Trailhead: Stateline #738 at Hoodoo Pass

Miles to Camp: 4

Help Ranger Joelle clean up and get prepared for the 2025 season. GBCA is joining with Women Who Explore for the second year on this trip. 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!

**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 to Moderate: We will be cleaning up campsites and reconstructing some damaged fire rings.

Itinerary

Day 1 | We will meet at the Heart Lake #171 trailhead at 0900 and shuttle to the Stateline trailhead. We will hike in to Heart Lake, set up camp, and begin our cleanup.

Day 2 | After breakfast and tea, we will finish any work that needs to be done. Hiking out and being to the trailhead around lunch.

This trip is currently at capacity. Sign up for the waitlist here.

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 hayley@greatburn.org.

Trailhead: Kelly Creek #567

Miles to Camp: 11

Our backcountry restoration crew has been working in the Kelly Creek area for over a decade, and we need your help to figure out if our treatment efforts are effective. Autumn is a beautiful time to visit Kelly Creek - one of the most wild and remote areas of the Great Burn recommended wilderness. The area is home to blue-ribbon trout streams and abundant wildlife, and our restoration work directly improves the wild character of the area.

To help target treatment, GBCA utilizes Line-Point-Intercept monitoring. Volunteers will assist our Restoration Program Director, Chris, in completing two blocks of transects located in Hanson Meadows. This will provide great plant ID practice!

**All volunteer trips are subject to change due to ever-changing fire activity.

Difficulty

Hiking

Moderate to Strenuous: The hike is about 11 miles, however, it is mostly creek gradient, so not too much elevation gain. This trail can get hot on warm days however, as there are many open side slopes.

Work

Moderate: Monitoring is a long process, and each block will take 3-5 hours to complete.

Itinerary

Day 1 | Volunteers will carpool to Kelly Creek Trailhead and hike to Hanson Meadows via trail 567. Set up basecamp and relax!

Day 2 | Both monitoring plots are located in Hanson Meadows near our camp, so we’ll work on the plots today. There will also be time to explore the area or fish Kelly Creek (make sure you have an ID fishing license)!

Day 3 | Break down camp and hike out via trail 567. Return to Missoula.

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 hayley@greatburn.org

Trailhead: Clearwater Crossing, West Fork Fish Creek #101

Miles to Camp: 3

The Rocky Mountaineers started work on this trail back in 2022 and have made some impressive progress since! We are lucky to have such a hardworking group so passionate about maintaining the trails. Trail 510 is overgrown and anything but clear, but this year we are hoping to break through to the other side with help from the Ninemile trail crew and MCC crews. Once clear, this trail will provide a short but steep section up to Cedar Peak, and a long open ridge walk to Chilcoot Pass, ending at Siamese Lakes. It will be another great loop option from Clearwater Crossing!

** All volunteer trips are subject to change due to ever-changing fire activity.

Difficulty

Hiking

Moderate: The hike in to our camp on West Fork Fish Creek #101 is only 3 miles at creek gradient. Our work on #510 however is much steeper and more strenuous. Be prepared for elevation gain at the beginning of the work days, but this just means an easy hike back to camp at the end of the day!

Work

Strenuous: Trail 510 is overgrown and needs a lot of work. Activities will include tread building, running brush cutters, swamping downed logs, and being in the sun all day.

Itinerary

Day 1 | Meet at the Clearwater Crossing trailhead at 0900 MST. Volunteers will hike to basecamp, eat lunch, pick up cached tools, and head to the worksite.

Day 2 | Work day! We’ll be cutting brush, redefining trail tread, and clearing fallen logs on trail 510.

Day 3 | Work day! We’ll be cutting brush, redefining trail tread, and clearing fallen logs on trail 510.

Day 4 | Volunteers will continue to make progress on the trail in the morning. After lunch, we’ll break camp and head back to the trailhead.

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 hayley@greatburn.org

Trailhead: Kelly Creek #567

Miles to Camp: 11

We are excited for another year of partnering with Idaho Trails Association on this week-long trail improvement in the Kelly Creek drainage. Volunteers will work alongside GBCA and ITA staff to clear a portion of the Idaho Centennial Trail that has been long overgrown (Hanson Ridge #428).

This is a fully supported trip and we’ll have pack stock to assist in bringing in group gear and food. Be prepared to carry your personal camping gear in with you.

**All volunteer trips are subject to change due to ever-changing fire activity.

Difficulty

Hiking

Strenuous: Basecamp is at Hanson Meadows, about 11 miles from the trailhead. The trail to here follows creek gradient, but is hot on the open side-slopes. The hike to the work site is about 3 miles from camp and the project trail is steep going up an open slope.

Work

Strenuous: Work will be focused primarily on brushing the trail. Volunteers will use hand tools and possibly power 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.

Trailhead: Smith Ridge #240

Miles to Camp: 7.5

GBCA is excited to collaborate with Clearwater Trekking on this trip into the Mallard Larkins Pioneer Area to Heart Lake. Volunteers will join Ranger Joelle on the first part of her patrol in this beautiful, rugged country. On the way to Heart Lake, the group will help resurvey some old camps with the USFS, chart weed populations, and enjoy the views. At Heart Lake, cleanup of the area and inventories of campsites will be conducted. Join us if the Mallard Larkins has been on your bucket list, or if you’ve never heard of the area before. You’re bound to have a good time while taking care of this wonderful piece of land.

**All volunteer trips are subject to change due to ever-changing fire activity.

DIFFICULTY

Hiking

Strenuous: This 7.5 mile hike will take us along Smith and Goat Ridge and drop us down into Heart Lake. Some sections are steep, while others give you relief with a view.

Work

Easy: Work for this trip demands more brain power than physical power. We will be conducting campsite and noxious weed inventories.

INTINERARY:

Day 1 | Meet at the Aquarius Campground at 0800 PST. Carpooling is an option up to the Smith Ridge Trailhead from here. We will hike in while doing campsite surveys and noxious weed inventories. We will camp as a group at Heart Lake.

Day 2 | After breakfast, the group will help with cleaning the Heart Lake area and finishing campsite surveys. Joelle will part with the group from here, and the volunteers and Clearwater Trekker will make their way back to the trailhead 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 hayley@greatburn.org

Trailhead: Hub/Hazel Lakes #280

Miles to Camp: 4

This trip is open to BIPOC community members only. GBCA is excited to offer this trip in partnership with Here Montana. This trip will be centered around getting to know the Great Burn mission area, why protecting places like the Great Burn is important, becoming comfortable in the backcountry, and getting out to experience a wild place that’s not too far from Missoula. We will be camping at a lake, so if you’re interested in fishing make sure to have your MT license!

Trip is limited to 8. Please submit your application by May 31, 2024. Registration fee is waived for this trip.

Hub, Hazel, and Mary Lakes are popular lakes that lie in the beautiful Ward Eagle inventoried roadless area along the Montana/Idaho border. We will access the lake’s basin via a short hike through pristine old growth forest. The group will learn how to conduct backcountry campsite inventories, clean up around the lakes, do some wildlife surveys, help pull weeds, and maybe even climb a peak or two. Those who want to fish can try their hand at Hub Lake.

**All volunteer trips are subject to change due to ever-changing fire activity.

Difficulty

Hiking

Moderate: The hike in to camp is a short 3 miles, however there is a 1,800 ft elevation gain. The optional hikes to Eagle/Ward Peaks and Mary Lake are considered strenuous due to elevation gain and off-trail travel.

Work

Easy: The group will learn about LNT principles, campsite inventories, and conduct wildlife surveys, and pull weeds.

Itinerary

Day 1 | Meet in Missoula at 0700. Carpool to trailhead. Hike in from the Ward Creek #262 trail to tie into the Hub/Hazel #280 trail. Camp at Hub Lake.

Day 2 | Exploratory day for the group! After breakfast we will take a day trip to Mary Lake to do campsite surveys. Hikes to Eagle Peak and Ward Peak summits are also a possibility which will include weed pulling along the way. Those who have a hankering to wet a line may do so at the lakes! Mary Lake: 0.5 mi, elevation gain 650ft; Eagle Peak: 1.2 mi, elevation gain 1500ft; Ward Peak: 2.5 mi, elevation gain 1500ft.

Day 3 | After breakfast, we will begin our journey back to the trailhead and possibly do another pika survey along the route. After lunch we will head back to Missoula.

Trailhead: Heart Lake #171

Miles to Camp: 3

Heart Lake is one of the most popular and accessible locations in the Great Burn recommended wilderness. Volunteers will be working along side the USFS Superior Trail Crew to build creek crossings along the trail. This is an exciting and unique project and volunteers may even get to watch some rigging.

**All volunteer trips are subject to change due to ever-changing fire activity.

Difficulty:

Hiking

Moderate: The hike to Heart Lake is 3 miles from the trailhead with 1,100 feet of elevation gain.

Work

Moderate: Work will entail building creek crossings along the trail. This could include swinging hand tools, lifting heavy loads, and having our feet in the water.

Itinerary:

Day 1 | Meet at Heart Lake Trailhead at 0900. Hike up to Heart Lake and set up camp. Meet with the USFS crew to get a plan for the trip.

Day 2 | Work on building creek crossings with the USFS trail crew.

Day 3 | Continue working on creek crossings with the trail crew.

Day 4 | Finish any work that needs to get done, pack up camp, and head out around 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 hayley@greatburn.org.

Trailhead: Bonanza Lakes #616

Miles to Camp: 2

An optional single-day or overnight trip, this gives plenty of people the chance to get out, no matter your schedule. We will be heading to Bonanza Lakes to install a noxious weed information sign at the trailhead and pulling our share of weeds along the route. Volunteers have the option to leave after pulling weeds, or to continue with GBCA to camp at the lake overnight.

**All volunteer trips are subject to change due to ever-changing fire activity.

DIFFICULTY

Hiking

Moderate: It is only two miles to camp, however it is moderately difficult with some steep sections.

Work

Moderate: Work will involve installing a sign, pulling some weeds during the hike, and being on your feet doing campsite inventories.

INTINERARY:

Day 1 | Meet at the trailhead at 0900. We will be installing a sign and pulling weeds along the trail. Day will end around 1600, or the option to camp overnight at the lake with GBCA.

Day 2 | After breakfast, we will conduct campsite inventories of the lakes. When finished, we will break camp and head out after lunch.

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 hayley@greatburn.org.

Trailhead: Weitas Creek #20

Miles to Camp: 8

We are excited to collaborate with Clearwater Trekking for this Idaho stewardship project. We hope to see some trekking veterans as well as some new faces amongst the group! Weitas Creek is one of the main drainages in the North Fork drainages and sees a variety of use including stock, dirt bikes, backpackers, and bicyclers. We will be heading in to the Weitas Guard Station to inventory noxious weeds in the meadow, and create weed polygons on the trail along the way. Volunteers have the unique opportunity to stay at the Guard Station bunkhouses overnight.

**All volunteer trips are subject to change due to ever-changing fire activity.

DIFFICULTY

Hiking

Moderate: The hike is 8 miles, but at creek gradient is not too strenuous. The trail is well used and in good condition.

Work

Moderate: Inventorying weeds and possibly hand-pulling requires being on your feet for extended periods.

INTINERARY:

Day 1 | Meet at the Weitas Creek Campground at 0900. Hike into the Guard Station while creating noxious weed polygons along the way. Camp at the station overnight.

Day 2 | Volunteers will inventory the meadows near the Guard Station for noxious weeds and have the opportunity to continue up the trail to the pack bridge. We will depart around lunch and the group will have the option of staying with the Clearwater Trekker or hiking out of the drainage.

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 hayley@greatburn.org

Trailhead: Jerry Johnson #38 (N of Highway 12, not the Hot Springs)

Come out and celebrate National Trails Day with us! We will be working on revamping the Jerry Johnson #38 trail (the one behind the campground, not the hot springs). This is an exciting project that also gives us the opportunity to stay the night at the campground that has been closed to the public for the last few seasons. Come out and get your hands dirty for the day, and stay the night if you so choose!

Difficulty

Hiking

Easy: We will be working on the trail right from the trailhead so there won’t be a large amount of hiking involved.

Work

Moderate: We will be doing trail work that involves swinging hand tools, digging tread, and possibly redoing drainages.

Itinerary

Day 1 | Meet at Jerry Johnson campground at 0900MST to start the day. The USFS will get us started on the project. We plan to work until 1600MST with the option of working longer.

Day 2 | Volunteers have the opportunity to stay the night at the Jerry Johnson Campground with the group. Day 2 will consist of packing up and getting the campground ready to open to the public.

There is no deposit for this event, however we ask you to register so we know how many people to expect and what tools to pack!