Before ITA crews head into the backcountry, it helps to know what they’re walking into. That’s where you come in. The ITA Trail Scouting Program gives volunteers a simple way to contribute to trail maintenance – no special training required. If you’re already planning a hike on an upcoming ITA project trail, you can make that trip count by submitting a trail report.

Trail scouting means hiking a trail that ITA plans to work on and reporting what you find. Scouts document trail conditions, note problems like downed trees, eroded tread, or overgrown brush, and submit a report using ITAs Trail Reporter form. That information goes directly to ITA staff and crew leaders to help plan more effective projects. Scouts work year-round.

What to Look For

  • Downed trees or logs blocking the path – note size if possible
  • Overgrown brush narrowing or hiding the trail
  • Eroded or washed-out sections of trail
  • Broken or clogged water bars and drainage features
  • Rockslides or debris on the trail
  • Lost or hard-to-follow sections
  • General trail condition – good, fair, or poor
  • Road conditions to the trial head
  • Camping availably, depending on the project
  • Water availability along the trail

No Sign-Up Needed – Just Go Hike

Any trail on the ITA project schedule can be scouted. The more reports we get, the better we can plan. There is no such thing as too much information.

You do not need to sign up or check in before heading out. Simply hike, take notes, and submit a report when you get back. Every report helps!

If you’d like to connect with staff or the crew leader for a specific project before your hike – to ask questions, get more details about the trail, or coordinate your scouting – email Alex Cravener at alex@idahotrailsassociation.org and we’ll get you in touch.

Once you submit a report, let us know at trails@idahotrailsassociation.org

Trails Where We Need Reports Most

The list below highlights projects coming up this season where we don’t yet have recent trail reports. Once we have a report for a trail, it comes off the list. But remember  any ITA project trail is fair game. Check the full project schedule to see everything we have planned this season.

*** Starred projects mean someone has reached out as interested in scouting this trail. Projects will be removed when a trail report is submitted!

Submit a Trail Report
View Full Project Schedule

Having trouble accessing the form? Email your report directly to trails@idahotrailsassociation.org and we’ll take it from there.

Potential Projects for 2027 and Beyond

Cayuse-Monroe Trail #532 | Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest Trail #532 runs through the Kelly Creek drainage in the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest. Access is from the Kelly Creek Trailhead via County Road 581 off Hwy 12, approximately 4 miles in along the Kelly Creek Trail. The project section runs between approximately 46.7130, -115.0226 and 46.6680, -115.0709.

Bruin Hill Trail #490 | Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness Trail #490 is considered a potentially lost trail, meaning it may be overgrown or hard to follow in sections. Access is from Fish Lake. This is a scouting priority to help us determine what condition the trail is in and whether a full project is feasible.

Hanson Ridge Trail #428 | Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness Trail #428 is accessed from the Kelly Creek Trailhead via County Road 581 off Hwy 12. The project section runs between approximately 46.7193, -114.8936 and 46.7576, -114.9077.

Windy Creek Trail #634 | Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness Trail #634 is accessed via the Weitas Creek Trail. The project section runs between approximately 46.4938, -115.3253 and 46.5392, -115.2049.

Indian Creek Trail | Salmon-Challis National Forest | Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness Indian Creek Trail is 8.1 miles long, accessed via the Summit Trail. The project area starts at approximately 44.77400, -115.39727, working from the top down.