Volunteer Spotlight: Thom Klein
The Idaho Centennial Trail takes hikers 900 miles through some of Idaho’s most beautiful places. With the current rise in popularity of long distance hiking, it is high time that the ICT gets the recognition it deserves as one of America’s most rugged and remote hikes. But an increase in hikers means an increased need for stewardship, education, and awareness. The Idaho Trails Association has teamed up with local partners ... Read More
Volunteer Spotlight: Howard Shay
We here at ITA are proud to have grown beyond our Boise roots into the beautiful backcountry of North Idaho. From the Selkirks to the St. Joe, you’re sure to find some of the most pristine forests in the mountain West. Our volunteers have been hard at work improving trails for all to enjoy. As part of our 2016 Membership Drive we are giving credit to some of the folks ... Read More
Volunteer Spotlight: Tobey Jinkins
Without our volunteers, the Idaho Trails Association could not do the important work of keeping public trails open. As part of our 2016 membership drive, we’d like to introduce you to some of the folks that have made our projects so successful and fun. Tobey has volunteered on our Alice-Toxaway project two years running and was moved, like we are, by the stunning beauty of the Sawtooth Mountains. She ... Read More
Join Idaho Trails Association During Our 7th Annual Membership Drive
Become a Steward of Idaho’s Trails Join ITA During Our 7th Annual Membership Drive Dear Idaho Backcountry and Wilderness Trail Lovers: Idaho’s network of backcountry trails leads hikers to and through some of our state’s most beautiful, hidden places. As one of the state’s fastest growing volunteer-driven organizations dedicated to clearing backcountry trails, Idaho Trails Association needs YOU to help us restore and maintain this invaluable legacy. That’s why, from ... Read More
Bee Top Connector Trail Work Debrief
On Tuesday, July 26, eleven volunteers helped work on the final sections of the new Bee Top Connector Trail in the Sandpoint Ranger District of the Idaho Panhandle National Forest. This new trail will re-open access to the Bee Top/Round Top Trail #120 from the east end for the first time in many years. The ITA volunteers re-built a section of the new trail that had been destroyed in a ... Read More
Hike of the Month: Deep Lake
Deep Lake Photo courtesy of: www.idahoaclimbingguide.com Distance: 1.8 miles out-and-back Total elevation gain: 550 feet Difficulty: Easy Elevation Range: 6,800 feet to 7,350 feet Topographic Map: Victor Peak Time: 1 hour Season: Late June through October Water Availability: Deep Lake Cautionary Advice: Trail travels through extensive burn area. Use caution in windy conditions and be prepared for sun exposure. Information: Payette National Forest, McCall Ranger District (208) 634-0400 ... Read More
August’s Backcountry Cooking Tip
This Month’s tips are from Steve Weston the In The Wild Chef. How to make Roasted Poblano Jalapeno Soup! https://youtu.be/YWFW7PuBB1I
Hum Lake trail work party debrief
On July 2nd, 2016 ten volunteers donated 80 hours of volunteer time to clear the Hum Lake trail on the Krassel Ranger District of the Payette National Forest. We were met with clear blue skies, temperatures in the 60s and an empty Trailhead. We started off with introductions and a safety meeting to discuss the day’s events and proper and safe tool use. We ended up taking 2 crosscuts as we ... Read More
2016 Cleanup of the Beehive Lakes Trail #279.
On June 25, volunteers with the Idaho Trails Association (ITA) completed maintenance work on the Beehive Lakes Trail in the Sandpoint District of the Idaho Panhandle National Forest. Fourteen ITA members and friends brushed out 4 ½ miles of trail, re-built or re-opened 43 water diversion ditches, and cut out 5 fallen trees that had blocked the trail. One of the trees we removed measured 36” to 39” in diameter, ... Read More
English Point Trail Work Party Debrief
Our first trail work party of 2016 was another great success. On Friday, April 29, eight volunteers helped the Idaho Trails Association (ITA) do maintenance work on the English Point Trail #80 in the Idaho Panhandle National Forest. The group cleaned out water bars, cut back brush, cleaned sod off of a raised walkway, and did other “spring cleaning” chores. The English Point trail system includes easy loops through forest ... Read More