Project Name: Highline – Flossie Lake – Women in the Wild
Dates: July 27- August 2
ITA’s Women in the Wild trail projects are designed to create a supportive, empowering, and fun environment where women can learn new skills, build confidence, and connect with others who share a love for the outdoors. These all-female trail crews provide a unique space for volunteers to work together, gain hands-on experience in trail maintenance, and make a lasting impact on Idaho’s public lands.
As part of ITA’s Women in the Wild program, volunteers will spend a week clearing several trails and exploring this rugged, remote area deep in the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness. The crew will fly into Chamberlain Basin airstrip and meet with a packer who will bring gear up the Chamberlain Trail to Wet Meadows. From here, the crew will start working on clearing the Three Blaze Trail as it climbs up and follows Highline Ridge. Depending on work, the crew may bump camp a further seven miles to camp at Flossie Lake and continuing back down to the airstrip, completing a loop.
Because of the amount of downfall expected in this area, this is an ambitious project! Depending on the work we find out there, we may stay camped and work out of Dry Meadow for the week, move camp halfway, or turn around and head back the way we came in (on cleared trail!) instead of clearing the whole loop. All work accomplished chips away at keeping these important trails open!
Constructed in 1902 by homesteaders and horsemen, the Three Blaze Trail was originally used by miners traveling between Dixie and the Thunder Mountain mines. Over time, and partly due to wildfires in the area, parts of the trail have been lost or buried under downed trees.
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: Chamberlain Trail # 1, Three Blaze Trail # 17, Flossie Lake Trail #24
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. Work, bump camp if needed. 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: Cindy Walker
Estimated Drive Time from Closest Town: Fly out of McCall
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 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.
If having the right gear to be safe and comfortable is a limiting factor, volunteers may apply for scholarships to purchase gear they need through the Splattski Outdoor Access Fund.
Volunteer Spots Available: 0 of 6
If there are no volunteer spots available, click “Sign Up” to get on our waitlist for this project!
Waitlist Signups: 5
