Results from a new survey of residents and business owners in Cooke City and Silver Gate show the majority of the communities would support a plan to plow the “plug.”

About 58% of the 294 residents surveyed said they would like to see the plug plowed, while only 36% said they would like the plug to remain as a groomed snowmobile trail for winter sports. The survey, which was completed last summer, had three options; 44% of respondents are in favor of plowing the plug while also enhancing or protecting the snowmobile experience and providing more parking to handle the extra traffic, 14% were in favor of plowing the plug without concern for parking and trails for snowmobiles and 36% were in favor of the status quo of leaving the plug unplowed.

The stretch of road referred to as the plug is a roughly 9-mile stretch of the Beartooth Highway (U.S. Highway 212), which runs between the highway’s intersection with the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway (Wyo. Highway 296) and Cooke City. Currently, that portion of the roadway becomes a groomed snowmobile trail in the winter, drawing sledders from across the country.

The survey was done by RCC Associates, led by Chief Operating Officer Jake Jorgenson, who has over a decade of experience in visitor research specifically revolving around parks and public land, outdoor recreation, and tourism. Jorgenson has a a Ph.D. in forestry and conservation sciences from the University of Montana.

“A lot of people have been talking about this for years. And it’s a topic that finally has kind of come to a head and needed to really get some reliable information for people to make decisions,” Jorgenson said. “We need this problem solved and have people come together and really come up with solutions.”

Jorgenson, who joined the meeting remotely through Zoom, said he knows this won’t be an easy process no matter what the option is moving forward, and there’s going to have to be involvement from several agencies to make any future changes work. He contends the data provides direction “for people to get on the same page and work together to come up with a solution instead of just talking about it and arguing back and forth.”

RCC Associates was hired by the Park County Travel Council, one of four surveys initiated by the organization.

“We wanted to produce a study that was factual and showcased real options for decision-makers on this topic to rely on,” said Travel Council Executive Director Ryan Hauck.

Jorgenson claimed that, in general, the survey shows the option of opening and maintaining the plug with additional work added to maintain the snowmobile experience is the top option for most people.

“It’s still a pretty split opinion,” Jorgenson said. “There’s a lot of people that would prefer it, somebody the way it is, but it at least gave some definitive ideas of solutions moving forward.”

A committee comprised of local residents on both sides of the topic were presented the results of the survey late last year. Jorgenson said while the committee members made it clear which side of the topic they were on, there was general acceptance of the results.

“I think it’s because of the sample size we got. You know, getting over 200 results from just people living in Cooke City alone, it’s a big chunk of the actual population that lives there. And I think in general, it’s been perceived as a fair process,” he said.

The goal in doing the survey was to do so without bias because any perceived biases would result in one or both sides claiming the results weren’t accurate, Jorgenson said.

“This is the most complete and most neutral factual data that has ever come out,” Hauck said. “So there’s not much to dispute at this point with it the way it was run.”

The survey not only covered winter access issues, it also looked into other topics of quality of life and recreation in the area, including in Crandall. Results show the communities are especially concerned about access to emergency medical access, schools and availability of the workforce necessary to make the community’s businesses successful.

RRC Associates were asked to complete two surveys, including the completed local resident survey and a regional resident survey. 

A summer and winter visitor survey is also being conducted by the University of Montana’s Institute for Tourism & Recreation Research (ITRR). The results have yet to be released.

“It was key to not have this as a Wyoming-only study. Having two partners with Yellowstone Country and ITRR is a crucial partnership to add validity to this study,” Hauck said.

The ITRR conducts travel and recreation research in Montana, with a primary focus on the nonresident travel survey conducted throughout the state.

After the presentation Mike Darby, chair of the travel council, said he thought the results were predictable.

“Not very surprising,” Darby said. “It sort of solidifies what we already knew.”

The full results of the surveys have yet to be released. Hauck said he wants all four of the projects to be complete before officially rolling out complete results.

Shortly after the presentation the board elected new officers. Cody real estate broker and previous vice chairperson John Parsons was elected as the new chairperson. Powell mayor John Wetzel, who formerly served as treasurer, was elected vice chairperson and will be replaced by Emily Swett, who attended by Zoom while in Lithuania. Christine Merz Gleason was elected as secretary.