Submitted Photo A backcountry animal packing demonstration is conducted at Ninemile Ranger District, Lolo National Forest. USDA Forest Service photo by Mariah Leuschen-Lonergan.

BISMARCK – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service Northern Region Pack Train has announced it will be working on the Little Missouri National Grassland from June 13-18.

The Northern Region Pack Train uses a team of mules with handlers on horseback to transport materials in remote areas that are not accessible by vehicle. Throughout their six days on the grassland, Forest Service personnel will be using their mule team to pack lumber and other materials needed to build a bridge over Bear Creek. Additionally, they will be packing trail markers for the Cottonwood-Bennet Trail, which will be installed at a later date. These projects will help create more reliable access to, and enhance public safety on, the Maah Daah Hey Trail system.

“Having the Northern Region Pack Train come to the Little Missouri National Grassland is exciting and rare. It has probably been 20 years since they were last here,” said Jeff Davis, Recreation Trails manager for the Dakota Prairie Grasslands, in a news release. “Earlier this year, we submitted our proposal for this project, and it was selected.”

Besides packing material into the Badlands, the Northern Region Pack Team and Medora Ranger District will be holding a community event from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. MST on Saturday, June 14, at Rough Rider State Park, near Medora.

The event will include a traditional mule packing demonstration and discussion of the history of the Forest Service Pack Team from 10-11:30 a.m. Smokey Bear will be present from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., and from 12:30-2 p.m. there will be an open question and answer session with pack string handlers and staff. Anyone with an interest in pack stock or those who would enjoy the opportunity to see this historic icon of the USDA Forest Service is encouraged to attend.

The Northern Region Pack Train is made up of eight mules and two riding horses that routinely perform backcountry work projects throughout Montana, northern Idaho, North Dakota and northwest South Dakota. The team is based in the Historic Ninemile Ranger District in Huson, Montana, on the Lolo National Forest. Its mission is to represent the Forest Service to the public through educational and community service and to complete backcountry packing and work projects across the region.