Wilderness foundation seeking volunteers for summer projects
The Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation is getting ready for another adventure-packed season in the Bob, with more than 60 projects heading into the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex between June and September - the group’s most planned trips in a season ever.
Under the leadership of new Executive Director Clifford Kipp, the foundation’s six crew leaders are looking for volunteers to help with this summer’s projects.
The foundation provides all group food, a kitchen and group camp supplies, plus pack support to lighten the load for the hike in.
Volunteers can come with their own personal gear, or borrow from the foundation’s gear library. All that is required is a willingness to roll up your sleeves and give back to the Wilderness. No backcountry or trail work experience needed – just an open mind for adventure and a love for wild places.
Here are some of this summer’s highlight trips that are still needing volunteers:
July 7th-13th: BMWF #12 Nesbit Trail
On this trip we are trying to make the “Olney Creek Trail #117 Connection”. With crosscut and handsaws in hand, your crew will work to connect Nesbit and Olney Creek trails together. Expect heavy saw work and lots of lifting, with a well earned day off mid week to explore or relax.
July 10th-15th: Women’s Trip to Pretty Prairie
We’ve gotten many requests to host a women’s only trip as a chance for women to bond and learn new skills in the Wilderness. This year, the stars aligned for us to do just that. After sorting gear and supplies for the packer and shouldering your backpack, you will hike the 7 miles into camp. Basecamp will be near the historic Pretty Prairie Forest Service Cabin. This trip will assist with identifying and pulling invasive weeds as well as some campsite monitoring and rehabilitation.
August 9th-17th: BMWF #19 Big Prairie
This trip is not for the faint hearted, with nearly 30 miles of hiking over two days to reach your basecamp in the meadows of Big Prairie. With your basecamp along the South Fork of the Flathead River, your crew will be using crosscut and handsaws to clear the Lime Creek trail. Be prepared for long hikes to and from the work site as you clear further away from your home. A day off midweek offers options for hiking, fishing, relaxing, or visiting the historic Big Prairie Ranger Station – one of the most remote workstations in the lower 48.
August 23rd-29th: BMWF #26 Indian Creek
The Indian Creek trail is a popular connector between the east and west sides of the Bob. The heavy use it sees means it is in need of some TLC. Help make this important trail more easily traveled through removing rocks and roots, and reestablishing tread on the lower part of the trail. Enjoy a day off to hike to White River Pass, which affords spectacular views of the Flathead Alps and Chinese Wall.
September 1st-6th: BMWF #29 Bugle Mountain
Bugle Mountain Trail climbs over 2,000 feet from the East Fork Blackfoot river to the summit. This trail is in need of some deferred maintenance including brushing out young lodgepole and bringing the trail corridor back. After meeting your crew leader in Lincoln the evening before hiking in, your crew will camp out near the trailhead to prepare for your 12-mile hike the next day. Enjoy a day off mid trip to explore while you help bring this trail back to life.
September 4th-9th: BMWF #31 Falls Creek
This trail is in need of some rocking and root work. With picks and pulaskis in hand, your help is needed to make it more easily traveled for both stock and foot traffic. Some tread work will also be involved . Enjoy a day off mid trip to explore the surrounding trails and peaks.
September 6th-10th: BMWF #32 Olney Creek
With crosscuts and handsaws, you and your crew will be clearing Olney Creek of downed trees. There will be lots of sawing and lifting trees out of the trail for this project. The cool waters of the North Fork of the Teton River will be just the ticket after a satisfying day of clearing.
For more information or to volunteer, visit www.bmwf.org/2023projects