This fly-in project will drop volunteers deep in the backcountry for a week of backpacking and trail work in the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness. Starting from Cold Meadows backcountry airstrip, we work on clearing trails that form a loop through meadows, up and over ridges, and past several peaks and lakes. Hundreds of logs are expected, and the efforts of the crew will help keep these trails open after several wildfires in the area. Last year the crew removed 410 trees over 9 miles of trail!
Many trails take off from Cold Meadows, accessible by backcountry airstrip or a very long hike in. This is a great opportunity to work in a very remote area of the Frank Church and help preserve a remote trail system.
Project information is subject to change. Crew leaders will communicate via email. Failure to respond to your crew leader may result in being dropped from the project. See our FAQs, reach out to your crew leader, or contact ITA staff at trails@idahotrailsassociation.org if you have questions.
Trails: TBD. We’ll work with the Forest Service to identify trails closer to the project start date. It will depend on the conditions after the winter and FS trail crew progress in the area. Linked map is an example based on past years.
Itinerary: This is a Sunday – Saturday weeklong project. Meet at the McCall airport early Sunday morning to fly in. Begin hiking and clearing from the airstrip, carrying all tools and personal gear as the crew continues around the loop. Bump camp along each night; return to the airstrip by Friday evening. Saturday morning, picked up by the plane to head back to McCall.
Food Provided by ITA: No
Crew Leader: Jessica Evett
Estimated Drive Time from Closest Town: Flying from McCall, Idaho
Trail Map: Click for trail map and elevation profile
Refundable deposit: $50
Why do I need to pay a deposit? We’ve had trouble with people backing out of trips at the last minute which can really affect the productivity of the overall project. By charging a refundable fee, volunteers are less likely to cancel their reservation. Refunds will not be given to volunteers that do not show up or cancel their reservation. Exceptions will be made for medical reasons or unforeseen circumstances. Volunteers can choose to donate the deposit to ITA. All donations are tax-deductible and will go towards maintaining trails throughout Idaho. If you require assistance in paying for this fee, please contact us at trails@idahotrailsassociation.org and we will waive the cost.
Difficulty Rating:
You should have some experience with backpacking and be in good hiking condition with broken-in and tested gear. This is a remote backcountry project so injuries such as sprains and blisters or even extreme fatigue from not being properly conditioned can quickly become a big safety issue. If you are unsure about the proper gear or about preparing for a trip, please reach out to trails@idahotrailsassociation.org.
Volunteer Spots Available: 0 of 6
If there are no volunteer spots available, click “Sign Up” to get on our waitlist for this project!