Project Name: St. Joe River
Project Dates: July 13-19
Along the stunning federally designated Wild and Scenic St. Joe River, we’ll work to maintain the trail next to this renowned waterway, attracting visitors from across the state for world-class fly fishing. Pack your fly rod and take advantage of the opportunity to cast for Native Cutthroat Trout in this pristine, seldom-visited backcountry of the Idaho Panhandle National Forest. From our base camp along the river, we’ll focus on crosscut saw work, brushing, and tread repair, all while surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty. This is a remote project set on one of Idaho’s most picturesque rivers—a perfect blend of trail maintenance and outdoor adventure!
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.
Trail: St. Joe River Trail #48
Itinerary: Arrive at Spruce Tree Campground Saturday afternoon/evening. Meet packer Sunday morning to hike into base camp; the packer will pack gear. Work Monday-Friday with a day off mid-week to relax, fish, and explore. Saturday morning, the packer will return to bring gear back to the trailhead. There is a potential to move camp mid-week depending on project work. Crew leader will specify the meeting time & place in their pre-trip emails.
Food Provided by ITA: Yes
Crew Leader: Don McIntosh
Estimated Drive Time from Closest Town: 1.5 hours from Avery, 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.
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: 4 of 15
If there are no volunteer spots available, click “Sign Up” to get on our waitlist for this project!
Waitlist Signups: 0
