In partnership with the Idaho Trails Association, WRTC and youth volunteers (ages 14-18) will spend a weekend cleaning the trail up to Mill Lake high in the Smoky Mountains outside Ketchum.  At the end of the day, we’ll return to our camp at the trailhead where an ITA volunteer cook will help prepare a delicious dinner! 

With guidance from crew leaders, volunteers will be involved in all aspects of camp life. This includes helping set out breakfast and lunch items, assisting the cook with dinner and dishes, ensuring water and sanitation supplies are available, and ensuring tools are accounted for.  

Volunteers are expected to adhere to leave no trace best practices, and project safety expectations set by crew leaders.  

Trail: Mill Lake #136 

Itinerary: Volunteers will join for a pre-trip zoom meeting before the project. Meet Saturday morning (all are welcome to camp Friday night!), go over trail and project safety, work a full day.  Return to trailhead in the afternoon, car camping there. Sunday trail work until the afternoon, parents pick up at the trailhead.  

Crew Leaders: Mark Sugden and Terry Patterson 

More Information:  ITA

Estimated Drive Time from Closest Town: 30 minutes from Ketchum   

Difficulty Ratings

Hike: 2/5 Moderate
Two-mile hike to the lake with a steady elevation gain, carrying packs and tools. 

Project Work: 3/5 Moderately Strenuous
Focus on tree removal and basic trail maintenance. Digging, swinging tools, saw work and brushing.