Sweet Grass County Recreation Association

05/20/2026

Main Boulder Road update - shoulder erosion upstream of Hilary Bridge...
The three photos show the progression of shoulder erosion about one mile upstream from Hilary Bridge over the last couple of months without the effects of the heaviest river flows. I sent this photo montage to Park County officials this morning and received a rapid reply stating: "Thanks for reaching out. We have plans and are ready to go out for limited solicitation as soon as we have permission from FWP. They usually don’t allow rip rap to be placed after May 15th until high water is over." Here's hoping that segment remains passable until Park County can complet the repair work.

05/04/2026

Main Boulder Road update and attending another Park County Commission meeting..

Park County Commission May 5 Meeting Agenda: Bridge Capital Improvement Program

The agenda for the Park County Commission meeting includes a discussion about the County’s bridge capital improvement program. This program establishes priorities for bridge improvements by evaluating factors such as the current condition of each structure but does not necessarily factor in the consequences of doing bridge work later than sooner.

Hilary Bridge Repairs Deferred Again

As part of the capital improvement program, the Hilary Bridge repairs have been rescheduled again, kicking the can down the road into 2027.

Erosion One Mile Upstream of Hilary Bridge

Recent observations and photographs indicate that the Main Boulder River is actively eroding the riverbank approximately one mile upstream of the Hilary Bridge. Since January 18, the riverbank has collapsed by an additional 2 to 3 feet closer to the wheel path along a segment of about 30 feet. In previous meetings of the Commission, the reasons for not repairing Hilary Bridge two years ago and armoring the riverbank upstream of Hilary bridge pointed at weight restrictions for Sweet Grass County's Fleming Bridge. The new Fleming Bridge abutments, beams, and concrete deck and rail were all finished last fall, per Sweet Grass County public commitments, and the new bridge opened to traffic last month.

So what?

The trend suggested in these photos is that the high-water levels anticipated this spring and early summer will further erode the riverbank. There is a significant risk that the road near the affected area could become partially or completely washed out. This riverbank work, per Park County Public Works Department, depended upon the repairs to Hilary Bridge. Park County's bridge capital improvement program needs to fund Hilary Bridge repairs this year to save the Boulder Road from partially or fully washing out.

Speak up at the May 5 Park County Commission meeting if you are concerned about the upper Main Boulder Road and the consequences of continually deferring maintenance and repairs.

04/24/2026

Good news, I just spoke with a staffer in Representative Downing's DC office. Representative Downing did select the Main Boulder Bridge Project (upstream of Box Canyon) for one of his FY 2027 funding requests! If this request makes it into the appropriations, it will supplement the funding that Park County has already received from the State of Montana to rebuild both bridges.

04/24/2026

Upper Main Boulder Road Update...

At their meeting on April 14, the Park County Commissioners decided to move forward with plans to request approval from the U.S. Forest Service for constructing a bypass and a low water crossing around the broken bridge two miles upstream of Box Canyon. To support the county’s initiative, a SGCRA volunteer took the time to draft an application outlining the proposal, which was submitted to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) back in March by Park County Public Works. After reviewing the details, USACE responded by stating that no permit would be necessary for the project. This response marked the completion of their regulatory review, clearing an essential hurdle before the Forest Service can give its final approval for the construction.

On April 16, the SGCRA president met with the Yellowstone District Ranger and Recreation Officer. SGCRA has no current obligations; the Yellowstone District Office will send a permit to Park County for completion. U.S. Forest Service staff specialists must conduct surveys for an abbreviated environmental review. No timeline was provided, and it's unclear if SGCRA volunteers can build the rerouted trail around the damaged bridge this summer.

The week following the meeting, an official from the U.S. Forest Service office in Washington, DC reached out to SGCRA’s president to gather information about the closure and loss of access to the Forest. Ken Verheyen, a Senior Advisor to the Undersecretary responsible for overseeing Forest Service operations, offered to contact the Yellowstone District Ranger. His goal was to help secure resources and take steps to reopen the road for forest access this year.

Per a report from a Sweet Grass County commissioner this week, the Fleming Bridge is open to traffic. Good news for Park County, Montana so Public Works can move their equipment and material to start repairs on the Hilary Bridge.

04/17/2026

Dear Snowmobilers,
We hope you’ve enjoyed a great snowmobiling season so far. As our year wraps up, we are once again sending our ISMA End-Of Year Snowmobiler Survey – and we need your help.

This information is very important to the Snowmobile Community so that we have accurate data to best represent the positive impact of snowmobiling.

Please share the link below with your clubs and members and encourage them to participate in the ISMA End-Of Year Snowmobiler Survey. The insights gathered each year play a key role in helping us:

• Provide up-to-date statistics to government agencies, municipalities, and snowmobile associations.
• Highlight the economic impact of snowmobiling.
• Strengthen planning and advocacy efforts that support the future of our sport.

Survey Link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Snowmobile26

The more riders who participate, the stronger and more representative our data becomes. Your support in sharing this survey truly makes a difference.

Thank you for your help.

Warm Regards,

Sue
ISMA Office
Susan Andrews

Office Administrator

International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association

NEW OFFICE ADDRESS:
2843 East Grand River Ave. # 206

East Lansing, MI 48823-4989

517-339-7788

Take this survey powered by surveymonkey.com. Create your own surveys for free.

04/17/2026

Briefing: Main Boulder River Road in Park County and Sweet Grass County, Montana; Road Closure and Broken Bridges

(Provided to the Montana Snowmobile Association (MSA) leadership for their upcoming trip to Washington, DC, to meet with Montana Congressional delegation and staff.)

Introduction
The briefing outlines the loss of backcountry access to the Gallatin National Forest, south of Big Timber, Montana, following the closure of a road by Park County officials after two bridges collapsed during the 2022 flood, and the need to re-open the road for resource protection and restoring access to public and private property inholdings. The closure is about 50 miles south of Big Timber, along a road that meanders into and out of Sweet Grass and Park Counties and follows the Main Boulder River (see Figure 3).

Main Boulder Road History and Current Status

Historical Background
The Main Boulder Road was originally established in 1893, running entirely within Park County from the Chimney Rocks Pass near Cooke City, Montana, to the Boulder River Mining District. The shared jurisdiction of the route in the Boulder River Valley can be traced back to 1895 when Sweet Grass County was created from lands previously belonging to Park County. This joint oversight has continued since the road’s inception, which predates the creation of the Absaroka Forest in 1902—now known as the Custer Gallatin National Forest.

Geographic and Functional Significance
Located inside the Forest boundary, approximately 26 miles south of Big Timber, the Main Boulder Road serves as the main access route to the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness. The counties are responsible for owning and maintaining the road, even though they do not receive direct financial support for its upkeep. Importantly, this route provides access to Forest Service campgrounds and trailheads, serving area residents and visitors, and is the area’s only wintertime snowmobile trail.

Bridge Collapse and Funding Efforts
The collapse of two off-system bridges (Figure 1 and Figure 2) along the Main Boulder Road prompted Park County officials to secure partial funding from the State of Montana to rebuild the bridges and restore access. Additionally, Park County has applied for supplemental grant funding, also from the State of Montana, with the outcome of this request still pending. The bridges remain closed.
Alongside state-level efforts, Park County has submitted a partial funding request to Congressmen Sheehy and Daines, seeking further support for the reconstruction and reopening of the road.

Issues
The road's current condition limits access for emergency services and fire crews. The closure blocks motorized entry to private land and motor vehicle access to maintain a communications site serving Sweet Grass and Park County. Park County has reduced its services and programs following Federal funding cuts last year. Summer visitation and its associated business income is down due to the closure.
County road departments, funded by property taxes in sparsely populated areas with extensive Federal lands, maintain large networks to reach remote locations. Federal funding is seldom pursued. Bridges built on the Boulder Road with federal funds between 1940-1955 provided safe access for over 75 years before being destroyed in 2022. Every year the road is closed—four and counting—the deterioration accelerates.

Solution
Provide supplemental funding to rebuild the off-system broken bridges, enabling construction to start next year and reopening the road by 2028. View this bridge funding as a priority for both Park County and Sweet Grass County. Reopening the road restores access to the Sweet Grass Co. segment, the communications tower, and private land. This supplemental, one-time funding will allow the corridor to be used safely for another 50-75 years, maintaining its current character.

04/14/2026

Call to Action - Main Boulder Road Bridges Upstream of Box Canyon.

Park County commissioners unanimously agreed today in their regular public meeting to sign the letter (draft in the picture) to the U.S. Forest Service requesting authorization to make the detour and low water crossing around the closed bridge 2.2 miles south of Box Canyon. Constructing the low water crossing enables Park County to reopen the road.

Here's the call to action. Please consider calling the offices of Senator Sheehy and Representative Downing to advocate for partial funding to replace the broken bridges. Last month, Park County sent applications for discretionary funding to replace both broken bridges to Senator Sheehy and Representative Downing. Park County has already secured State funding for about half of the expected replacement price tag. Raise your voice and help us find the solution to put these bridges back in service. Ask your elected officials for funding assistance to fix our area bridges.

Billings' office of Rep. Downing
(406) 413-6720

Bozeman office of Senator Sheehy
406-872-6350

04/14/2026

Talking points for tomorrow's meeting of the Park County Commission.

Thank you, commissioners, for your public service.

My association supports your letter to the Forest Service requesting authorization for the detour and low water crossing around the closed bridge two miles upstream of Box Canyon. This solution will allow the commission to reopen the road, which is essential because:

• With wildfire risk high this summer, reopening the road will improve emergency access to the upper Boulder River Valley.
• The closure has blocked wheeled vehicle access to private property, preventing roof repairs on my association’s leased backcountry shelter.
• Hunters, fishers, ATV/UTV users, and 4-wheelers have lost access to this destination for three seasons, reducing tourism income for Park and Sweet Grass Counties.

We appreciate your efforts to restore vehicular access upstream of Box Canyon.

04/14/2026

Talking points for the April 14 Park County Commission meeting supporting the Commissioners approval of a letter to the U.S. Forest Service seeking authorization to build a detour and low water crossing around the closed bridge two miles upstream of Box Canyon.

Thank you, commissioners, for your public service.

My association supports your letter to the Forest Service requesting authorization for the detour and low water crossing around the closed bridge two miles upstream of Box Canyon. This solution will allow the commission to reopen the road, which is essential because:

• With wildfire risk high this summer, reopening the road will improve emergency access to the upper Boulder River Valley.
• The closure has blocked wheeled vehicle access to private property, preventing roof repairs on my association’s leased backcountry shelter.
• Hunters, fishers, ATV/UTV users, and 4-wheelers have lost access to this destination for three seasons, reducing tourism income for Park and Sweet Grass Counties.

We appreciate your efforts to restore vehicular access to the backcountry upstream of Box Canyon.