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.

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.