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.

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.