Working 9-5! Our staff trip into the historic Stonebraker ranch in the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness was a blast (and a lot of work). Thank you to @idahofishandgame for partnering with us to help clear trails!

In late April, a team of five trail crew members and a cook embarked on a jet boat journey from Vinegar Creek to Sheep Creek on the Main Salmon River. Over the course of the week, the team worked diligently to clear the first four miles of the Sheep Creek Trail, in preparation for a second team of backpackers who would continue the work further up the trail the following week. The tasks at hand included cutting logs, brushing, moving rocks, and completing necessary tread work.

Amidst our hard work, we were captivated by the beauty of nature surrounding us. The spring flowers were in full bloom, butterflies danced along the shore, and we were delighted to see geese swimming with their goslings. To top it off, we were even greeted by bighorn sheep at our campsite. The sheep arrived wet, giving the impression that they had swum across the river. It was a truly remarkable sight, as we learned that bighorn sheep are capable of swimming. We were in awe!

The true highlight of our trail work experience was the camaraderie amongst the team. As is often the case with volunteers, our crew was incredibly friendly, supportive, and easygoing. We bonded over pre-warmed coffee mugs and delicious Dutch oven desserts prepared by Ken, and enjoyed watching Steve’s morning stretches (yes, just watching). We also shared many laughs over Aaron and Glenn's conspiracy theory conversations, listened to Jenny's wild stories, and marveled at Joan’s impressive abilities - at 72 years old, she can still get the job done!

Thanks everyone for an amazing week!

Glenn & Michelle Florence, Crew Leaders

Photos by Glenn and Michelle

Good news for coffee lovers and trail enthusiasts! Our friends at Lonely Larch Supply Co. have launched their new Trailhead Medium Roast Coffee, and a portion of every purchase supports Idaho Trails Association and the work we do to keep Idaho’s trails open and accessible.

Our staff put the new blend to the test during a recent trip into the Frank Church Wilderness, and it earned rave reviews all around.

Pick up a bag and support Idaho’s trails at the same time. See link in profile or visit: https://lonelylarch.com/products/trailhead-blend

Want to sample it first? Join us at our Coffee Pop-Up this Saturday on the Table Rock Trail in the Boise Foothills, where we'll be serving free coffee and celebrating National Trails Day. We hope to see you on the trail!

@thelonelylarch

TONIGHT! Join us for Keg 4 Kause at Payette Brewing in Boise!

Sip on your favorite brews while giving back—50% from every pint sold goes directly to support Idaho Trails Association and our work maintaining and protecting Idaho’s trails. It’s an easy (and delicious) way to make a difference. Food is available for purchase.

Bring your friends, raise a glass, and help keep Idaho’s trails open and thriving. Cheers to good beer and great trails!

When: June 1, 6-10pm
Where: Payette Brewing, 733 S Pioneer St, Boise, ID 83702

ITA staff recently spent five days working on trails deep in the Frank Church Wilderness's Chamberlain Basin. Through support from Idaho Fish and Game, the group was able to base out of IFG's historic Stonebraker Ranch, clearing public trails on IFG property that provide access from the adjacent Forest Service-managed Chamberlain airstrip and to fishing on West Fork Chamberlain Creek downstream from the ranch. They also cleared almost two miles of the Idaho Centennial Trail, which runs through the area. A wet, warm, and windy winter meant more trees than normal across trails in this area, and in total the group was able to clear 119 logs, 1.1 miles of brushing, and clean 41 water bars on IFG and Forest Service-managed trails. In addition, staff spent breaks and evenings talking about ways to grow and improve as an organization. Covering the state of Idaho means staff are spread thin, and this trip was a way to reconnect with each other and our work on the ground.

A big thanks to Idaho Fish and Game and to Stonebraker caretakers Beth and Dave, who opened the ranch to us and provided incredible meals to fuel our work!

@idahofishandgame

National Trails Day is almost here, and there’s no better way to celebrate than by giving back to the trails you love! Join Idaho Trails Association volunteer crews across Idaho on June 6 for trail projects that help keep our public lands accessible, beautiful, and ready for adventure all season long.

We've got some volunteer spots left for the following projects:

Langer Lake Trail Trail - Salmon-Challis National Forest out of Stanley
City Creek - City of Pocatello
Canfield Mountain - Idaho Panhandle National Forest near Coeur d'Alene
Blue Creek Bay- Idaho Panhandle National Forest near Coeur d'Alene
Mickinnick Trail - Idaho Panhandle National Forest near Sandpoint
Perjue Canyon - Owyhees out of Boise
Shingle Flat- Payette National Forest near Council

No experience is necessary — just bring your enthusiasm, sturdy boots, and love for the outdoors!

Find a project near you and celebrate National Trails Day with us on the trail. We can’t wait to see you out there!

See link in profile or visit: www.idahotrailsassociation.org/projects

ITA is grateful to Senators Risch and Crapo for co-sponsoring the America the Beautiful Act to reauthorize the Legacy Restoration Fund—an essential investment in maintaining trails and outdoor recreation infrastructure across our public lands.

From the trails we all love, to campgrounds and bridges, this funding helps tackle critical deferred maintenance. ITA was proud to advocate for this effort alongside American Hiking Society during their spring Hike the Hill event and through conversations with congressional staff.

Thank you to Idaho’s delegation for supporting the future of our public lands! 🌲🙌

One volunteer needed! We just had a volunteer drop out of a fly-in, weeklong project starting June 6 in the Selway Bitterroot Wilderness. If you are looking for an adventure-filled volunteer experience this summer, we got ya!

Deep in the beautiful Selway Bitterroot Wilderness, we'll work up the Ditch Creek Trail to the Moose Ridge Trail, one of the most remote sections of the Idaho Centennial Trail. We'll fly from McCall into Shearer, a backcountry airstrip along the Selway River.

See link in our profile to learn more.

In early May, four experienced ITA volunteers responded to a last-minute need to clear a crucial section of the Selway River Trail in the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness. This section of trail needed to be open by June 2 to allow 51 Ranch Outfitters to bring their stock in for the summer- stock scheduled to support two back-to-back weeklong ITA projects starting June 7th.

Our team of four worked for five days to clear 96 trees on this remote section of trail. Now our planned work on the Ditch Creek and Moose Ridge/ICT Projects can go on as scheduled!

ITA's Strike Team program has grown over the past years, allowing us to respond to last-minute requests for work in addition to our regularly-planned projects. We are grateful for our crew leaders and experienced volunteers willing to jump in and use their skills!

Photos by Dave Beck: https://davefaitlemonde.com

ITA launched a crew of 6 into the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness Saturday, May 3rd via Sawtooth Flying Service out of McCall, Idaho. Landing at the Cabin Creek airstrip, the crew gathered their gear and tools and set out for the week to Big Creek, heading east toward the confluence of the Middle Fork of the Salmon River. After a fire along this 14-mile stretch of Big Creek in July of 2025, the crew wasn’t sure what they would find. The trail was in fair to good condition. All trees were removed from the trail (3), several miles of brush work was accomplished, loose rocks removed, along with multiple repairs to the tread due to erosion and rock falls. Several rock walls were built in many areas to repair and prevent further trail erosion.

Altogether, the crew hiked over 40 miles, camping downstream at Lobauer Basin, working the trail in both directions for two days, then moving camp. Seven miles past Taylor Ranch, the crew worked three days east to the end of the Big Creek Trail at the Middle Fork of the Salmon River and then doubled back from camp two miles west of Taylor Ranch. All together, the crew was able to accomplish their goal of ensuring the trail was completely clear and passable east of Cabin Creek.
Thanks to this awesome crew of volunteers – you guys were the best!- Cindy Walker, Crew Leader

Photos by Dan Hessick, Terrence Morton, and Cindy Walker