The following is a press release from the U.S. Department of Agriculture:
GARDINER, Mont. – The Custer Gallatin National Forest is planning to start replacing the Darroch Creek Bridge on Bear Creek Road #493. As a result, the road will be closed from mid-July for approximately a month. The bridge was severely damaged during the June 2022 flooding, and its replacement is intended to restore vehicle access to the Bear Creek Campground and Bear Creek Trailhead.
During the construction period, Bear Creek Road #493 will be closed from the intersection of Ash Mountain Road #6976 to the Bear Creek Trailhead, including access to the Bear Creek Campground. Hikers looking to explore Bear Creek Trail #64 towards Knox Lake are advised to park at the North Fork of Bear Creek Trailhead in Jardine and utilize trail #364 to connect to trail #64.
District Ranger Mike Thom of the Gardiner District expressed, “While we recognize that these closures may pose challenges, we urge forest visitors to cooperate with us in the interest of public safety. We are excited to kick off this crucial post-flood recovery effort.”
The Darroch Creek Bridge replacement project will see the installation of a more resilient and modern precast concrete bridge that aligns with current design standards. This initiative will ultimately reinstate vehicle access to the Bear Creek Campground, which has remained inaccessible to vehicles since the flood-related damage in 2022.
For the latest updates on the project, we encourage the public to monitor the Custer Gallatin National Forest Facebook page and direct any inquiries to the Gardiner Ranger District at 406-848-7375.
