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.

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.