Produce Exhibits, Mount Washburn Trail and Fire Lookout
The hiking trails that lead to the summit of Mount Washburn are the most heavily used backcountry trails in Yellowstone. More than 10,000 visitors each year hike the trails through the alpine habitat for which the area is famous. Until recently, there was little interpretation available to users of the trail system. At the summit of Mount Washburn, old exhibits in the indoor observation room had to be removed because they were seriously degraded, leaving only very basic safety information at the trailheads. The Foundation raised funds to replace the worn and outdated exhibits at the summit's fire lookout observation deck with new porcelain enamel ones that interpret Yellowstone's fire ecology and explain the evidence of wildfire visible on nearby slopes. The summit exhibits also interpret the role, function, and life of a fire lookout using the Mount Washburn operation as a model. In addition, new trailhead exhibits provide hiker information, orientation, and resource protection information that focuses on the consequences of feeding wildlife such as bighorn sheep, marmots, and birds. These exhibits will not only educate visitors about the natural resources in the area, they will cultivate a greater awareness of Yellowstone's regulations, which are designed to protect both resources and people.Total funds raised for the project: $26,000