Project Name: Frank Church Wilderness Immersion – Application 

Because of the unique nature of this long project and the remote location, we ask interested volunteers to fill out an application. Wilderness Immersion applications are due March 22nd, with preference given to ITA members. ITA staff and crew leaders will review applications and inform folks by April 3rd if they are selected as volunteers. You must read the entire project and difficulty description before applying.  

This fly-in project will drop volunteers deep in the backcountry for an extended project working on trails in the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness. Starting from Cold Meadows backcountry airstrip, we'll work on clearing up the Cottonwood Creek Trail. We'll work on a reroute in one of the meadows the trail passes through, around a section flooded by beavers, started last year. The crew will also work on clearing the trail toward Black Lake and beyond, with potential to bump camp along as work allows.  

The Cottonwood Creek Trail connects with several other trails to form trail loops through meadows, up and over ridges, and past several peaks and lakes. ITA has been working on clearing trails in this area for many years now, with no shortage of downfall each year. This is a great opportunityto work in a very remote area of the Frank Church and help preserve a remote trail system.  

ITA is partnering with the Selway Bitterroot Frank Church Wilderness Foundation, who will also have a crew out for the duration. We'll camp separately and be working on different sections of trail but there may be opportunity for some inter-crew socialization and support on the project work. Having these projects at the same time allows us to maximize pack support opportunities for both crews in this very remote area! 

Flying in and out of Cascade, we'll have pack support available to bring some of our camping gear, food, and tools into a base camp near the confluence of Farrow and Cottonwood Creek, about 6 miles of easy hiking. Halfway through, a food resupply will be flown into the airstrip, and the crew will hike back to get it. At the end of the project, pack support returns to bring gear back to the airstrip for a flight back home early the last day. As the crew progresses further, we may decide it's best to move our camp closer to work; pack support is not available to bump camp, so this will be backpacking.  

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: Cottonwood Creek Trail #41, Black Lake Trail # 238 

Itinerary: This is a 15-day project. Volunteers will join a pre-trip Zoom meeting/planning session in the months prior to the trip. Pack support in and out of a backcountry camp, with a self-supported backpacking trip further up the trail as work allows.  

Food Provided by ITA: No  

Gear Packing List: More information about planning extended backcountry trips will be available to the crew Gear Checklist for Backpacking Projects 

Crew Leader: Glenn Florence and Michelle Florence  

Estimated Drive Time from Closest Town: Flying from Cascade 

Trail Map: Click for trail map and elevation profile  

Refundable deposit: $50 - Due if selected as a volunteer  

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 

The difficulty on the project is not so much the distance or work, but the duration of the experience! You do not have to be an expert thru hiker or seasoned trail crew veteran to join, but you must be willing to participate in the pre-trip preparation to ensure your success and safety.  

Experience with backpacking and being in good hiking condition with broken-in and tested gear is mandatory for this project. 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. It is expected that volunteers will begin training for this project upon acceptance.  

You will be asked to prepare fifteen days' worth of backcountry meals prior to leaving. Crew leaders can help advise during the pre-trip meetings, but ultimately you are responsible for your food. 

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. 

You will be spending fifteen days with no access to any normal comforts, no hot showers or bathrooms, sleeping on the ground, rain or shine, etc. It will be awesome and life-changing! 

You will be out of direct contact with friends and family for fifteen days. In an emergency, either at home or in the field, there is no quick way to return to civilization. In the event of an emergency, crew leaders will have satellite messengers to coordinate evacuation if necessary. 

Flexibility is also very important, as trail projects of this length rarely go perfectly according to Plan A. You will be expected to work together as a crew and, if necessary, through InReach contact with the Forest Service and ITA staff, to help brainstorm solutions and overcome obstacles as a team.  

Reading all required information, communicating with your crew leaders, and arriving at the project 100% prepared is crucial to this project. Crew leaders reserve the right to ask you not to participate at the trailhead if they feel you show up unprepared (for example, brand new boots out of the box not broken in or arriving with not enough food). 

You must be ready and willing to commit to the entire 15 days. Having folks bail right before the trip or after just a few days dramatically and unfairly impacts the rest of the crew.  

Get a bonus point for reading by putting "I promise I read the description!" in the first section of your application. I know it's a lot of information, but we want folks to take the risks of an extended trip seriously! 

Volunteer Spots: 8