New project coordinator says group offers many opportunities

The Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness are rolling into summer with a full season of activities planned spanning a big range of interests and levels of ability. 

“We have opportunities for a huge variety of humans,” said summer project coordinator Bonnie Jakubos, “from the ultra-fit to those looking for a nice walk in the shade. Our volunteers can swing a Pulaski with a trail crew or hang out at the Bonner County Fair — or both.”

Last Saturday was not exactly the kickoff day — the first FSPW hike was May 12 — but it was a big day for education in the wilderness proposal. Two of the Scotchman Peak Education Series hikes are scheduled for that day, a classroom/field combo on riparian ecology led by naturalist Brian Baxter and an archeological history hike led by Forest Service archeologist Rachel Reckin.

 Jakubos, who came on board with FSPW in late May, will be coordinating trail projects, hikes and outreach events for the summer. She brings lots of experience to the job, with a degree in wildlife biology and a couple of decades of environmental education and volunteer coordination. She and her husband moved to Sagle from Salmon, Idaho, last winter, where she most recently worked at the Sacajawea Interpretive Center.

Beyond this weekend stretches the rest of the summer, with 10 volunteer-led hikes and some major trail building and maintenance projects, including a chance to work on rebuilding the historic trail to Star Peak and the badly deteriorated upper trail to Little Spar Lake. 

FSPW will also have a presence at the Huckleberry Festival in Trout Creek on Aug. 10 to 12 and at the Bonner County Fair, Aug. 20 to 25.

To sign up for any of the FSPW hikes or volunteer activities, write to trails@scotchmanpeaks.org or visit www.scotchmanpeaks.org/hiking/current-hiking-schedule for individual activity details and contact information.