Volunteers needed for trail projects in North Idaho

By Reader Staff

The Idaho Trails Association recently released its 2023 project schedule, with more than 80 work sites planned across the state this spring, summer and fall. Now, the organization is seeking volunteers to help undertake that work.

Projects range in length from one day to one week, and in difficulty from “easy” for beginner hikers to “strenuous” for seasoned volunteers. Hikers who are interested in joining are encouraged to visit ITA’s website to sign up for a project. No trail maintenance experience is necessary to join.

“We are thrilled to have over 80 projects planned this season; there is something for everyone, from day trips to weeklong projects deep in several of Idaho’s iconic Wilderness areas,” stated ITA Executive Director Melanie Vining in a news release. “I’m excited to see what ITA can accomplish on trails across Idaho this year, with more projects planned than ever before, and focused work on the Idaho Centennial Trail.”

ITA has a number of projects scheduled throughout North Idaho. Below are the projects scheduled for Bonner and Boundary counties:

Lakeshore: May 13-14

ITA volunteers will cut out logs and brush on this trail along the upper western shore of Priest Lake on Lakeshore Trail No. 294. There will be car camping available for those who would like to spend the night and enjoy the camaraderie. Hiking difficulty is “easy,” while project work difficulty is rated “moderate.”

Mickinnick: June 3

Coinciding with National Trails Day, volunteers will cut out logs, do tread work, improve drainage and trim back brush on the popular 3.5-mile hiking trail in west Sandpoint. Difficulty rating is “moderately strenuous.”

Boulder Meadows (women only): June 17-18

This Women in the Wild project takes place in the Boulder Meadows area about 45 minutes drive time east of Naples, including tread work and brushing, as well as sawing logs off the trail. Car camping is scheduled for Saturday night and work will be until mid-afternoon on Sunday. Difficulty rating is “moderately strenuous.”

Navigation Trail — Backpacking 101: June 24-25

This backpacking clinic at Navigation Trail No. 291 on Priest Lake will provide a chance for new and experienced backpackers to get together and share ideas on how to better enjoy the sport, as well as perform trail work. Hiking difficulty is “easy” and project work difficulty is rated “moderate.”

Beehive Lakes: July 8

Located at upper Beehive Lake, this project includes cutting trees, removing brush and repairing tread on the four-mile Beehive Lakes Trail No. 279 about an hour north of Sandpoint. Crews will work from the morning until mid-afternoon. Difficulty rating is “moderately strenuous.”

Beetop Roundtop: July 15-17

Volunteers will dig and saw, carrying tools and day packs, to perform three days of tread work, brushing and sawing out logs along this five-mile section of the Idaho Centennial Trail about an hour and 15-minute drive north of Clark Fork. There will be car camping available for those who would like to spend the nights in the area. Difficulty rating is “moderate.”

Grouse Mountain: July 24-28

This project includes tread work and brushing on Trail No. 53, which goes up and past Grouse Mountain about 30 minutes southeast of Naples. Work will take place Monday-Thursday. Volunteers will only have to carry some personal gear to the high camp, as food and a cook will be provided. A packer will take the crew back to the trailhead on Friday to head home. Cost is $50 to cover food and other expenses for the five-day project. Difficulty is “moderately strenuous.”

Blacktail Lake: Aug. 7

In partnership with the Sandpoint Monday Hikers group, volunteers will do brushing and tread work on Blacktail Lake Trail No. 24 (an approximate 1.5-hour drive east of Sandpoint) for several hours before turning the hikers loose to explore the lake and its surroundings. Hiking difficulty is rated “easy” and project work is rated “moderate.”

Pend Oreille Divide: Aug. 12-14

Cutting trees and brush off of Pend Oreille Divide Trail No. 67, volunteers will drive to Lunch Peak Lookout about an hour northeast of Sandpoint for a three-day project, during which car camping is available for those who’d like to spend the nights there. Hiking difficulty is “moderate” while the work difficulty is rated “moderately strenuous.”

Hughes Fork: Aug. 18-22

Volunteers will clear Trail No. 312 from Hughes Meadows Road to the Hughes Fork Trail to the top of the ridge. Work will include a substantial amount of crosscut work up the valley into the Salmo-Priest Wilderness, about 45 minutes north of Nordman. The five-day project is fully supported with a cook and local horse packers. Cost is $50. Hiking difficulty is “moderately strenuous,” while project work is rated “strenuous.”

Timber Mountain: Sept. 16

This fall day of general repair on Timber Mountain Trail No. 51 — located about 40 minutes east of Bonners Ferry — is rated “moderately strenuous.”

Chimney Rock: Sept. 23

Taking place on National Public Lands Day, volunteer workers will do brush work on the lower part of Chimney Rock Trail No. 256 on the Selkirk Mountains, as well as removing logs and rebuilding tread on the upper trail. The work site is located about an hour’s drive north of Sandpoint. The crew will work from the morning until mid-afternoon. Difficulty rating is “moderately strenuous.”

Spaces are limited for all projects. To sign up, and see the rest of ITA’s statewide schedule, visit idahotrailsassociation.org/projects.