ITA seeks volunteers for trail project

The Idaho Trails Association is looking for volunteers to work on the Coeur d’Alene River National Recreation Trail on Sept. 11- 12. The project is in a very beautiful and remote part of the Coeur d'Alene Ranger District of the Idaho Panhandle National Forest.

The Coeur d’Alene River Trail goes up a scenic and wild valley and stays close to the river the whole way. This is a great trail that really needs our help.

The project will start Saturday morning, Sept. 11 from a car camp on the upper river crossing and end Sunday afternoon at 4 p.m.. Idaho Trail Association member Tom Dabrowski said volunteers will be staying in a nice primitive camp with places to pitch tents and park vehicles. The camping area is flat, with timber and big open areas. While the road is not suitable for motor homes or 5th wheel trailers, it is accessible for passenger cars.

Dabrowski said the camp will be right on the upper Coeur d'Alene River, so we'll have lots of water but it will need to be treated.

“The best news — there are nice swimming holes right at the camp,” he said. “ Bring your swimming suit — it is really great to clean off and cool down at the end of work each day.”

Coeur d'Alene Trail No. 20 has some minor ups and downs but no major elevation change. The walking is easy. The total distance from the camp to where crews will be working is less than 2 miles. Once at the work site, Dabrowski said volunteers will be cutting out downed trees using crosscut saws, trim back brush growing over the trail, and do some tread work. ITA will provide all tools and hard hats .

Please help keep this and other Idaho hiking trails open for all. To sign up, go to www.idahotrailsassociation.org and click on “volunteer.”