas
Discussion
Study Limitations
Management Considerations
Summary
Acknowledgments
References Cited
Appendix 1. Aerial Photograph Acquisition and Ground-Control GPS Details
Appendix 2. Orthorectification and External Orientation Standard Operating Procedures
Appendix 3. Photo Orthorectification: Bundle Adjustment, Color Balance, Mosaicking
Appendix 4. Delineation of the Trail and Trekker-Use Areas
Appendix 5. Classification of Imagery to Bare-Ground Estimates
Appendix 6. Details of Datasets and Statistical Analyses
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Last modified: Thursday, 10-Jan-2013 18:53:00 EST
