Our Warm Springs Youth Crew returned to the stunning White Clouds Wilderness this weekend, where alpine peaks, wildflowers, and crystal-clear streams set the backdrop for two days of hard work. Even a major mudslide- and thigh-deep, swift river crossings- couldn’t dampen the crew’s determination to put in good work and get plenty of miles under their boots. By the end of the weekend, they had continued trail work started by another ITA all-girls youth crew last summer, reopening an additional 4.2 miles of trail and removing 42 downed trees along the way.

Working alongside one another, participants strengthened their trail maintenance and wilderness skills; from safely using crosscut saws and reading the landscape to solving problems as a team in a remote backcountry setting. Beyond the technical skills, they learned what it means to be dependable crew members, support one another through challenges, and leave the wilderness better than they found it. 🌲🩷

“I hope these projects show every participant that they belong in outdoor spaces exactly as they are. Having mentors who look like you and have navigated similar experiences can make all the difference in believing that these careers and these adventures are meant for you, too.” — Taylor, Youth Program Coordinator

Another successful Women in the Wild project, an annual collaboration with our partners at the @wrtrailscoalition . This past weekend our all-woman crew rerouted and improved a 210 foot section of trail and logged out 10 large trees on the North Fork West Pass trail #115 in the Hemingway-Boulders Wilderness.

Photos by: Dagmar Rapp, Gracie Maulik, Kelly Sandusky, and Carith Kamermans

The High Dive-Deep Creek crew was hard at work in the southern Seven Devils last week! Eight volunteers and a camp cook joined ITA Executive Director Melanie Vining to work on the Echols Ridge #187 and Horse Pasture Basin #183 trails.

On the Echols Ridge Trail, volunteers worked clearing downfall, including large root wads, brushing, and reestablishing tread on 2.6 miles of this route to Twin Lakes, nestled at the foot of Echols Mountain. A second ITA crew will continue this work to clear the entire 6.5+ mile route in August.

On the Horse Pasture Basin Trail, volunteers cleared 26 trees off the 3.5-mile trail between the trailhead and Joe's Gap, where it crosses over into Six Lake Basin. They also cleared 9 trees from the trailhead at Black Lake that heads west to access both Six Lake Basin and Emerald Lake.

The crew shared laughs, great food, and possibly a few choice words directed at the stubborn root wads that have become par for the 2026 trail clearing course. Big thanks to this hard-working and good-humored group!

Photos by: Karen Lubcke, Colleen Dibble, and Melanie Vining

🥾Backpacking, breathtaking views, and someone else cooking dinner? This project has it all!🥾

We're looking for volunteers to join a fully supported backcountry trail project near the beautiful Proposed Great Burn Wilderness. That means your meals are prepared for you and your camping gear is packed into camp—so you can focus on the trail work and enjoy the experience.

Never been on a trail crew with a backcountry cook? You're in for a treat. After a rewarding day of improving Idaho's trails, you'll return to camp to delicious meals and incredible mountain views.

This project happening August 9-15 is in partnership with @greatburnconservationalliance as we work to restore sections of the Scurvy Mountain Trail and Windy Bill Trail, part of the Idaho Centennial Trail. Idaho Trails Association is proud to help maintain this 1,000-mile trail each year.

Our base camp sits below Scurvy Mountain Lookout, with sweeping views of the Moose Mountains, Scurvy Lake, and the Cayuse and Kelly Creek drainages. Together, we'll repair deeply eroded trail tread, install water bars to reduce future erosion, and improve this popular route for everyone who visits.

If you've been looking for an unforgettable backcountry adventure where the hard work is rewarded with great food, great company, and incredible scenery, this is the project for you!

See link in profile to learn more!

Looking for a fun family adventure this summer? Join Idaho Trails Association and Selway Bitterroot Frank Church Foundation for a one-of-a-kind Family Volunteer Weekend outside of McCall on August 8–9!

We'll camp together along beautiful Upper Payette Lake, spend time exploring the lakeshore, playing games, and giving back to Idaho's trails. This special project is designed with families in mind—parents or guardians can take turns heading out for a day of trail work while the rest of the family enjoys camp. We'll have fun activities planned for younger kids and their grown-ups, making it a great weekend for everyone.

We're excited to partner with @selwaybitterroot on this first-ever family volunteer weekend for both organizations! Families with kids of all ages are welcome to camp with us, though trail work is best suited for older children.

Come make memories, meet other trail-loving families, and help care for the places we all love. We can't wait to see you there!

👉See link in profile to learn more.

Check out this trail work opportunity from Sawtooth Conservation and Recreation Alliance!
July 25, 10am-2pm
Contact casiej@sawtoothcra.org to sign up.

What a month! 💚

In June, 50 youth volunteers and crew leaders stepped up to care for Idaho’s public lands, building skills, friendships, and a deeper connection to the places they helped steward.

Together, they accomplished an incredible amount:

🥾 23 days on trail
👥 50 volunteers
⏱️ 1,564 trail work hours
📍 34.7 miles of trail maintained
🪵 136 trees removed from the trail
🌿 7.5 miles of brushing completed
⛏️ 1.8 miles of tread improved
💧 17 water bars built or restored
🪧 2 trail signs restored
🐾 1 historic cougar cage dismantled and removed

These numbers represent more than miles and metrics. They represent young people learning to use hand tools, working through challenges as a team, building confidence in the backcountry, and giving back to the trails that connect all of us to Idaho’s wild places.

A huge thank you to every youth volunteer, crew leader, partner, parent, and supporter who made these projects possible. Your dedication is helping build the next generation of trail stewards.

Here’s to another month of adventure, hard work, and caring for the places we love. 💚

Have you heard of Magee Cabin? Come check out our projects hosted at this incredible forest service cabin!

🌲July 31-Aug 2 Little Elk (previously Settlers Cedar Grove)
https://idahotrailsassociation.org/event/2026-settlers-cedar-grove/

🏕️September 11-13 Magee Cabin https://idahotrailsassociation.org/event/2026-magee/

Good news for any Wild Women out there, we've got open spots on our July 10-12 Women in the Wild project! Updated location in the Selway Bitterroot Wilderness. We're camping at Deep Creek Campground and working the Selway South Trail out of the Magruder Ranger Station. Crosscut and hand saw work, great crew, and a shorter drive than originally planned. Come join us! 👉 idahotrailsassociation.org/event/2026-whitecap-creek-women-in-the-wild/

A six member ITA crew was packed into a campsite where Running Creek meets the Selway River. The week started with hot temps before shifting to cold and rainy weather to end the week. The trail segment from Running Creek downstream has been overwhelmed by heavy brush (including dreaded hawthorn bushes) and narrowing tread. Hand saws, loppers, and tread tools were the order of the week as the crew opened clear sailing for 2.5 miles of trail as well as bumping ahead of that segment to re-establish tread for 200 feet through a scree field, building a stone crib wall along the way. A big thanks to Salmon Challis Forest packer Nikki for allowing us to carry only daypacks for the week by carrying all of our tools and camp gear the 7.5 miles into and out of our Running Creek camp.- Gregg Rettschlag, ITA Crew Leader