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Group photo L-R: Josh Hoskinson, Burton Stanley, Walter Gallon, Brad Lynch, Jake Anderson, Gary Cvecich, Mike McDaniel, Larry Jokinen
Crew members not pictured: Rich Loseke, Kaleb Arndt, Cody Morgan

Hailey/Stanley crew recognized by Forest Service for winter efforts

Forest Service officials presented a Certificate of Appreciation May 2 to the ITD Hailey and Stanley operations crews for outstanding service in the face of unprecedented snowfall.

The efforts to keep the two routes that enter the Stanley Basin open were nothing short of incredible.

A couple of U.S. Forest Service staffers commented they didn’t know the state would keep the road to Stanley open throughout the winter. Granted, they were new to the mountain region and the level of snow fall was surprising to them.

The amount of snow that fell in the central mountains was surprising to many long-time locals as well … and with more than 14 feet, it set a new record in Stanley, according to the National Weather Service.

“They just wanted to say thanks for keeping the roads plowed and for all the extra stuff we do to help support some of the special events and recreational activities,” area Foreman Brad Lynch said.

The staff from the Sawtooth National Recreation Area, which is part of the Sawtooth National Forest that encompasses Idaho 75 north of Ketchum to near Clayton and Idaho 21 in Custer County, presented the certificate at a special meeting at the Stanley Ranger Station.

“There are a lot of their people who live down here (in Wood River valley) and drive over Galena every day, or live down river toward Challis and drive to Stanley every day,” Lynch said. “These guys did great all winter. We’re all proud of their work.”

Those record snows resulted in dozens of avalanches and roadway closures throughout January and February.