Looking for a beautiful summer weekend in the backcountry with a purpose? Join us August 15-17 for our Needles-Kennally Trail Project in the Payette National Forest!
We’ll car camp an hour outside of McCall at the peaceful Kennally Creek Campground, then head out each day to work up the stunning Needles Summit Trail—past White Rock, Stump Lake, and up to the ridge. Expect gorgeous views, good company, and some classic crosscut saw action as we help clear this rugged, less-traveled trail.
No experience needed to sign up! Just bring your sense of adventure and love for Idaho’s trails.

See link in profile to learn more.

Volunteers needed for weekend project in north Idaho!

Nestled in the heart of the Coeur d’Alene Mountains along the North Fork of the Coeur d’Alene River, the Stateline Trail stretches from Lost Creek Campground to the Montana border. Volunteers will be car camping at Lost Creek Dispersed Campground while clearing logs along this beautiful ridge trail up to Taylor Saddle. The trail was recently maintained by the Forest Service, ensuring regular upkeep. Help us maintain this stunning trail!

See link in profile to learn more.

Dreaming of a Frank Church Wilderness escape? Start with the map!

Explore the Frank Church–River of No Return Wilderness with our North & South trail map set—your ultimate guide to one of the most remote and rugged areas in the Lower 48. These waterproof, high-quality maps are packed with essential details like:

Trails & trailheads
Access roads & historic landmarks
Campgrounds & backcountry campsites
Iconic areas like Big Creek, Bighorn Crags, Chamberlain Basin & more!

These maps were thoughtfully created by ITA volunteer Brad Smith, who dedicated countless hours to updating outdated resources so YOU can explore The Frank with confidence.

Just $25 for the full set (regularly $15 each) – and shipping is included! See link in our profile to purchase.

Hooray for our youth crews!
On our Krassel Knob all-boys weekend youth project along the South Fork of the Salmon River, the team brushed the trail, fixed switchbacks, and installed and repaired water bars and trail drains. It was difficult work since so much of the tread was uneven and the switchbacks had to be smoothed out! The team did a superb job of staying focused on the required work even as the temperatures went up. Great job to our awesome volunteers!

Trail Work + River Vibes? Yes, Please!

Join us July 19-20 for a weekend of trail work and outdoor fun on the stunning North Fork of the Boise River! We're teaming up with Backcountry Hunters & Anglers to clear brush, logs, and landslides along this wild and scenic river trail.

Starting from Deer Park Guard Station, we’ll hike through granite cliffs and shady pines, working to reopen this summer gem known for epic swimming holes and fishing spots! Come make a difference, break a sweat, and cool off by the river. See link in profile to learn more.

As part of our efforts to help our Forest Service partners fill gaps left by recent job and budget cuts, ITA launched a "strike team" program this summer, where crew leaders and experienced volunteers respond to unplanned trail work needs. The Krassel District of the Payette National Forest voiced a need for help clearing the route from Big Creek to Chamberlain Basin, the main trail connection between their workstations at the two locations. ITA also needs this trail to resupply several crews this summer. Normally, a Forest Service crew clears this 25+ mile route early in the season but because of staffing cuts they were unable to tackle the entire trail without help, especially after the first 3-4 miles of the trail burned in a late season fire last year.

Enter ITA's first "strike team"! Retired ITA Executive Director Jeff Halligan (and former FS packer), retired trail crew supervisor Patti Stieger, and longtime ITA volunteer Scott Acker teamed up for three days of tough work, clearing 40 logs and multiple large rocks off the first three miles of the Big Creek trail, making it passable for hikers and stock. They tied in with work done by the Selway-Bitterroot Frank Church Foundation earlier in June in the Beaver Creek drainage, opening the first six miles of trail and allowing the small Forest Service crew a leg up for finishing the last 19+ miles to Chamberlain Basin.

This year, it's an all hands on deck approach to keeping trails open as our land manager partners navigate budget and staffing uncertainties. We are grateful for the dedication of our volunteers willing to make time for trail work on top of our already-busy planned schedule!

PC: Scott Acker

Eleven of us ITA volunteers that included a wonderful cook spent a week based out of the Magruder Ranger House while we cleared the Selway River trail from its trailhead near the house down to Upper Crossing. We brushed, cut logs, cleaned water bars and refreshed some tread areas— we ROCKED!

Beyond the wonderful camaraderie of this amazing set of people, our crew was visited by Peter Fromm, the author of Indian Creek Chronicles. He and his family had rented the cabin next to the ranger house for a few days. He regaled us with hilarious stories and answered lots of “fan” questions. We were also entertained by a cow dog named Sky who seemed to believe we were all cows as well as the mules and horses who munched on tall grass in the nearby meadow, making this place seem picture perfect! - Crew Leader Alisa Rettschlag

Photos: Patricia Scutier, Alisa Rettschlag, and Rodney Waller

We are deeply saddened by the tragedy that occurred on Canfield Mountain yesterday and our hearts go out to the families impacted. We all must come together in support of those who take care of our safety and our public land! Thank you to the brave responders who came out to protect us and Canfield Mountain! ♥️

From June 18-25, ITA teamed up with SBFC and Forest Service to clear ~10 miles of trail along the Middle Fork of the Salmon River. The team of 12 worked through heat, rain, and a bit of snow to remove trees, clear drains, redo/reroute tread, and brush various sections of trail. Impressive achievements of the week included the removal of two “Monderosas” very large Ponderosas, creating a “junk” wall of rocks, brushing lots of “see a no trail” Ceanothus (Buck Brush), and removing a “gigantic” rock from the trail.

Throughout the week we were greeted with some unexpected visitors including Ryan Ghelfi (SBFC Executive Director), Melanie Vining (ITA Executive Director), and her friend Val. A “surprise” visitor was Matt Bishop and his mule Eugene of Café Mule, who arrived with beer and coffee, yay!

Hats off to ITA volunteers: Amy, Charlotte, James, Justy, and Lee; SBFC partners: Abe, Noah, and Mary (a.k.a. The Holy Trio); FS Rangers: Harry and Eric; and FS Horse Packer: Tyler.

Thanks everyone for making this project a success.
-Crew Leaders Michelle & Glenn

Photos by: Michelle Florence, Glenn Florence, Justy Thomas, Abram Wilkinson, and Amy Lunstrum

Public Lands at Risk (Again)

A new proposal from Senator Mike Lee could force the sale of up to 1.2 million acres of public land near populations centers.

These close-to-home places are where we hike, bike, and connect with nature. Selling them would be a huge loss for access, recreation, and Idaho’s quality of life.

Examples of just a few places this provision could affect (thank you Conservation Voters for Idaho for these):

1. Boise and Eagle Foothills
2. Land surrounding Hailey and Ketchum
3. Scout Mountain outside of Pocatello
4. Hunting grounds and trails outside of Emmett

Take action NOW before the Senate votes!

Call or email Senators Risch and Crapo and urge them to oppose this harmful land sell-off.

Risch: (202) 224-2752
Crapo: (202) 224-6142

or use Conservation Voters for Idaho's contact form here: www.cvidaho.org/idaho-public-land/

Let’s keep public lands in public hands!