Big Larch opens this weekend

SEELEY LAKE – More than 30 US Forest Service employees and four volunteers from the community worked May 15 cleaning campsites, piling and chipping brush and getting Big Larch Campground ready to open Memorial Day weekend. Big Larch boat launch is expected to be open with the campground May 24 at 9 a.m. as well as all the other gated campgrounds in the Seeley Lake Ranger District.

Prior to the clean up day, Seeley Lake's Acting District Ranger Quinn Carver estimated nearly 200 cords of wood was hauled out of the campground during the firewood days May 3-12. District recreation staff Eric Burt said that one group used a horse trailer to haul wood. They took 20 cords of wood by themselves.

"[Firewood cutters] did a good job for the most part," said Carver. "They were really respectful on their brush and they helped each other. It was good."

Carver said the intent of the workday May 15 was to make the campground as presentable as possible for users when it opened. Volunteers and employees raked the campsites, stacked brush and firewood and hauled brush to the wood chipper that ran non-stop. While the community volunteers expressed their disappointment that after the community was so upset about Big Larch being closed last year, only four people showed up to help, the numbers didn't discourage Carver.

"The bond between the community and Forest is important," said Carver. "If people want to come out and help, it's their resource too. I love it. I think it is awesome. I didn't know if we would get anyone, but to have four is great."

One of the community volunteers Jeff Harrits said it was nice to see everyone from the fire crews to the trail crews out lending a hand and a few volunteers from the community making the place ready for visitors. He and his wife cut nearly four cords of wood during the firewood days so he thought he could come out and help clean up some of that.

"It sounded like a good way to spend part of the day," said Harrits. "It's great."

Local couple Cheri and Steve Thompson were also helping out. They both agreed it was a great collaborative event and are looking forward to more volunteer opportunities in the future.

Burt said the Montana Conservation Corps will be working in the campground in June doing additional work including painting picnic tables and piling brush. He added there has also been interest from the high school to do another work day. They are hoping to facilitate that.

The boat ramp is ready for boaters. The day before the work day, District employees installed bank stabilization at the boat ramp area and planted willows. While there is still some concrete work to be finished, that won't happen until this fall when the water is lower.

All campgrounds with a gate will be open Friday morning, May 24 at 9 a.m. Friday night will be the first night fees are charged. All services are available including water, bathrooms and trash.