MT-3757
August 11–21, 2008 (including weekend)
Must commit to full session
We would like to invite you to spend some time in the very scenic and remote Bob Marshall Wilderness to help us learn more about the cultural resources of the Flathead National Forest. We will be conduct intensive archaeological surveys to locate and record prehistoric and historic cultural sites in the Murphy Flats/White River area. There has been some limited work done in the area, but just enough to make us think there may be more! Recorded sites include cambium-peeled ponderosa pine trees, prehistoric lithic scatters, and historic Forest Service and outfitter sites. We will work out of a base camp and cover as much ground as possible within a reasonable walking distance each day.
This is also a great opportunity to see how the Forest Service worked in days past. The sights and sounds of the 21st century will be replaced by those more common in the 19th. Mule strings and packers still supply everything needed by trail crews operating in the Wilderness. There is no electricity and no cell service. We do however, have the longest remaining hand-crank ground-return phone line in the United States running right through the project area. So if you think you can live without reality TV for a couple of weeks and wouldn’t mind some of the finest cutthroat trout fishing in the country, we would love to have you along.
It is a 27 mile hike to camp and will take 2-days to walk in. We will overnight at Blackbear Cabin. The trail is well maintained with very little elevation change. Along the way, we will ford several small streams and the South Fork of the Flathead River. Personal gear will be packed-in on mules so you will need to keep your gear weight under 45 pounds. The fishing in the area is world-class, so bring fishing gear!
Number of openings: 8
Special skills: Must enjoy primitive wilderness camping and be able to hike 2-days to base camp; archaeological survey experience helpful but not required
Minimum age: 18 years old
Facilities: Camp will be at Murphy Flats, between Salmon Forks and Big Prairie; The FS will provide 1-2 wall-tents for 4–6 persons, volunteers wishing for more privacy will need to bring their own tent; FS will provide food; airport in Kalispell; Transportation from the airport to the trailhead provided.
Nearest towns: Hungry Horse, 65 miles; Kalispell, 80 miles; Whitefish, 80 miles
Applications due: June 9, 2008
MT-3745
June 9–13 and 16–20, 2008
Must commit to full session; may participate in both
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Spend a week at the historic Wurtz Homestead in the beautiful North Fork of the Flathead River of northwest Montana, just across the river from Glacier National Park!
Frank and Ella Wurtz established their homestead in 1913. It was one of the first homesteads in the North Fork and is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 2005 and 2006, PIT volunteers helped restore the main 1932 residence, which allowed the Forest Service to include it in the Recreation Cabin Rental program and make it available to the public for overnight stays. Situated in one of the most remote and scenic areas of the national forest system and with great views of the Lewis Range in Glacier National Park, the residence is already proving itself to be a very popular cabin rental.
Chipmunk Cabin is the second of three cabins the Wurz’s built on their homestead. This year we are planning two sessions to restore the Chipmunk Cabin so that it may join the main residence as additional Recreational Cabin Rental space. With the addition of the Chipmunk Cabin, the site will be ideal for large groups like weddings and family reunions.
The Chipmunk Cabin has a unique roof built with split logs, beargrass insulation, dimensional sheeting, and metal roofing. We will remove this roof, make some small changes, and replace it with the original materials. There will also be sill log replacements, chinking and daubing, and some roof repair on the main 1932 cabin.
The site is located approximately 50 miles from Columbia Falls on a so-so gravel road, 13 miles from the small community of Polebridge and the locally famous Polebridge Mercantile and Northern Lights saloon.
Number of openings: 6
Special skills: Carpentry skills or experience renovating log structures helpful but not required
Minimum age: 18 years old
Facilities: The main 1932 residence sleeps 12, kitchen but no showers; tent-camping on homestead lawn, vault toilet; self-contained RVs must be able to navigate rough roads, no hookups, dump station 50 miles; volunteers responsible for personal camping gear. The FS will provide food for group cooking in the 1932 cabin kitchen. Bring solar showers if you have them, otherwise, the North Fork is nearby!
Nearest towns: Columbia Falls, 50 miles; Polebridge, 12 miles; Kalispell, 65 miles
Applications due: April 7, 2008
MT-3732
August 17–23, 2008 (Sunday through Saturday)
Must commit to full session
Built in 1898 near Gardiner and Yellowstone National Park, the OTO Dude Ranch was the first dude ranch in Montana. The well-preserved ranch was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on October 12, 2004 and is nationally significant for its historic association with the dude ranch industry and with "Dick" Randall, "the Father of Montana Dude Ranching." Ranch architecture and rustic decor were a deliberate attempt to create a “western style” to capture the imagination of eastern dudes and other guests.
“The OTO” provides an interesting look at the past growth of tourism and outfitting in this area. The lodge, cabins, and surrounding area is a standing monument to the lifestyles and characters of the early 1900s. Volunteers will assist with a variety of projects ranging from maintenance (chinking, painting, etc) to construction (log replacement, etc). Task assignment will vary depending upon volunteer interests and abilities.
OTO Dude Ranch is remote, but accessible by vehicle.
Number of openings: 10
Special skills: Must be able to participate in moderate to arduous levels of physical outdoor activity and be able to lift or carry equipment; carpentry or historic restoration skills helpful but not required
Minimum age: 13 years old; under 18 with a responsible adult
Facilities: Cabins on-site for most volunteers; tent and self-contained RV camp sites also available; showers and outhouses; meals on-site for a fee; participants responsible for personal camping equipment and sleeping bags; some group tents available
Nearest towns: Gardiner, 10 miles; Livingston, 40 miles; Bozeman, 80 miles
Applications due: June 15, 2008
MT-3750
August 18–22; 25–29, 2008
Must commit to 1 full session, may participate in both
Meadow Peak Lookout is situated in the majestic Salish Range of the Northern Rockies, with a commanding view of numerous crystal blue glacial lakes. An incredible variety of wildlife, including whitetail and mule deer, wolverine, mountain lion, bighorn sheep, mountain goat, wolf, bald eagle, and osprey, live in this area. The lookout was constructed in 1957 as an L4 hip-roofed cabin on a 10 foot high tower. The Forest Service Northern Region Historic Preservation Team will work with volunteers to repair and restore windows, shutters, floor, catwalk, rail, and the tower. The restoration will allow the Forest Service to include Meadow Peak Lookout in the popular Recreation Cabin Rental Program. Rental fees will help the Forest Service maintain the lookout into the future. Join us for this restoration adventure!
Number of openings: 6
Special skills: Carpentry skills helpful but not required
Minimum age: 18 years old
Facilities: The road requires a high-clearance vehicle; camping on-site, outhouse, solar shower, public pay shower 20 miles; volunteers responsible for tent and personal camping equipment; FS will provide food and volunteers will share cooking and camp chores
Nearest towns: Kalispell, 40 miles; Libby, 50 miles
Applications due: June 16, 2008
MT-3704
June 22–28, 2008 (including weekends)
Must commit to full session
Volunteers will assist with archaeological excavations at the 1870s gold mining town of Louisville, Montana, where archaeologists have documented the only known archeological remnants of the first large scale entrance of Chinese workers into western Montana. During this summer’s excavations, we will attempt to uncover more information on the forgotten histories of the Chinese in the area. Chinese ovens and a possible campsite are some of the features we will excavate. PIT volunteers will learn professional archeological techniques from Dr. Kelly Dixon, an assistant professor of historical archeology at the University of Montana and her field director PhD candidate, Christopher Merritt. C. Milo McLeod, Forest Archeologist for the Lolo National Forest will serve as the base camp manager for the project.
Number of openings: 6
Special skills: Must be in good physical condition, able to hike 1 mile per day over steep terrain, and able to sit/stand for prolonged periods of time; archaeological excavation, mapping and recording skills helpful, but not required
Minimum age: 18 years old
Facilities: Volunteers will stay in a primitive camp site near the project area; an experienced cook will provide all meals, volunteers will help with dishes and camp chores; volunteers must provide their own tent, sleeping bag, and other camping supplies including a plate, cup, bowl, and flatware.
Nearest towns: Superior, 13 miles; Missoula, 70 miles
Applications due: April 20, 2008
MT-3705
May 11–16; May 18–23, 2008 (including Sunday)
Must commit to 1 full session; may participate in both
PIT volunteers and historic preservation specialists have been working on the Morgan Case Homestead for nearly 10 years. This year, we need your help to complete the rehabilitation of this unique historic property. With your help, we will put a metal roof on the wood shed, install siding, touch up the painting, and landscape the facility. Please join us to see Morgan Case Homestead become a turn-key operation! Meet interesting people, eat great food, and work in beautiful setting while you watch moose and big horn sheep on the hillside above you!
Number of openings: 10 per session
Special skills: Carpentry, painting, and landscaping skills helpful, but not required
Minimum age: 18 years old
Facilities: PIT volunteers will camp adjacent to the Hogback Homestead approximately 1 mile from the Morgan Case Homestead job site; volunteer responsible for own camping gear; a cook will provide all meals during the session, volunteers will help with dishes and camp chores; solar showers and hot wash water will be available; limited occupancy available in the Hogback Homestead for volunteers who travel to the project by air and cannot bring camping gear..
Nearest towns: Phillipsburg, 40 miles
Applications due: March 9, 2008
MT-3726
July 13-18, 2008 (including Sunday afternoon)
Must commit to full session
Savenac Nursery was established as a tree nursery 101 years ago on an abandoned homestead near St. Regis, Montana. Over the next 60 years, the nursery was destroyed by the Great Fire of 1910, rebuilt twice, and became the largest tree nursery in the Pacific Northwest. Although Savenac was closed in 1969, and its operations were moved to the newer Coeur d’Alene Nursery, 10 buildings (built by the CCC), landscaped grounds, and an arboretum of exotic trees still remain. In 1999, Savenac was formally listed in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP).
2008 marks the one hundredth and first anniversary of Savenac, and the Nursery’s thirteenth annual PIT project. We will continue to develop the interpretive trail system up in the Spruce Beds, construct lodgepole pine bed frames and lamps, and maintain the grounds where needed, pruning trees, shrubs, and plants. A building maintenance crew will repair any damage caused by the winter snow load. As most of our volunteers know, many other projects will occur throughout the week. Tina Benitez, one of the many returning volunteers at Savenac, is wrapping up her book on the history of Savenac. At the end of the week on Friday, July 18th, PIT volunteers will be guests at the annual Savenac Old Timer’s Day. This gathering attracts former nursery employees, members of the CCC, and many area residents to spend the day visiting and reminiscing about the good old days at Savenac.
Number of openings: 25
Special skills: Water bottle and work gloves required; carpentry, painting, general groundskeeping, and restoration skills helpful but not required; safety goggles suggested
Minimum age: 14 years old; under 18 with a responsible adult
Facilities: Camping and limited self-contained RV parking on site, 2 bunkhouses with showers; volunteers responsible for their own bedding and personal camping gear; FS will provide continental breakfast, lunch, dinner and coffee breaks; lodging, meals, convenience store, and gas next to the nursery at Lincoln’s Silver Dollar Bar and Motel and at Pinecrest Café and Lounge in DeBorgia
Nearest towns: Project in Haugan; St. Regis, 15 miles; Superior, 30 miles
Applications due: May 11, 2008