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!

Photos by: Scott Acker