Time to assemble the McCall A team and head deep into the wilderness for a remote trail project. Our trusty pilot Thor and McCall Aviation prepare the crew for takeoff. This aircraft is the Kodiak and is a modern aviation wonder. Super powerful and rugged, it is the perfect aircraft for the Idaho back country.
We all enjoy the views of Valley County and beyond…. our backyard!
It was a beautiful day to fly, the Lick Creek Mountain Range still holds a bunch of snow up high. After about 30 minutes at altitude, we descend into the Flying B Ranch along the Middle Fork of the Salmon River.
Val, the ranch manager and the Flying B Team always take good care of the ITA work crews.
After some coordination with the pack team, we were on our feet for the 12 mile hike to our first base camp.
Spring in the Middle Fork of the Salmon River Canyon.
The forecast for the week was for mild temperatures and no rain. A far contrast from 48 hours ago when it was snowing here.
Up and down the trail rolls as we head downstream on the Middle Fork.
Our team takes a lunch break on one of the many river bars. The A Team members for this trip from left to right, Tim, Art, Carl, Scott, Tom, Cody, and myself behind the lens.
Of course our lead organization is the Idaho Trail Association and a partnership with the Salmon Challis National Forest and funded with a grant from the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. Thanks to everyone for making this trip happen and allowing this crew to visit some amazing country.
We roll over the top of many cliff bands along the river this one was pretty tall.
As we take a break on this ridge, Val leads the pack team with our camping gear and they catch us here.
Tom takes in the view of the Flying B team coming up the ridge.
Thank you Nelly and the rest of the team for your hard work. Without the transport of our gear to the first base camp this trip would have been incredibly more difficult.
The pack team heads back off the ridge and down to the river again.
After a solid 5 hours of hiking we arrive at Waterfall Creek. Tom and Scott marvel at the power of the rushing water.
A short bit down the trail Cody and Scott pause a minute so I can shoot the Big Creek Bridge and the junction of the Waterfall Trail and the Big Creek Trail.
We needed to bump up the Waterfall Trail about a kilometer to find our first base camp.
The pack team had arrived and dropped our gear in camp. After a good long hike we were glad to be at home for the evening.
The crew set up camp and we settled in along the Waterfall Creek.
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