Volunteer Spotlight: Leslie Anderson
For the second year in a row, Leslie is leading ITA's first project of the year- the BSU Alternative Spring Break Project! We can only hope this year's group will be as lucky as last year's and see mountain goats. Even if not, the crew is fortunate to have an awesome leader like Leslie! Thank you for leading ITA projects and for all you do for Idaho's trails, Leslie! ... Read More
Trail Spotlight: Lochsa Peak
Our Trail Spotlight highlights day trips to multi-day hikes across Idaho. Trail conditions can change quickly- swollen rivers can become impassable, windstorms can knock trees down across trails, and snow can come earlier than expected. Please take these recommendations as a jumping off place and do additional research to understand current conditions and keep yourself safe if you choose to hike this trail. Physical guidebooks and maps are always good to ... Read More
Fit to Summit
Alexis Bennett is an Idaho native who enjoys big hikes and trails with her son and dog. Her street credit includes 20 years of running and weight training experience, including as a collegiate track athlete, finishing the Boise Trail Challenge on foot in 2023, and holding the women’s single-day Boise Grand Slam record. Trail season is right around the corner. And if you’re like almost every trail lover – ... Read More
The Work- Part 3
Part 3: The Work- By Melanie Vining, Executive Director. Click here to read Part 1 and Part 2. ITA works with public land managers across Idaho, but most of the time our land manager partner is the Forest Service. We work on nine National Forests in Idaho and in one area managed by a National Forest in Oregon (Hells Canyon National Recreation Area). For the purpose of this blog, ... Read More
The Nitty Gritty and Project Sign Up- Part 2
Part 2: The Nitty Gritty and Project Sign Up- By Melanie Vining, Executive Director. Click here to read part 1. Tune in for part 3 about working on trails coming soon! The first two weeks of February for ITA staff, especially our Trail Projects Director, is a bit like the last two weeks of tax season for an accountant. Sandwiched between finalizing project plans with land manager partners and ... Read More
Volunteer Spotlight: Ray Arguello
Navy vet Ray Arguello began volunteering in 2018 with ITA and last year became a crew leader. He is excited to be part of our growing Veterans Program and is leading our first weeklong Veterans project this year at Ditch Creek. He also enjoys working with young people and will co-lead a Youth Trail Crew Project this year as well. Thank you, Ray, for your enthusiasm for Wilderness and ... Read More
From Plan to Project to Report- Part 1
Part 1: Project Schedule- By Melanie Vining, Executive Director. Check back for part 2 and 3 about project signups and working on trails coming soon! We get questions regularly about how we choose projects each season, what trail work is and why we do it the way we do. These questions often lead to great conversations that range from the concrete to the philosophical. As we round the corner ... Read More
Trail Spotlight: Guffey Butte Summit
Our Trail Spotlight highlights day trips to multi-day hikes across Idaho. Trail conditions can change quickly- swollen rivers can become impassable, windstorms can knock trees down across trails, and snow can come earlier than expected. Please take these recommendations as a jumping off place and do additional research to understand current conditions and keep yourself safe if you choose to hike this trail. Physical guidebooks and maps are always good to ... Read More
Read our 2023 Annual Report!
ITA's 2023 Annual Report is here! We had an INCREDIBLE year for trails thanks to your support. Read highlights from the season and see some gorgeous photos of Idaho’s backcountry taken by our volunteers and staff. We’ve got updates about our Women in the Wild, Youth, and Veterans programs, trail work stats, where our money is coming from and going to, as well as reports about some of our ... Read More
Trail Spotlight: Buena Vista Trail Loop (AKA Idaho City Airport Loop)
Our Trail Spotlight highlights day trips to multi-day hikes across Idaho. Trail conditions can change quickly- swollen rivers can become impassable, windstorms can knock trees down across trails, and snow can come earlier than expected. Please take these recommendations as a jumping off place and do additional research to understand current conditions and keep yourself safe if you choose to hike this trail. Physical guidebooks and maps are always good to ... Read More