Project Name: Dagger Falls – Youth
Dates: June 22-28
ITA’s Youth Trail Crew Program provides opportunities for youth ages 14-18 to learn about the outdoors while building and maintaining hiking trails in a safe, teamwork-oriented environment.
The Middle Fork of the Salmon River flows for 98 miles through the heart of the Frank Church- River of No Return Wilderness. As part of our Youth Trail Crew Program, volunteers will work on a section of the Middle Fork Trail which runs 80 miles from Big Hole to Camas Creek.
We will car camp near Dagger Falls and work upstream, brushing, logging out, and addressing any drainage issues on the trail. Depending on the work we find, we could also work up the Soldier Basin Trail which 5.5 miles uphill summits Big Soldier Mountain (8970’).
The Wild and Scenic Middle Fork of the Salmon River is an iconic Idaho river for good reason. Part of the Idaho Centennial Trail, backpackers, day hikers, equestrians, and boaters all use this trail to access this incredible part of the Frank Church Wilderness.
With guidance from crew leaders, volunteers will be involved in all aspects of camp life. This includes camp set up, water and sanitation, and ensuring tools are accounted for. Volunteers are expected to adhere to Leave No Trace best practices and project safety expectations set by crew leaders.
ITA’s youth projects are completely free for volunteers to join and all food is provided. Gear can be borrowed from ITA if needed with advanced notice or youth may apply for scholarships to purchase gear they need through the Splattski Outdoor Access Fund. See our Youth Program page for more info.
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: Middle Fork Trail #001
Itinerary: This is a Sunday-Saturday weeklong project. Meet at Dagger Falls on Sunday to set up camp, go over trail work basics. Working Monday-Friday, rest day as needed. Saturday morning, cleaning up camp for pick up!
Food Provided by ITA: Yes
Crew Leader: Clay Jacobson and Barry Miller
Estimated Drive Time from Closest Town: 1.5 hours from Stanley
Trail Map: Click for trail map and elevation profile
***New for this year***
Youth trip sign-ups will be open until March 17th. Although early sign-ups will be prioritized, ITA leadership and staff may adjust the final crews to maximize trip experience and provide opportunities for the greatest number of youth participants. To help facilitate trip assignments, please sign-up for your preferred trip and include alternate trips you could participate on should the preferred trip not be available. You will receive notification of trip assignment via email prior to March 31st.
Difficulty Rating
Volunteer Spots: 12
