DEVELOPMENT OF THE NATIONAL PARKS. 15 



trail between the Glacier Hotel and Avalanche Creek. The latter 

 trail will be extended to Granite Park next spring and when com- 

 pleted will be one of the most scenic trails in the park system. 

 Shelter cabins of attractive design are also under construction at 

 Triple Divide, Red Eagle Lake, Piegan Pass, and Iceberg Lake, and 

 next season will welcome the hiker and other trail travelers when 

 storms overtake them or when they find it desirable to break their 

 trips for other purposes. 



An elaborate trail sign system is also being installed for the benefit 

 of the hiker and independent tourist who chooses to ride over the 

 trails without guide service. A trail map of the park is in contem- 

 plation as a further aid to the lover of the trails. 



PLENTY OF TRAIL HORSES HEREAFTER. 



During the season of 1916 there was a shortage of horses for trail 

 service and many complaints have been filed against the saddle-horse 

 concessioner on this account. I have already stipulated a basis for 

 the reorganization of this corporation which I am convinced will 

 enable it to give saddle-horse service next season which will be 

 entirely satisfactorj^. A new contract covering a 10-year concession 

 will provide that 25 per cent of the net profits of the enterprise will 

 constitute for the first three years of the term the consideration due 

 the Government for the franchise granted, and that 50 per cent of 

 the profits shall be the Government's share thereafter. 



This contract in a sense will make the department a partner in 

 the saddle-horse enterprise, and I have already indicated the depart- 

 ment's interest in its success from the business point of view as well 

 as the point of view of public service to the park, by arranging with 

 the Indian Office for the lease of Indian lands in the Blackf eet Reser- 

 vation for horse pasturage, and for the purchase of hay and even 

 horses from the Indians. Should these arrangements be consum- 

 mated the tourist, the park-revenue fund, the Blackfeet Indians, and 

 the saddle-horse concessioner will all derive a full measure of benefit 

 from the successful operation of the enterprise. 



YOSEMITE'S GREAT DEVELOPMENT. 



A survey of the 1916 season in Yosemite National Park quickly 

 and clearly defines three heads under which its development may be 

 discussed. These are, first, new contracts covering large public- 

 service concessions; second, increased Federal appropriations for 

 improvement and protection of the park; third, removal of restric- 

 tions on motor travel. 



For many years the department unsuccessfully endeavored to 

 induce parties with capital to undertake the construction of new 



