ITA is seeking a full-time Trail Program Specialist for the northern Idaho trails program. The chosen candidate will help lead ITA’s trails program into its second decade of keeping Idaho’s hiking trails open for all. This candidate will play a key role in growing the organization, engaging more volunteers to maintain more trails in more places throughout northern Idaho (defined as all of the state north of Grangeville, Idaho). ... Read More

Sydney has been an incredible part of ITA's Youth Trail Crew since 2021! As she embarks on her university journey next month, we want to send out a huge thank you from all of us at ITA. Your hard work has made Idaho's trails better, and your dedication has inspired others to follow in your footsteps. Best of luck, Sydney! What are some of the things you enjoy doing ... Read More

Our Trail Spotlight highlights day trips to multi-day hikes across Idaho. Trail conditions can change quickly- swollen rivers can become impassable, windstorms can knock trees down across trails, and snow can come earlier than expected. Please take these recommendations as a jumping off place and do additional research to understand current conditions and  keep yourself safe if you choose to hike this trail. Physical guidebooks and maps are always good to ... Read More

Going hiking or camping soon? Stage 1 fire restrictions are now in effect in most of Idaho. We all can do our part to be sure we and our loved ones enjoy our trails while taking precautions to keep ourselves safe and our forests green! Stage 1 includes no campfires unless in a designated recreation site (think campground with fees) within a metal fire ring and no smoking, except ... Read More

Our Trail Spotlight highlights day trips to multi-day hikes across Idaho. Trail conditions can change quickly- swollen rivers can become impassable, windstorms can knock trees down across trails, and snow can come earlier than expected. Please take these recommendations as a jumping off place and do additional research to understand current conditions and  keep yourself safe if you choose to hike this trail. Physical guidebooks and maps are always good to ... Read More

By Melanie Vining, ITA Executive Director I wouldn’t put myself in the “wing it” category, but if there is spectrum I’d not be at the “well-prepared” end either. Maybe somewhere in the middle. I’ve taken off on ten-mile day hikes with running shoes and a peanut butter sandwich, but I’ve also done weeklong backpacking trips and checked all the boxes: proper food, first aid kit, clothing for bad weather, ... Read More

The first season of our Trail Scouting Program is underway! One of our volunteers scouted about 30 miles of the Middle Fork Trail from the Boundary Creek Boat Launch down to the Pistol Creek Airstrip already, but with the snow melting out in the high country, there are more opportunities to scout trails in the higher elevations. There are approximately 370 miles of trails in the southwest corner of ... Read More

Submitted by ITA volunteer cook, Hugh Cooke. What is a Camp Dutch Oven? Kitchen dutch oven has rounded dome lid to capture liquids and flat bottom to rest on range. Camping coals will not stay on this lid with ease. Camp Dutch Oven has three legs to hold pot above a bed of heat/charcoals and a flat lid with a rim to hold charcoals on top. Dutch Oven are ... Read More

Great for camping out or at home, this recipe is a crowd-pleaser! Submitted by ITA volunteer cook, Hugh Cooke. Check out our Dutch Oven Cooking Tips for Beginners if you are new to Dutch oven cooking. Cheese, Green Chile & Chicken Enchilada Dutch Oven recipe 12” Dutch oven (serves 8+ guests) Ingredients: 1 pound shredded roasted chicken, spice with cumin 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese 1 cup ... Read More

By Melanie Vining, ITA Executive Director My summer recently took a hard right turn. On Wednesday, May 15th, I had a calendar full of ITA trips, hiking trips, trail runs, and outside projects at my house. On Thursday, May 16th, I was lying prone on a stretcher, bound for Boise on Life Flight with a broken pelvis after a fluky horse wreck just a quarter mile from my house ... Read More