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Wilderness groups rally volunteers for projects

A U.S. Forest Service pack string heads up the trail to Star Peak in the Kootenai National Forest loaded with materials to restore a fire lookout. In the lead is packer Cindy Betlach based in Troy, Mont., followed by mules from the Northern region mule string based at the Historic Ninemile Ranger Station northwest of Missoula. In the background is Billiard Table Peak and some of the area northeast of Lake Pend Oreille and along the Idaho-Montana border proposed as the Scotchman Peaks Wilderness. (Rich Landers)
By Rich Landers richl@spokesman.com(509) 459-5508

TRAILS – Two friends groups are making it easy for volunteers to help improve access or restore habitat in three of the Inland Northwest’s choice backcountry areas.

Friends of the proposed Scotchman Peaks Wilderness have a full schedule ranging from guided hikes to trail building northeast of Lake Pend Oreille.

The Selway-Bitterroot Frank Church Foundation works to connect people with wilderness through stewardship activities, including a long list of volunteer projects ranging from controlling weeds to hosting fire lookout.

* This story was originally published as a post from the blog "Outdoors Blog." Read all stories from this blog