Mineral Independent

As the leaves change color and the geese fly south, U.S. Forest Service mules and pack horses arrive at the Ninemile Remount Depot and Historic Ranger Station for wintertime just like clockwork.

On a 5,000-acre ranch near the border of Mineral and Missoula counties, these hardworking stock animals find respite and care in the pastures of scenic Ninemile Valley.

After operating the last six months in individual herd groups at Forest Service districts spread across Northern Idaho, Montana, and western parts of North and South Dakota, these mules and horses are finally at their winter home where they’ve been coming for more than 90 years.

Katelyn Jerman is the acting Public Affairs Officer for Lolo National Forest and she provided insightful history about the Depot and Ranger Station.

She shared, “Severe fire seasons in the late 1920s and difficulties supplying firefighters in the backcountry underscored the need for a better system. In 1930, the Forest Service bought a 5,000-acre ranch and established a centralized Remount Depot modeled on the Army Remount Depots.”

“The Ninemile Remount Depot provided experienced packers and strings to pack tools and supplies to firefighters. The breeding program provided a reliable stream of saddle horses and mules,” explained Jerman.

From 1930 to 1952, the Ninemile Remount Depot responded to fires, delivered supplies to lookouts and accomplished various backcountry projects. To this day Ninemile remains a working ranch and a prestigious example of stock use and boarding.

Jerman said, “Ninemile is home to the Northern Region Pack Train, Forest Service Winter Boarding Program, the Ninemile pack string and the Ninemile Wildlands Training Center which focuses on teaching traditional skills such as packing.”

The general public doesn’t know just how critical these horses and mules are particularly while working in the backcountry.

Jerman detailed, “Stock provide transportation for trail crews, wilderness rangers on patrol, outfitter and guide permit administrators, law enforcement, range managers and firefighters.” She continued, “Strings pack in supplies and tools for trail crews, supplies for fire lookouts, lumber for backcountry facilities such as cabins and corrals, supplies for rangers and law enforcement officers, decking and gravel for trails projects, range supplies and the list goes on and on.”

Each Forest Service District has its own stock program and its own team of stock mules and horses. The animals return to the same district every year. Jerman noticed, “Even when they come to Ninemile for the winter and mix with the bigger herd, they tend to hang around together.”

Some of the Ninemile horses and mules work in the Great Burn which is in the Fish Creek area of Mineral County. Trail crews utilize these stock animals to pack in heavy tools and supplies while they work the trails camping in the backcountry of Mineral County.

“This year, we had a big trail project between Dalton and Goose Lake on the Stateline Trail. The Ninemile pack string packed in camp for the crew and treated water bars to install in the trail. Supplies, tools and water bars were packed 12 miles up from Clearwater Crossing to the camp and work site,” Jerman explained. These same mules and horses are also used for permit supervision, patrolling and planning trips.

After summer work winds down across Montana and other neighboring states, the stock return to Ninemile. Every winter more than 200 head of Forest Service horses and mules come to graze the sweeping pastures and are fed hay produced right from the ranch.

About two thirds are mules and one third are saddle horses. Upon arrival the stock receives one of their biannual worming treatments. Jerman described, “In the spring, animals also receive their annual vaccines and get their “haircuts” including mules’ manes and tops of their tails are clipped and horses’ bridle paths are clipped.”

The 5,000 acres that comprise the ranch include Mule Hill, the Tack Shop, the Ranger Station, a Lagoon, the Tank, the Airport, Menard, Donkey Alley and CCC Pastures.

The CCC Pasture is the largest pasture of approximately 1,000 acres and is grazed just a few weeks each year. Once the snow starts to stick the stock are moved into Donkey Alley or the Airport Pasture where they have plenty of room and access to feed.

Hundreds of tons of hay are set aside well in advance for feeding each winter season. Jerman said, “We feed an average of 25-35 pounds per animal per day. For 200 head of stock, this is about two-and-one-half to three tons of hay each and every day!”

The amount of hay varies each winter, some years when the snow comes early, the staff starts feeding sooner. With milder weather the stock can graze the pastures longer and go through less hay.

Permanent staff at the Ninemile Ranger Station are the caretakers for the stock once they arrive at Ninemile. The ranch manager and other staff check on the stock daily. The animals have plenty of food, mineral, water and space in the pastures.

“When it’s time to start feeding hay, staff feed every day of the week including holidays. The District Ranger traditionally feeds on Christmas Day!” said Jerman.

When these strong and reliable stock animals aren’t at Ninemile or working in the backcountry they get opportunities to socialize and educate the public.

Jerman said, “When the Northern Region Pack Train participates in parades and expos, it’s common for people to say that they didn’t know the Forest Service stills uses stock!” She also mentioned, “We want people to understand that stock are critical to management of our public lands, not just living history or tradition.

"For example, it would be impossible to keep our trails well maintained for the enjoyment of visitors without stock. Trail crews just cannot carry treated decking on their backs for 10 miles to replace a bridge. That’s a job for our much stronger work partners, horses and mules!”

The public are more than welcome to take the self-guided walking tour around the ranger station during the winter, and of course come visit these renowned mules and horses.

However, be prepared for snowy and icy conditions. Visitors should also call ahead to check and see what pasture the stock are in because some pastures are not visible from the road.

Jerman noted, “When visitors see stock out in the pastures, they may notice symbols on their left hips. These are “brands” made with hair clippers that indicate which forest the animal belongs to.”

Once the harsh Montana winter subsides and spring slowly arrives, district staff will come and pick up their stock by May 1, and the animals will head back to work.