Wilderness
Stewards
Clearwater
National Forest
Volunteers
Area: ELK SUMMIT
(Big Sand Lake, Hidden Lake, Wind Lakes)
| Location
& Area Description:
Elk Summit Guard Station is located off of the Elk Summit Road, 1
mile east of the Powell Ranger Station and 20 miles south of Highway
12, approximately 2 hours drive from Missoula, MT. The gravel road
accessing this remote wilderness portal is rough, narrow and windy. Note: Administrative cabins within the wilderness are not available as rentals. They are maintained specifically to assist with the administration of management activities. |
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The Elk Summit area offers
both developed and dispersed camping opportunities for visitors. It serves
as a portal for the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, offering access to Big
Sand Lake, Hidden Lake and a northern access to the East Fork of Moose
Creek. Situated near Hoodoo Lake and equipped with stock facilities, Elk
Summit serves a large population of stock users, day hikers and overnight
visitors. Alpine meadows and abundant water in the area tend to draw a
return contingent of both campers and wildlife.
Services Provided to Hosts:
The Elk Summit Guard Station is available to Wilderness Stewards for housing,
although overnight field stays within the wilderness are encouraged. The
cabin is equipped with indoor water and plumbing, a propane operated kitchen
and wood heat, and may be used to store extra supplies. The Lochsa/Powell
Wilderness Program can provided limited camping gear upon request. Stewards
will receive a basic program orientation before departure for the field
and will have daily contact with District personnel via radio check-ins.
Stewards will need to bring their own tent, sleeping bag/bedding, camping
gear, backpack and food.
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Host Duties: Wilderness Stewards greet visitors to the Elk Summit area and provide information on local trails, campground facilities, wilderness and Forest regulations and Leave No Trace camping and stock containment techniques. Stewards will assist with monitoring visitor use both in the campground and at backcountry sites; spending a significant portion of their time patrolling the backcountry near Big Sand Lake, Hidden Lake, Diablo Lookout and Wind Lakes. In addition to these duties, when staying at Elk Summit, stewards may assist with cabin, campground and trail maintenance and noxious weed control. Stewards record and submit their observations to wilderness managers at the end of each hitch. |
Qualifications:
• Basic first aid certification
• Knowledge of Leave No Trace camping and stock containment practices
• Good communication skills and a willingness to interact with visitors
• Ability to backpack 6-10 miles for overnight outings
• Enthusiasm for Wilderness and an interest in learning and sharing information about the local flora and fauna.
• Comfortable working and camping alone in primitive backcountry settings
• Creative problem solving skills
District: Powell
Ranger District
District
Ranger: Joe Hudson
Contact Person: Katie Knotek, Powell Ranger Station, 192 Powell Rd, Lolo, MT 59847
Contact Telephone No: 208-942-0304
Contact E-Mail: kknotek@fs.fed.us
Position
Availability: July 1 through Labor Day
Minimum Commitment: 10 days:
scheduling negotiable
Preferred Commitment: 1-3
months
Other: Volunteers may be accompanied by a spouse or child. To avoid conflict with other pets, wildlife and visitors, volunteers are not allowed to bring dogs while serving under the volunteer agreement. Elk Summit Guard Station is used solely as an administrative cabin.
Area: FISH LAKE
| Location & Area Description: Fish Lake administrative cabin and airstrip are located in the Selway Bitterroot Wilderness, approximately 16 miles from Boulder Creek Trailhead, accessed from Wilderness Gateway Campground (milepost 122 along Hwy 12). The area can also be accessed from the Eagle Mountain and Mocus Trailheads along Hwy 12. Missoula, Montana and Kooskia, Idaho are the nearest communities, each approximately 2 hours from the trailhead. Missoula has the closest commercial airport. |
|
This scenic area serves as
a destination for wilderness visitors as well as an internal wilderness
portal for aircraft. While motorized equipment is generally not allowed
in designated wilderness areas, some airstrips that existed prior to wilderness
designation continue to be maintained as remote portals for visitors pursuing
wilderness–dependent activities.
Fish Lake airstrip lies 5,645’ above sea level, is 150’ wide
and 2,650’ long, with a grass runway surface. Because of terrain
limitations, planes must initiate landings from the east and takeoffs
in the reverse direction from the west.
Host Duties: Wilderness stewards
greet visitors to the Fish Lake area, aid visitors in appropriate campsite
selection, and provide information about the area and Leave No Trace techniques.
Stewards monitor flight landings at the airstrip and may perform campsite
restoration, trail, airstrip, and cabin maintenance as well as noxious
weed control. Stewards record and submit their observations to wilderness
managers at the end of each hitch.
Services Provided to Hosts:
Wilderness stewards hosting at Fish Lake may stay in the one room administrative
cabin that lies at the western end of the airstrip. The cabin is equipped
with a wood stove, propane burner, cooking utensils, cots and an outhouse.
Water is available from the adjacent creek. Depending upon the length
of stay, wilderness stewards may receive stock support to pack in their
gear.
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Stewards need to bring their
own sleeping bag, personal items, backpack and food. Stewards will receive
a basic program orientation before departure for the field and will have
daily contact with District personnel via radio check-ins. In most cases,
District personnel will accompany stewards into the site on their first
trip for an on-site orientation.
Qualifications:
- Basic first aid certification
- Knowledge of Leave No Trace
techniques
- Good communication skills
and a willingness to interact with visitors
- Ability to hike 10-16 miles
in a day with a 25-35 lb backpack
- Enthusiasm for Wilderness
and an interest in learning and sharing information about the local
flora and fauna.
- Comfortable in remote and
primitive backcountry settings
- Creative problem solving skills
District: Powell
Ranger District
Contact Persons: Katie Knotek, Powell Ranger Station, 192 Powell Rd, Lolo, MT 59847
Contact Telephone No:208-942-0304
Contact E-Mail: kknotek@fs.fed.us
Position Availability:July 1 through Oct 10
Minimum
Commitment: 1 month
(2, 10 day hitches)
Preferred Commitment: 1-3
months
Other: Stewards may be accompanied by a spouse or child. To avoid conflict with other pets, wildlife and visitors, stewards are not allowed to bring their dogs while serving under the volunteer agreement.
Area: SEVEN LAKES
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Location and Area Description: Seven Lakes is located in the Selway Bitterroot Wilderness, approximately 15 miles from the Boulder Creek Trailhead at Wilderness Gateway Campground (milepost 122 on Hwy 12). While sub-alpine lakes and panoramic views make Seven Lakes an attractive backcountry destination, the elevation and short growing season also make the area fragile. In 1992, the Forest Service initiated a restoration effort to reduce the number of impacted sites and restore vegetation to barren areas. Sharing the Leave No Trace message and monitoring the effectiveness of the restoration efforts continues today. Seven Lakes is located in the Selway Bitterroot Wilderness, approximately 13 miles from the Boulder Creek Trailhead at Wilderness Gateway Campground. |
Services Provided to Hosts: Limited camping equipment can be provided by the Lochsa/Powell Wilderness Program. Stewards will receive a basic program orientation before departure for the field and will have daily contact with District personnel via radio check-ins. Stewards will need to bring their own sleeping bag, tent, backpack, camping supplies and food.
Host Duties: Wilderness Stewards greet visitors to Seven Lakes and explain the Special Regulations in effect for this area. Stewards aid visitors, especially those with stock, in appropriate campsite selection and practicing Leave No Trace techniques. Stewards may also perform campsite restoration, trail and sign maintenance and noxious weed control along the 4 trails accessing the restoration area. Stewards record and submit their observations to wilderness managers at the end of each hitch.
Qualifications:
- Basic first aid certification
- Knowledge of Leave No Trace
camping practices
- Good communication skills
and a willingness to interact with visitors
- Ability to hike 6-10 miles
in a day with a 9 day supply of food and camping gear
- Enthusiasm for Wilderness
and an interest in learning and sharing information about the local
flora and fauna.
- Comfortable working and
camping alone in remote and primitive backcountry settings
- Creative problem solving
skills
District:
District Ranger: Craig Truelock
Contact Persons: Katie Knotek, Powell Ranger Station, 192 Powell Rd, Lolo, MT 59847
Contact Telephone No: 208-942-0304
Contact E-Mail: kknotek@fs.fed.us
Position
Availability: July 1 through Labor Day
Minimum Commitment: 1 month
(2,10 days hitches) scheduling negotiable
Preferred Commitment: 1-3
months
Other: Stewards may be accompanied by a spouse or child. To avoid conflict with other pets, wildlife and visitors, volunteers are not allowed to bring dogs while serving under the volunteer agreement.
Area:
STANLEY HOT SPRINGS
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Location & Area Description: Stanley Hot Springs is located in the Selway Bitterroot Wilderness, approximately 6 miles from the Boulder Creek Trailhead at Wilderness Gateway Campground (Milepost 122 on Hwy 12) The springs are composed of a series of cascading pools in a small opening alongside Huckleberry Creek, amidst a forest of Cedar and Douglas fir. A well publicized natural feature, visitors frequent the pools year-round, even during spring runoff when the Boulder Creek ford can be intimidating. Because moose also find the hot springs inviting, we ask visitors to give moose first choice of the pools and to control pets when visiting the springs. |
Services Provided to Hosts: Limited camping equipment can be provided by the Lochsa/Powell Wilderness Program. Stewards will receive a basic program orientation before departure for the field and will have daily contact with District personnel via radio check-ins. Stewards will need to bring their own sleeping bag, tent, backpack, camping supplies and food.
Host Duties: Wilderness Stewards greet visitors to Seven Lakes and explain the Special Regulations in effect for this area. Stewards aid visitors, especially those with stock, in appropriate campsite selection and practicing Leave No Trace techniques. Stewards may also perform campsite restoration, trail and sign maintenance and noxious weed control along the 4 trails accessing the restoration area. Stewards record and submit their observations to wilderness managers at the end of each hitch.
Qualifications:
- Basic first aid certification
- Knowledge of Leave No Trace
camping practices
- Good communication skills
and a willingness to interact with visitors
- Ability to hike 6-10 miles
in a day with a 9 day supply of food and camping gear
- Enthusiasm for Wilderness
and an interest in learning and sharing information about the local
flora and fauna.
- Comfortable working and
camping alone in remote and primitive backcountry settings
- Creative problem solving skills
District: Lochsa Ranger District
District
Ranger: Craig Truelock
Contact Persons: Katie Knotek, Powell Ranger Station, 192 Powell Rd, Lolo, MT 59847
Contact Telephone No: 208-942-0304
Contact E-Mail: kknotek@fs.fed.us
Position
Availability: July 1 through Labor Day
Minimum Commitment: 1 month
(2,10 days hitches) scheduling negotiable
Preferred Commitment: 1-3
months
Other: Stewards may be accompanied by a spouse or child. To avoid conflict with other pets, wildlife and visitors, volunteers are not allowed to bring dogs while serving under the volunteer agreement.
Area: CRAGS
Directions: The Crags area is located in the Selway Bitterroot Wilderness, approximately 8 miles from the Fog Mountain Trailhead, located off the Selway River Road. Access to this area is difficult amidst steep and rocky terrain.
Services Provided to Hosts: Limited camping equipment can be provided by the Lochsa/Powell Wilderness Program. Stewards will receive a basic program orientation before departure for the field and will have daily contact with District personnel via radio check-ins. Stewards will need to bring their own sleeping bag, tent, backpack, camping supplies and food.
Host Duties: Stewards greet visitors to the Crags, aid them in selecting appropriate campsites and share information on Leave No Trace techniques. Stewards may also assist with campsite restoration , trail maintenance, and noxious weed control. Stewards record and submit their observations to wilderness managers at the end of each hitch.
Qualifications:
- Basic first aid certification
- Knowledge of Leave No Trace
camping practices
- Good communication skills
and a willingness to interact with visitors
- Ability to hike 6-10 miles
in a day with a 9 day supply of food and camping gear
- Enthusiasm for Wilderness
and an interest in learning and sharing information about the local
flora and fauna.
- Comfortable working and
camping alone in remote and primitive backcountry settings
- Creative problem solving skills
District: Lochsa Ranger District
District
Ranger: Craig Truelock
Contact Persons: Katie Knotek, Powell Ranger Station, 192 Powell Rd, Lolo, MT 59847
Contact Telephone No: 208-942-0304
Contact E-Mail: kknotek@fs.fed.us
Position
Availability: July 1 through Labor Day
Minimum Commitment: 1 month
(2,10 days hitches) scheduling negotiable
Preferred Commitment: 1-3
months
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