Two popular motorized trails in the Middle Fork of the Payette River drainage about 45 miles north of Boise opened Monday, Oct. 1, after being closed for more than two years.

The 22-mile Bull Creek and Silver Creek trails on the Emmett Ranger District reopened following extensive work by crews from Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation, Boise National Forest, Trails Unlimited, and motorized clubs.

The trails are open for motorcycles and non-motorized recreation. ATVs or UTVs are prohibited. That provides “sustainable and manageable opportunities while reducing impacts to natural resources and watershed values,” national forest officials said.

Reconstruction included:

• Installing 42 arched culverts throughout the 22-mile trail system, which gets water off the trail and prevents trail erosion.

• Rerouting 10 sections of trail.

• Building a 35-foot bridge.

• Building a 40-foot retaining wall.

• Connecting the upper Bull Creek Trail with the Rice Peak Trail for a longer ride opportunity into the Cascade Ranger District.

• Completing extensive brush cutting and clearing of the trail.

The Treasure Valley Trail Machine Association volunteered to work on weekends over a two-year period. In addition, the Squaw Butte Backcountry Horseman volunteered with trail clearing.

The Emmett Rough Riders ATV Club volunteered trail clearing on the Telephone Ridge Trail, which was key to hauling equipment and better access to the upper Bull Creek Trail.

The trail system will be open from July 1 through Nov. 14.

For more information on the trail system, call the Emmett Ranger District at365-7000.

Reconstruction is finished on the two trails.