Experience one of the String of Pearls of the Great Burn Recommended Wilderness! This trip was added late due to a need from the Forest Service following staffing cuts. Can we count on you to step up to the plate? During the trip, we will be working on the steep, rutted trail that heads down to Dalton Lake. Hard work equals high reward as in the evenings, we will have plenty of opportunity to swim, fish, and observe pika and mountain goats.

Trailhead: Hoodoo Pass, Stateline #738, Superior RD, Lolo NF

Closest Town: Superior, MT

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

Difficulty

Hiking

Moderate to Strenuous. Although the hike to and from Dalton Lake is just over 5 miles, the elevation gain and loss is not something to overlook. However, during the project, there won’t be much hiking to/from the project site.

Work

Strenuous. Work will consist of digging new tread and possibly installing check steps and water bars. Hand tools may include Pulaskis, McLeods, pick mattocks, and shovels.

Itinerary

Day 1 | We’ll meet at the Hoodoo Pass trailhead at 0900 MST. Our hike to Dalton Lake will be via the Stateline #738. After lunch and camp set up we’ll brief about the project and goals for the weekend. 5.5 mi. Elevation gain: 1,700ft. Elevation loss: 1,400ft.

Day 2 | Trail work will begin after breakfast. We will be working up the trail from Dalton Lake. There will be time to enjoy the area and swim if desired.

Day 3 | We will continue where we left off the previous day, retreading and installing check steps and waterbars.

Day 4 | We will wrap up any work that needs finished, pack up camp, and say one last goodbye to the lake before heading back to the trailhead in early afternoon. 5.3 mi. Elevation gain: 1,400 ft. Elevation loss: 1,700ft.

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.

Trip is limited to 8. Please submit your application by May 31, 2025. Registration fee is waived for this trip.

GBCA is excited to offer this trip in partnership with Here Montana. This trip will be centered around cleanup of Great Burn’s most popular area while getting to know the Great Burn mission, 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 lakes, so if you’re interested in fishing make sure to have your MT license!

In addition the group will engage in outdoor leadership development. Participants will gain hands-on experience in teamwork, decision-making, and problem-solving in dynamic outdoor settings. They will develop key leadership skills such as communication, conflict resolution, and risk assessment while navigating real-world scenarios in the backcountry.

The program will focus on:

• Team Building & Team Awareness – Strengthening group cohesion through trust exercises, group discussions, and collaborative decision-making. Participants will learn to recognize and utilize individual strengths within a team to enhance overall effectiveness.

• Situational Leadership – Understanding different leadership styles and learning how to adapt based on group needs, environmental conditions, and available resources.

• Wilderness First Aid & Risk Management – Covering the basics of first aid, injury prevention, and emergency response to ensure safe and responsible backcountry travel.

• Stewardship – Encouraging responsible outdoor ethics, sustainable recreation practices, and environmental stewardship, reinforcing the role of outdoor leaders in preserving natural spaces.

• Personal Growth & Leadership Reflection – Encouraging participants to step outside their comfort zones, build resilience, and reflect on their leadership experiences to develop confidence and adaptability in outdoor and everyday settings.

This combination of hands-on service work and leadership training will provide participants with a well-rounded outdoor experience, equipping them with valuable skills they can carry forward in their outdoor adventures and beyond.

Dalton, Pearl, and Heart Lakes are popular lakes that lie within the Great Burn recommended wilderness area along the Montana/Idaho border. We will access the lakes from the Stateline trail. The group will learn how to conduct backcountry campsite inventories, clean up around the lakes, do some wildlife surveys, and help pull weeds. Those who want to fish or swim will have plenty of time to enjoy the water.

Trailhead: Hoodoo Pass, Stateline #738, Superior RD, Lolo NF

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

Difficulty

Hiking

Moderate to Strenuous. The mileage on day one if over 5 mile and includes a decent amount of elevation gain, however this trip is aimed towards beginner backpackers. There will be plenty of points to rest during the hike. After day one, it’s all downhill.

Work

Moderate. Work will include cleaning campsites of any trash as well as reducing fire rings and conducting wildlife surveys. Maintenance will be conducted on the pit toilets. Hand tools may include a shovel, drill, and a pick.

Itinerary

Day 1 | The group will meet at the Heart Lake trailhead at 0900 and carpool up to Hoodoo Pass to start the hike. After a safety briefing, we will hike in to Dalton Lake on the Stateline #738 trail. After arriving at Dalton, we will set up camp and have time to explore the area, complete a pika and goat survey, and swim. A campfire lesson will be given on the History of the Great Burn and map reading. 5.5 mi. Elevation gain: 1,700ft. Elevation loss: 1,400ft.

Day 2 | The group will reduce campsite impacts around the lake and pack out any trash. Following cleanup at Dalton Lake, we will pack up camp, hike to Pearl Lake, and repeat. We will finish the day by hiking down to Heart Lake to set up camp. A campfire lesson will be given on mountain goat safety, hygiene in the backcountry, and meal prep. 1.5 mi. Elevation gain: 400ft. Elevation loss: 900ft.

Day 3 | The morning will be spent cleaning campsites and reducing fire rings around Heart Lake. Maintenance will be completed on the pit toilets as needed. We will pack up camp and arrive to the trailhead around 1400. 3.0 miles, Elevation gain: 100ft. Elevation loss: 1,200ft.

Help Ranger Joelle clean up and get prepared for the 2026 season. GBCA is joining with Women Who Explore for the third 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!

Trailhead: Hoodoo Pass, Stateline #738, Superior RD, Lolo NF

Closest Town: Superior, MT

**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, reconstructing some damaged fire rings and performing any necessary pit toilet maintenance.

Itinerary

Day 1 | We will meet at the Heart Lake #171 trailhead at 0900 and shuttle to the Hoodoo Pass 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. We will pack up camp and hike out via the Heart Lake #171 trail with hopes of arriving 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 volunteer@greatburn.org.