This trip is open to BIPOC community members and intersectional identities only. 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!

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

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.

This trip is open to BIPOC community members only. GBCA is excited to offer this trip in partnership with Here Montana. Whether or not you’ve been on a trip with us and you’re looking for something more challenging than what we’ve offered in the past, this is the trip for you! This trip is aimed at people who have experience with longer hikes or backpacking. We will be completing campsite inventories and restoration work at Siamese Lakes. During our adventure, the group will also have the opportunity to learn more about the Great Burn, why protecting these places is important, and local flora and fauna. Let’s get out and 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 June 30, 2025. Registration fee is waived for this trip.

Siamese Lakes are popular lakes that lie within the Great Burn recommended wilderness along the Montana/Idaho border. The group will learn how to conduct backcountry campsite inventories, clean up around the lakes, do some wildlife surveys, and help pull weeds.

Trailhead: Clearwater Crossing #101, Ninemile RD, Lolo NF

Closest Town: Alberton, MT

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

difficulty

Hiking

Strenuous. The hike in will be quite long with a decent amount of elevation gain. There will be several opportunities for breaks, and we anticipate allotting a majority of the day to the hike. Luckily, this means the hike out will be mostly downhill!

Work

Moderate. Work will include completing campsite inventories, cleaning up trash, conducting wildlife surveys, and pulling weeds. Hand tools may include: shovels, weed pullers, loppers, and hand saws.

itinerary

Day 1 | With the option of carpooling from Missoula, we will meet at the Clearwater Crossing trailhead the evening of 8/29 around 1700MST. We will do an “Unpack the Pack” and gear check around the campfire with dinner and s’mores!

Day 2 | We will start our hike early in the morning to try to beat the heat. We will take West Fork Fish Creek #101 to Siamese Lakes #114. It’ll be long mileage, but a good trail. We will camp at Lower Siamese Lake. 11.5 mi. Elevation gain: 2,800ft. Elevation loss: 300ft.

Day 3 | We will complete campsite impact inventories at Lower and Upper Siamese Lakes. This will involve a trash cleanup as well as reducing fire rings and social trails. There will be time to swim or fish at Upper Siamese Lake. Camp at Lower Siamese Lake. 0.5 mi.

Day 4 | We will finish up any work that’s needed in the morning and pack up camp to head out. We will hike back to the trailhead with hopes to arrive in the early afternoon. 11.5 mi. Elevation gain: 300ft. Elevation loss: 2,800ft.

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.