The Lolo National Forest and the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest will be jointly hosting a volunteer workday on the old Lee Creek Trail that runs between Lolo Pass and the Lee Creek Picnic Area just off Highway 12 about five miles west of Lolo Hot Springs. This non-motorized section of trail is one that many trail users have requested the Forest Service clear of downfall and brush out as well as post signs for winter cross country skiing and snowshoeing use. In response to these requests, the Lolo and Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests are seeking volunteers to help with this trail clearing project on Saturday, September 29, 2018.
Volunteers can just show up on the morning of the project but it would be greatly appreciated if you do volunteer to use the Discover Your Northwest--Lolo Pass Visitor Center’s Facebook site Event Page (https://www.facebook.com/Discover-Your-Northwest-Lolo-Pass-Visitor-Center-278605048836443/?ref=page_internal) to let the volunteer project coordinator, Buffie Cerutti, know if you are planning to attend so the Forest Service can plan on how many volunteers to expect.
The Forest Service will provide hand tools, and handle any chainsaw work. Volunteers will need to wear sturdy boots and bring gloves, eye protection (prescription glasses or sunglasses will work), water and lunch. Everyone will meet in the main Lee Creek Picnic Area parking lot (below the Lee Creek Campground) at 9:00 a.m. Mountain Time. Volunteers will then split up and work the trail from both ends—one group working north from the Lee Creek Picnic Area towards the trail’s end at Packer Meadow near the Lolo Pass Visitor’s Center and the second group working south from Packer Meadow back towards the picnic area.
The Forest Service will help volunteers working from the Lolo Pass side to shuttle and/or carpool from the picnic area up Highway 12 to the parking area at the Lolo Pass Visitor Center and to the start of the trail at Packer Meadow a few miles away. The Forest Service will gladly welcome any amount of volunteer time, and volunteers do not have to commit to a full day. The estimated time of the trail clearing project is from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Mountain Time.
The project will go forward unless some major weather changes make it too difficult. The Forest will use the Lolo Pass Visitor Center’s Facebook page to share any updates or changes so volunteers should check in with the Facebook page a day or two before September 29. Minors are welcome as long as there is a supervising adult accompanying them.
If you are interested in volunteering and have other questions, please contact the project coordinator, Buffie Cerutti, at the Lolo Pass Visitor Center at bcerutti@fs.fed.us or (208) 942-3113. (Please note that the Lolo Pass Visitor Center is on Pacific Time if you call).