A Look Back at 2013
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 the Sawtooth National Forest, Salmon-Challis National Forest, and Payette National Forest. ITA worked with the BLM and REI on National ... Read More
Alice-Toxaway Crown Jewels
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. In total, we were able to maintain roughly 22 miles of trail, including the Alice-Toxaway Loop and several trails that ... Read More
Reaching New Heights on Mt. Borah with ITA
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 project in a two-part series on the trail this year. Read about volunteer and project leader John McCarthy's experience with the ... Read More
Linking Baker Lake to Ketchum: The Pioneer/Osberg Ridge Trail Project
Waking up to cool mornings (low-20's) 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 complete some much needed maintenance on the new Osberg Ridge trail. The first day of work began with an unforgettable ... Read More
National Trails Day- Managing Roberson Trail West with REI and BLM
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 successful due to our great volunteers, REI and the BLM. Although sections of the trail were near a precipice and ... Read More
Marble Creek Trail Project – Reopening a Dissapearing Trail
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.
Wewukiye Construction, Round Two
“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.
Hum Lake Trail Work Debrief
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.
West Fork Camas Creek Project – Finish Strong!
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."
Pistol Creek Trail Project – Rock Stars
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!