Selway Bitterroot Frank Church Foundation Celebrates Record-Breaking 2026 Trail Maintenance Season

The Selway Bitterroot Frank Church Foundation (SBFC) is
proud to share its 2026 season accomplishments in the Selway-Bitterroot
and Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness areas and surrounding
wildlands.
This season, SBFC employed 34 professional trail crew staff and welcomed
243 volunteers to help care for some of the most remote and rugged
landscapes in Idaho and Montana. Over the course of more than 80
backcountry work hitches, crews completed a record-breaking amount of
trail maintenance and wilderness stewardship.
Among the season’s accomplishments:

• 536.5 miles of trail maintained
• 17,057 trees removed from trails (94% with traditional tools, like
  crosscut saws)
• 188,393 feet of trail brushed to improve access and visibility
• 26,062 feet of trail retreaded to restore worn or damaged tread
• 825 existing drains maintained and 39 new drains constructed to
  improve water drainage and prevent erosion
• 9,825 cubic feet of rock work completed, including repairing
  washouts and aiding in erosion control
• 32 campsites inventoried and 29 campsites naturalized to reduce
  impacts on surrounding landscapes
• 150 pounds of trash removed from wilderness areas
  The vast majority of this work takes place deep in the backcountry, where
  crews spend extended periods living and working in the Wilderness. Hitches
  typically last eight days, with staff and volunteers hiking or packing in
  supplies (occasionally aided by stock animals) and tools to reach remote
  project locations.
  The Selway Bitterroot Frank Church Foundation opens pathways for all to discover and steward the
  Selway-Bitterroot and Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness areas and surrounding wildlands.
  Visit SBFC online at www.selwaybitterroot.org.
  SBFC also continued its rivers program in 2026, supporting stewardship and river operations along the Middle Fork and
  Main Salmon Rivers in the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness. River Checkers staffed Boundary Creek, Corn
  Creek, and Indian Creek, helping support river operations and visitors at these important access points. Two SBFC River
  Rangers also worked alongside U.S. Forest Service River Rangers to patrol the river corridors, support responsible river
  recreation, and help care for these iconic waterways.
  In addition to professional trail crews, river staff, and adult volunteers, 2026 marked the third year of SBFC’s Youth
  Wilderness Program. Fifty-eight teens, ages 12-18, joined SBFC for six-day wilderness expeditions in the SelwayBitterroot, Frank Church-River of No Return, and Gospel Hump Wilderness areas. These free expeditions introduce
  young people to wilderness stewardship, backcountry skills, leadership, and the value of protecting the wild places in
  their own backyards.
  Founded in 2006, SBFC is a nonprofit organization working in partnership with the United States Forest Service across six
  national forests in Idaho and Montana. The organization supports wilderness trail maintenance, river stewardship,
  volunteer projects, youth education, and opportunities for people to connect with and care for their public lands.
  SBFC trail crews primarily use traditional, human-powered tools, including crosscut saws, handsaws, axes, Pulaskis, and
  shovels. This hands-on approach helps maintain the character of designated Wilderness areas while keeping trails
  accessible for hikers, horseback riders, and other backcountry travelers.
  Learn more about SBFC’s work and opportunities to get involved at www.selwaybitterroot.org.
• Source for text and photos: Selway Bitterroot Frank Church Foundation