FSPW hopes area is 'kept wild forever'

The past year has been big for everyone, and the Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness is no exception.

Situated along the Idaho-Montana border, the Scotchman Peaks are an 88,000-acre, roadless area currently being managed by the U.S. Forest Service. The FSPW have been on a mission since 2005 to make sure this area is “kept wild forever” and continue to work hard each year to make that dream a reality.

Through education, restoration and advocacy, the mostly volunteer staff are raising awareness throughout the community and the region about the benefits of designating the Scotchmans as a wilderness area.

“We had such a great year last year engaging our community and getting folks outside,” said Rose Olson, FSPW communication and engagement manager. “Nearly 200 hikers participated in our free, volunteer-led group hikes last summer and winter. We built, cleared and restored 52 miles of trails in the proposed Scotchman Peaks Wilderness.”

Additionally, Olson said the organization’s “trail ambassadors” talked to nearly 1,000 people at the trailhead of Scotchman Peak, a roughly eight-mile hike, about “Leave No Trace” ethics —  sustaining the environment by leaving it better than one found it —.and how to safely interact with the numerous mountain goats and other wild animals that call the proposed wilderness home.

FSPW also offered a Winter Tracks youth education program, where 40 volunteer staff spoke with over 300 elementary-age students about the outdoors, tree and wildlife identification, outdoor gear, leaving no trace, bear awareness and safety, how to start a fire, ice fishing, and rough shelter building.

In the past year, FSPW staff have been hard at work talking with both Idaho and Montana senators to create and introduce a bill proposing the creation of the wilderness area. While none were introduced this year, Olson said staff continue to hold on to hope that a future one is near.

“Through collaborative work with other stakeholders, we look forward in the coming years to a public lands bill that would include wilderness designation for the Scotchmans, amongst other places,” she said.

This year, FSPW is welcoming two new seasonal summer staff — a trail stewardship coordinator, Sara Morrow, and a backcountry ranger intern, Sami Wilfong. Morrow and Wilfong will assist with the organization’s summer trail programs, trail work projects, guided hikes and the ambassador program for Scotchman Peak.

The summer events schedule is looking full, so the pair will have plenty to keep them busy. On top of the events schedule, Olson said the summer guided hike series will be released shortly.

In addition to its regular summer activities, Olson said FSPW is introducing something new and exciting this year as well.

“Something we haven’t done in years past is offer any overnight or multi-day trail maintenance projects,” she said. “We have two on our schedule this year —  both in July — on Spar Peak and Star Gulch. Overnight trail projects allow us to accomplish much-needed trail maintenance on these sections of trail that are a little farther out. They should be fun.”

Olson said FSPW has many goals for the upcoming hiking season. Keeping trails open and accessible through trail maintenance projects, wildlife awareness efforts, free group hikes and providing maps to hikers are just a few plans staff have to continue their efforts this year.

“With ever-increasing traffic on the Scotchman Peak trail each summer, it’s important to educate other hikers about how to avoid wildlife conflicts and utilize Leave No Trace principles so our trails can remain open and enjoyable for all,” she said. “For even more sweat equity, coming out on a trail maintenance project is some of the most important trail stewardship you can do. Keeping trails open and accessible for everyone to enjoy is rewarding in a ‘Type 2 fun’ sort of way.”

An ongoing challenge FSPW is facing this year, and has faced in the past, is the limited number of active volunteers it has. With any volunteer-led organization, Olson said, maintaining a steady number of eager participants remains a difficult task.

“We would love to see some fresh faces join our ranks this summer on the trails,” she said. “We hope to see a strong showing of volunteers this season … whether for a trail maintenance day, or as a trail ambassador.”

Olson said everyone at FSPW wants to thank the organization’s loyal supporters and volunteers who have contributed time, talent and passion over the past year, without whom none of FSPW’s efforts would be achievable.

“Our wild lands give so much to our communities,” she concluded. “As our region continues to grow and trail use increases, we will continue bringing people together to give back to our beloved public lands.”

    Mountain goats are iconic members of the Scotchman Peaks ecosystem.