Sand Creek W.M.A.

Hikes: D.
Total Distance, D: 3 miles.
Difficulty: Levels I, II.
Season: May 1-October 15.
USGS Map: Split Butte.
BLM 100K Map: Ashton.
Forest Service Map: Targhee N.F.
Dirt Road Miles: 16 gravel.
PLSS Location: Section 5, T10N R41E.

Introduction: At the foot of the Island Park Caldera, Fish and Game's Sand Creek Wildlife Management Area occupies the easternmost end of the Snake River Plain. The WMA is at the top of the Plain in both elevation and vegetation. The wetter climate at 6000 feet lets the area tolerate and recove from grazing better than lower, drier rangelands. Combined with Fish and Game grazing closures, the result is excellent quality vegetation. Just as good is the WMA's scenery, with views west to the Junipers. As a bonus, this portion is closed to motor vehicles!
  The Sand Creek Wildlife Management Area is part of the larger Sands Habitat Management Area, a joint project of private landowners, BLM, Fish and Game, State Lands, and the Forest Service. The Habitat Area was established to help elk, moose, and mule deer in Fremont County. The animals summer in Island Park and Yellowstone, and winter in the sand dunes area west of Saint Anthony. They need forage and solitude on their winter range, and minimal fencing and reasonable forage along their migration corridor.
  The BLM's 1985 Medicine Lodge Resource Management Plan met these needs by establishing an Area of Critical Environmental Concern: the highest form of multiple use (short-of-wilderness) protection. Since road construction was banned in the critical winter range, conservationists dropped their proposals for a sand dunes wilderness. But the next year, the BLM reopened the plan and approved construction of the Egin-Hamer Road through the middle of the ACEC.

The Hike: Start by walking up the faint road that leads to the canyon narrows. In this open area, observe the gentle cliffs to the right. You may descend them on your way back. Once the road ends, an excellent trail begins. It is narrow, and follows the very "bed" of the drainage, which only flows in winter and early spring. The volcanic rock and the excellent condition vegetation seem to soak up rainfall and prevent runoff.
  About a mile from the road, the canyon opens up, and a grove of aspens is visible up the hill to the right. The author headed for their shade, and soon found himself on a game trail. It's a real pleasure to visit an aspen grove which hasn't had the the grass below it destroyed by cattle seeking its shade!
  The trail continues through the aspens and past dense brush fields, to the top of the ridge (D). The brush here is Ceanothus, a species with little value to wildlife. It sprofuse growth may be an indicator of past overgrazing, of recent fire suppression, or just of the site's capabilities. Fish and Game has considered manipulating the vegetation here to help wildlife.
  The author turned right here and worked his way downhill, staying near the north (right) rim of the cliff. This seemed less brushy and more grassy. At last, he saw the road below, and picked a descent route off the right side, reaching the faint road about 2/3 of the way to its end.
  You could easily extend this hike further up the drainage and/or the ridge. The terrain levels out at 6300 feet, in an area which receives some vehicle use.

Access: Drive to the third (eastmost) St. Anthony exit on US-20, an intersection on the north end of town. Turn left, and after a half mile you'll cross the Henry's Fork bridge. Take the first right after the bridge (W1), a paved road that winds its way for 1 1/4 miles to a divide (W2). Turn left on Sand Creek Road, the kind of nice, straight, gravel road you love to blast across the desert on--but don't!
  Take your time and watch for deer, elk, and moose; if you are out on an early spring morning, watch for strutting sage or sharp-tailed grouse. After about 15 miles on Sand Creek Road, you enter the Sand Creek Wildlife Management Area. Primitive campsites are available. After another mile, you'll come to a three way intersection. Take the leftmost road, and after 3/4 mile you'll see a faint road going up a wide canyon to the right. That's the start of the trail.