As 2014 has already seen a month come and gone, let's take the chance to recognize the work that was completed in 2013 as we look forward to the 2014 season. Projects in 2013 included maintenance completed on National Trails Day and National Public Lands Day. Work was completed in ... Read More
This was our second year helping maintain the Alice-Toxaway Loop in the Sawtooth Wilderness. We worked for a week with some guidace from the USFS and were able to cut out 24 downed logs and carry out work on 247 water bars, either cleaning them out or installing new ones. ... Read More
This year ITA teamed up with the US Forest Service in July to repair one of the highest-traffic trails in the state: the trail to the summit of Mt. Borah, Idaho's highest peak. With funding from REI, ITA was able to support four volunteers who in total committed 83 hours of work towards the first ... Read More
Waking up to cool mornings (low-20's)Â was well worth it to our volunteers. The morning sun painted the summits of the Boulder Mountains with icy hues of rose whilst Baker Creek greeted us with its babbling brooks. On June 22nd and 23rd, ITA and the Forest Service teamed up to ... Read More
 ITA celebrated National Trails Day with REI-Boise and the BLM by repairing Roberson Trail West. ITA Volunteers were greeted with unforgettable views of the Bruneau River during the project. Purportedly constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930's, the trail received much needed attention. The project was very ... Read More
ITA partnered with the Selway-Bitterroot Frank Church Foundation to knock out the Marble Creek Trail Project. Six volunteers worked through 100-degree heat until 6 or 7 at night. With the leadership of Leo Hennesey, they built and reconstructed crib walls, cut out 190 trees, cleaned 6 waterbars, and dismantled 3 fire rings. A total of 6 miles of trail were reconstructed and maintained.
“You are part of a legacy,” said Mark Bingman to the group of volunteers as we gathered for the Wewukiye (Wa-woo-kia) Trail Project. Mark is the North Zone Recreation Manager for the Boise National Forest, where there are few non-motorized trails. The Cascade Ranger District is leading the charge to construct a new 16-mile hiking and mountain biking trail that will connect Warm Lake, Stolle Meadows, Vulcan Hot Springs and other landmarks.
Four eager volunteers turned out to perform maintenance work on the Hum Lake Trail from August 17th through 19th on the Payette National Forest. The Hum Lake Trail is a very popular backpacking trail outside of McCall, which ascends over a small pass from Duck Lake.
Magdaline, one of the SCA interns learned several positive lessons while working in the wilderness. As she proclaimed, “The first lesson is that backpacking with tools is really hard. The second lesson is that the Backcountry Horsemen sure know how to cook. The last lesson is that if you are going to be doing stream crossings during work you should definitely have a spare pair of shoes."
July 7th-14th was one of the hottest weeks of the summer. Nonetheless, several volunteers gathered to help maintain the Pistol Creek Trail in the Frank Church - River of No Return Wilderness. Working in eight-hour days, they contributed a combined 208 hours of volunteer service. Volunteers maintained 11 miles of trail and cleared an astonishing 129 logs and trees from the trail!
As our group grew closer through the days of hard work, we gave our tools nicknames that could easily have been mistaken as crew member names. Our crosscut (AKA Mick Jagger) was named because we liked the way it moved. A saw from the 1930’s, it astounded us that it was in such good shape. But the other crosscut needed a name too. Because both saws were so similar, the second one was named Roxanne. However, they needed one more friend, so our loppers soon became Cindy Lopper. And that is how we gained three more crew members.
Tucked away in some of Idaho’s tallest Peaks, Boulder Lake is surrounded by a rim of jagged, sky-scraping peaks that will leave your eyes popping out. You’ll find extraordinary views of the Devil’s Bedstead and other unnamed peaks topping out near or above 12,000 feet.
Your contribution will help keep Idaho’s hiking trails safe, sustainable, and enjoyable.
Cut the red ribbon, ITA’s 2012 season has begun! On June 2nd , Idaho Trails Association rallied 17 volunteers and agency partners to work on the Tindall Trail in celebration of National Trails Day.
We love trails, yes we do! We love trails, how about you? June 2nd is National Trails Day, a time to celebrate trails and reflect on the efforts that go in to making and maintaining them.
The Idaho Trails Association sat down with hiking guidebook author Scott Marchant to discuss his experiences hiking in Idaho and his newest book, The Hiker’s Guide Greater Boise.
Climb through lush forests, of cedar, hemlock, alpine fir, and spruce to the beautiful Beehive Lakes. These mountain lakes are tucked into a high cirque basin in the Selkirk Crest. Hikers are rewarded with views of Roman Nose, The Beehive, Pack River, and Twin Peaks. Options for scrambles to the top of the Crest are also available, where even more spectacular views can be found.
Stunning views of Lake Pend Oreille, the Cabinet Mountains, and the Selkirk Mountains await you on top of Bonner County's tallest peak. Hikers will likely find company at the top, where mountain goats negotiate rock outcroppings and steep cliffs.
On March 8, 2012, the Idaho Trails Association joined Ridge to Rivers and REI to plant silver sage, bitterbrush, and mountain big sagebrush to prevent further trail widening on trails around the Military Reserve and Foothills Learning Center. With the help of 24 volunteers, we were able to plant 250 ... Read More