This trip is open to BIPOC community members only. GBCA is excited to offer this trip in partnership with Here Montana. Crystal Lake is a special, lesser traveled lake in the Ward Eagle Roadless Area. Join us on this trip for the opportunity to learn about GBCA’s restoration program and do your part in stewarding this land! Along the way, we will hand pull some weed populations as well as maintain backcountry campsites around the lake. Volunteers will have the opportunity to engage in afternoon activities such as learning about the history of the lake, practicing LNT principles, and engaging in outdoor leadership. If you are interested in fishing at Crystal Lake, be sure to have your MT license!

Trailhead: Crystal Lake #269, Superior Ranger District, Lolo National Forest

Closest Town: St. Regis, MT

**All volunteer trips are subject to change due to ever-changing fire activity. 

DIFFICULTY 

Hiking

Moderate - The hike into Crystal Lake is very steep, but rather short at only 3 miles round trip. Be prepared for a heart-pumping hike in, and an easy hike out. 

Work

Easy - Work will include hand pulling weeds and cleaning up campsites. Pulling weeds on the hike in will allow for frequent breaks. 

ITINERARY

Day 1 | We will meet at the Crystal Lake trailhead at 0900MT. After a trailhead briefing, we will work our way up the trail while pulling targeted noxious weeds. At the lake, we will set up camp and clean up campsites. There will be plenty of time in the afternoon for swimming and fishing. 1.5 miles, 1300ft elevation gain, 0ft elevation loss.

Day 2 | After breakfast, we will pack up camp and finish up any work that needs to be done. We will be back to the trailhead between mid morning and lunchtime. 1.5 miles, 0ft elevation gain, 1300ft elevation loss.

Trip Map

Click on the trail for milage and elevation info.

Great Burn Conservation Alliance trips are free. Each volunteer will be required to make a 100% refundable deposit to secure a trip spot. The cost of the deposit is $50, which will be returned if you cancel at least 3 weeks before your scheduled trip or once you attend the trip. A lot of planning goes into these trips and we need to make sure you’re committed! If you are unable to make a deposit, please reach out to volunteer@greatburn.org.

This area is a popular destination for both backpackers and day hikers, and is located on the Superior Ranger District. GBCA has a long history restoring the sensitive sub-alpine meadows around Pearl Lake, which has dealt with pesky noxious weeds in the past. This volunteer group will head out and hand pull selected species, as well as monitor and clean campsites around Pearl Lake. There’s also a good chance you’ll catch sight of the local mountain goat herd!

Trailhead: Hoodoo Pass, Stateline #738, Superior RD, Lolo NF

Closest Town: Superior, MT

**All volunteer trips are subject to change due to ever-changing fire activity.

Difficulty

Hiking

Moderate to Strenuous: Although the hike to and from Pearl Lake is just over 5 miles, the elevation gain and loss is not something to overlook.

Work

Moderate: Work will involve hand pulling weeds while being exposed to the sun. Hand tools may include trowels, weed pullers, and pruners.

Itinerary

Day 1 | We’ll meet at the Hoodoo Pass trailhead at 0900 MST. From here, the group will decide whether they want to finish the trip at this trailhead, or shuttle themselves from Heart Lake. Arrangements will be made accordingly. Our hike to Pearl Lake will be via the Stateline #738. After lunch and camp set up we’ll survey the campsites around Pearl Lake. 5.3 mi. Elevation gain: 1,700 ft, Elevation loss: 1,300 ft.

Day 2 | Work will continue in the morning with monitoring and improving the meadows above Pearl Lake. There will be time to enjoy the area and swim if desired.

Day 3 | We will pack up and hike out with the route dependent on the decision made on Day 1 with plans to be to the trailhead around noon. Hoodoo Pass: 5.3 mi. Elevation gain: 1,300 ft. Elevation loss: 1,700ft. Heart Lake: 4.0 mi. Elevation gain: 200 ft. Elevation loss: 1,800ft.

Great Burn Conservation Alliance trips are free. Each volunteer will be required to make a 100% refundable deposit to secure a trip spot. The cost of the deposit is $50, which will be returned if you cancel at least 3 weeks before your scheduled trip or once you attend the trip. A lot of planning goes into these trips and we need to make sure you’re committed! If you are unable to make a deposit, please reach out to volunteer@greatburn.org.

Join us for the unique opportunity to work alongside the Forest Service and help to maintain Surveyor's Lookout on the Idaho Panhandle National Forest. This 30-foot tower overlooks the spectacular Mallard Larkins Recommended Wilderness and is in the rental program, meaning members of the public are able to stay overnight throughout the summer! During this trip, we will focus on repainting the interior/exterior of the building, working together to maintain this historical structure. If time permits, the group will also have the opportunity to complete a heritage survey with guidance from a USFS archeologist. 

This will be a front country trip. Volunteers will set up tents around the lookout area and have access to their vehicles during their stay. 

Trailhead: Surveyor’s Lookout

Closest Town: St. Regis, MT

**All volunteer trips are subject to change due to ever-changing fire activity. 

DIFFICULTY

Hiking

Easy-Moderate: We will be camping and working at Surveyor’s Lookout. There will be minimal walking/hiking involved unless time permits and we can complete a heritage survey. In this instance, be prepared for some slow, off-trail hiking. 

Work

Moderate: Work will involve repainting the lookout and various minor repairs. Time permitting, we will also complete a heritage survey in the area. 

ITINERARY

Day 1 | We’ll meet at the Surveyor’s Lookout site at 1000MT. We will set up camp and get oriented with the project location and objectives. We will begin lookout maintenance with the remainder of the day. 

Day 2 | Work will continue alongside USFS, repainting and maintaining the lookout. After work, there will be plenty of time to explore the area, take a cold plunge, or relax with a good book. 

Day 3 | Work will continue on the lookout. If time and energy permits, we will have the opportunity to complete a heritage survey while being guided by the USFS archaeologist. 

Day 4 | After breakfast and tea, we will pack up camp and finish any work that is remaining. We will plan to leave the lookout site by lunchtime. 

Great Burn Conservation Alliance trips are free. Each volunteer will be required to make a 100% refundable deposit to secure a trip spot. The cost of the deposit is $50, which will be returned if you cancel at least 3 weeks before your scheduled trip or once you attend the trip. A lot of planning goes into these trips and we need to make sure you’re committed! If you are unable to make a deposit, please reach out to volunteer@greatburn.org.

Join us for a trip of work and discovery at the Lochsa Historic Ranger Station. Volunteers will have the unique experience of camping on the Ranger Station grounds while learning more about the history and area from GBCA's board member and volunteer host, Sarah Bates. During the project, volunteers will connect with restoration crew members to complete vegetation monitoring and hand pulling noxious weeds. We will also focus on clearing and brushing the Lochsa Downriver #2 trail, working from the Ranger Station. 

This will be a front country trip. Volunteers will set up tents around the Ranger Station and have access to their vehicles throughout the trip.

Trailhead: Lochsa Historic Ranger Station

Closest Town: Kooskia, ID

Difficulty

Hiking

Easy. Work will begin from the Ranger Station along the Lochsa Downriver #2 trail which follows the river gradient.

Work

Moderate/Strenuous: Work will consist of pulling weeds, completing vegetation monitoring plots, and clearing and brushing the trail. While there is no intense cardio activity, work can be strenuous on hot summer days. 

Itinerary

Day 1 | Meet at Lochsa Historic Ranger Station at 1000MT. The group will get oriented to the location, get set up, and have lunch. After lunch, volunteers will work with our restoration crews hand pulling and monitoring invasive weed populations near the Station. 

Day 2 | Work will begin on the Lochsa Downriver #2 trail starting from the Ranger Station. Activities will include log out, brushing, and some drainage work. In the afternoon, you will have the opportunity for a tour of the Historic Ranger Station. 

Day 3 | We will continue working on the Lochsa Downriver #2 trail, working out from where we left off the day before. Enjoy fishing or swimming in the Lochsa River following the work day.

Day 4 | We will wrap up any work, gather tools, help Sarah with any maintenance around the station, and be on the road by lunch time.

Great Burn Conservation Alliance trips are free. Each volunteer will be required to make a 100% refundable deposit to secure a trip spot. The cost of the deposit is $50, which will be returned if you cancel at least 3 weeks before your scheduled trip or once you attend the trip. A lot of planning goes into these trips and we need to make sure you’re committed! If you are unable to make a deposit, please reach out to volunteer@greatburn.org.

Join us for a trip to Trail Lake, a wonderful sub-alpine lake along the MT/ID Stateline that you just may not know about. Located just north of the Great Burn Recommended Wilderness, Trail Lake is located in the Meadow Creek-Upper North Fork Roadless Area. This is our second year working to reclaim the lost trail heading from the lake up to the Stateline. This is an exciting and unique project, so don’t miss out! Trail Lake has a self-sustaining population of brook trout, and fishing is encouraged, be sure to have your MT license!

Trailhead: Trail Lake #156, Superior Ranger District, Lolo National Forest

Closest Town: Superior, MT

**All volunteer trips are subject to change due to ever-changing fire activity.

Difficulty

Hiking

Easy to Moderate. There is a descent amount of elevation gain on the short hike in to the lake, but after day one, we will be doing little hiking during our work days.

Work

Strenuous. This trip involves heavy trail work including brushing and building tread. Hand tools may include: shovels, picks, mattocks, McLeods, Pulaskis, loppers, hand saws, and more.

Itinerary

Day 1 | We will meet at the Trail Lake trailhead at 0800 MST (with the option of carpooling from Missoula). After a safety meeting, we will begin our hike in to Trail Lake to set up camp. The USFS/MCC crew will brief us on the plan for the trip.

Day 2 | Work on Trail Lake #156 with the trail crew. Tasks will include corridor clearing, brushing, and tread improvement.

Day 3 | Work on Trail Lake #156 with the trail crew.

Day 4 | We will finish up any needed work with the trail crew in the morning. We will pack up camp and be back to the trailhead around 1300 MST.

Great Burn Conservation Alliance trips are free. Each volunteer will be required to make a 100% refundable deposit to secure a trip spot. The cost of the deposit is $50, which will be returned if you cancel at least 3 weeks before your scheduled trip or once you attend the trip. A lot of planning goes into these trips and we need to make sure you’re committed! If you are unable to make a deposit, please reach out to volunteer@greatburn.org.

We are excited for another year of partnering with Idaho Trails Association on this week-long trail improvement project along the Idaho Centennial Trail. Volunteers will work alongside GBCA and ITA staff to clear a portion of the Idaho Centennial Trail that has been neglected and eroding for many years (Windy Bill #531).

This trip is stock-supported to assist in bringing in group gear, tools, and food. Be prepared to carry your personal camping gear in with you.

Trailhead: Scurvy Mountain #524, North Fork Ranger District, Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest

Closest Town: Pierce, ID

**All volunteer trips are subject to change due to ever-changing fire activity.

Difficulty

Hiking

Strenuous. The hike in to camp and to the work location includes a good amount of elevation gain with minimal switchbacks.

Work

Strenuous. Work will primarily be focused on logging out the trail and installing waterbars. Volunteers will use a cross cut saw and variety of hand tools to complete this project.

For more specific trip info and registration, visit ITA’s website. You can view the trip itinerary and register directly through the ITA website. There are 4 spots reserved specifically for GBCA volunteers.

Come out for the unique opportunity to work alongside our GBCA and USFS trail crew as well as stay in the old Weitas Creek Guard Station. Volunteers will help to log out and brush a section of the nearly 30 mile Weitas Creek trail near the North Fork of the Clearwater River. During the project, the group will be guided by the trail crew and get a peak into the life of seasonal workers. Work will involve armoring a bridge sill to prevent erosion, and working on other trail structures. Although we’ll be in the backcountry, we’ll have the luxury of staying at the Guard Station, which has both a cookhouse and bunkhouses. Weitas Creek is also a Blue-Ribbon cutthroat trout stream, so if you like to fish, don’t forget your ID license!

Trailhead: Weitas Creek #20, North Fork Ranger District, Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest

Closest Town: Pierce, ID

Difficulty

Hiking

Moderate: The Guard Station is 8 miles from the trailhead, however the trail has minimal elevation gain/loss as it follows the creek gradient a majority of the way.

Work

Strenuous: Work will involve swamping, brushing, and cleaning/repairing drainages. Hand tools will include McLeods, Pulaski, shovels, loppers, and hand saws.

Itinerary

Day 1 | The group will meet at Weitas Creek Campground at 0900PT. After a trailhead briefing and safety talk, we will begin our hike to the Guard Station. At the Guard Station, we will set up camp and get oriented with the area. We will begin trail work if time allows. 7.5 mi. Elevation gain: 1100ft. Elevation loss: 700ft. 

Day 2 | The group will work alongside the trail crew, assisting with a variety of tasks. After work, there will be plenty of time for swimming, fishing, or relaxing with a book. 

Day 3 | Work will continue with the trail crew, working further up or down the trail. 

Day 4 | After breakfast and tea, we will pack up camp and complete minor cleaning and maintenance of the Guard Station. Hiking out of the trail, we expect to arrive at the trailhead around 1400PT. 7.5 mi. Elevation gain: 700ft. Elevation loss: 1100ft. 

Great Burn Conservation Alliance trips are free. Each volunteer will be required to make a 100% refundable deposit to secure a trip spot. The cost of the deposit is $50, which will be returned if you cancel at least 3 weeks before your scheduled trip or once you attend the trip. A lot of planning goes into these trips and we need to make sure you’re committed! If you are unable to make a deposit, please reach out to volunteer@greatburn.org.

Heart Lake is a beautiful high elevation lake, but it is so easy to access that it sees an increasing amount of use and sometimes abuse each year. Over the years, GBCA has worked with the Forest Service to install two pit toilets at Heart Lake to help mitigate human waste issues. They have been very successful, and it’s come time to dig new holes! Join us on this trip to meet a bunch of fellow outdoor lovers, eat some good food, and help relocate the existing pit toilets. We will be camping at Heart Lake, so if you’re interested in fishing, make sure to have your MT license!

Trailhead: Heart Lake #171, Superior Ranger District, Lolo National Forest

Closest Town: Superior, MT

**All volunteer trips are subject to change due to ever-changing fire activity.

Difficulty

Hiking

Moderate. Our hike to Heart Lake is only 3 miles, but has a moderate amount of elevation gain.

Work

Moderate to Strenuous. We will be digging two large holes for pit toilet relocation. This will involve using tools such as shovels, post hole diggers, rock bars, pick mattocks, and more.

Itinerary

Day 1 | We will meet at the Heart Lake #171 trailhead at 0900MT. After a short trailhead briefing, we will hike into Heart Lake, set up camp, and begin digging one latrine hole. 3 mi. Elevation gain: 1200ft, Elevation loss: 60ft.

Day 2 | We will continue work on relocating the pit toilets, digging throughout the day and taking breaks as necessary. In the afternoon, there will be time to fish and swim. 

Day 3 | We will have breakfast, pack up camp, finish any work that needs to be done, and head back to the trailhead by lunchtime. 3 miles, 60ft elevation gain, 1200ft elevation loss.

Great Burn Conservation Alliance trips are free. Each volunteer will be required to make a 100% refundable deposit to secure a trip spot. The cost of the deposit is $50, which will be returned if you cancel at least 3 weeks before your scheduled trip or once you attend the trip. A lot of planning goes into these trips and we need to make sure you’re committed! If you are unable to make a deposit, please reach out to volunteer@greatburn.org.

Join us for our fifth year of partnering with the Rocky Mountaineers on a trail improvement project. You do not have to be a member of the group to sign up, however, we can bet that you’ll want to be after a trip with these awesome folks! We are lucky to have such a hardworking group so passionate about maintaining trails. This year, we will be car camping from the Cache Creek trailhead. Each day, we will be working up the drainage, working to brush and repair drainages along the way.

Trailhead: Cache Creek #317, Ninemile Ranger District, Lolo National Forest

Closest Town: Lolo, MT

**All volunteer trips are subject to change due to ever-changing fire activity.

Difficulty

Hiking

Easy. Our work begins right at the trailhead as we brush and maintain the Cache Creek trail. A majority of the trail is at creek gradient and there are no steep climbs.

Work

Strenuous. This trip involves heavy trail work including brushing, cleaning drainages, and realigning tread. Hand tools may include: shovels, picks, mattocks, McLeods, Pulaskis, loppers, hand saws, and more.

Itinerary

Day 1 | Meet at the Cache Creek trailhead at 0900 MST. The group will get camp set up and be briefed on the project at hand. We will begin working on clearing and repairing the trail. After a full day’s work, we’ll head back to the trailhead for a night of car camping. 

Day 2 | Continue working to clear and brush the trail. 

Day 3 | Continue working to clear and brush the trail. 

Day 4 | Finish up any work that needs to be done in the morning. Pack up camp and head out around lunchtime.

Great Burn Conservation Alliance trips are free. Each volunteer will be required to make a 100% refundable deposit to secure a trip spot. The cost of the deposit is $50, which will be returned if you cancel at least 3 weeks before your scheduled trip or once you attend the trip. A lot of planning goes into these trips and we need to make sure you’re committed! If you are unable to make a deposit, please reach out to volunteer@greatburn.org.

Join GBCA and Women Who Explore on our fourth annual Heart Lake Cleanup! Heart Lake is a beautiful alpine lake, but so easy to access that it sees an increasing amount of use and sometimes abuse each year. Join us on this weekend outing to meet a bunch of awesome women explorers, eat some good food, and help us keep the backcountry clean! On this trip, we will clean up campsites at Heart Lake with the option for our hardy adventurers to explore Pearl and Dalton Lakes as well. Activities will also include mountain goat and pika surveys, and of course campfire stories. 

GBCA will provide dinner and breakfast. Just come with any snacks or lunch items you like to enjoy. 

Please keep in mind there could be snow, wind, rain or absolutely perfect conditions this time of year. As long as we deem conditions safe we will not cancel for inclement weather. If there is a chance of snow please pack accordingly. If you are in need of any gear to help keep you comfortable and safe during this trip, please don’t hesitate to contact volunteer@greatburn.org. 

Trailhead: Hoodoo Pass, Stateline #738, Superior Ranger District, Lolo National Forest

Closest Town: Superior, MT

**All volunteer trips are subject to change due to ever-changing fire activity. 

Difficulty

Hiking

Moderate. We will hike in to Heart Lake from the Stateline #738 trail. This 4 mile trek has some steep elevation gains, but a lovely descent to the lake. We will hike out the Heart Lake #171 trail which is downhill to the trailhead.

Work

Easy. We will be cleaning up campsites, reconstructing some damaged fire rings and performing mountain goat surveys.

Itinerary

Day 1 | We will meet at the Heart Lake #171 trailhead at 0900MT and shuttle to the Hoodoo Pass trailhead. We will hike into Heart Lake, set up camp, and begin our cleanup. There will be plenty of time in the evening to hang out near the lake, enjoy the campfire, or cozy up and read a book.

Day 2 | After breakfast and tea, we will finish any work that needs to be done. We will pack up camp and hike out via the Heart Lake #171 trail with hopes of arriving to the trailhead around lunchtime. 

**All participants must complete both the GBCA form and the Women Who Explore form to be considered registered for this trip.**

Great Burn Conservation Alliance trips are free. Each volunteer will be required to make a 100% refundable deposit to secure a trip spot. The cost of the deposit is $50, which will be returned if you cancel at least 3 weeks before your scheduled trip or once you attend the trip. A lot of planning goes into these trips and we need to make sure you’re committed! If you are unable to make a deposit, please reach out to volunteer@greatburn.org.