From August 1st through 6th I attended a trails crew trip with the Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation, an escapade designated to the maintenance of trails 137 and 170 in the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest. By the end of the week we had successfully cleared the two trails, a noteworthy accomplishment and very exciting aspect of the trip, but also something that ended up being only one part of the overall incredible experience. This trip was made great by not only the satisfaction of fully clearing two hiking trails that will serve people for years to come, but also by the sense of community that was present and the bonding that occurred throughout.

This is something I didn’t entirely expect – to clarify, I had no previous experience doing anything of this sort, so I did not have specific expectations – but the comradery found on the trip was certainly a welcome surprise. Not knowing anyone prior to the first day wasn’t something that I was particularly concerned about, but upon arrival it seemed that many people already knew each other, and I questioned to myself how well I would fit in with the group. I quickly learned that my reservations were completely unfounded; I got along very well with everyone as they accepted me as a congenial part of the group. I was and am very grateful for this, as it not only greatly improved my experience in a social sense, but made the trail work we did far more enjoyable as well.

By the end of the week it felt like everyone was old friends, as we enjoyed each other’s company while sawing trees and over plentiful meals. Moreover, the excellent atmosphere throughout the week was not contrived in the slightest. Although there were a variety of fun personalities throughout the group that coalesced into a time of great moods and engaging discourse, it would have been difficult to be in a bad mood while surrounded by the stunning Badger-Two Medicine.

The beauty and remote nature of the Badger were on full display as we camped under the stars and explored up mountains. Experiencing the wonder and serenity of a place this special only served to make me prouder of the work we accomplished, and to consider myself grateful to have been able to have such an experience in my short time here – from the work to the play, this is an endeavor that I recommend to all, and truly something that I will remember for the rest of my life.

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Mason Edison served as Conservation Intern with Glacier-Two Medicine Alliance from May 20 - August 14, 2024. This AmeriCorps program administered by the Montana Conservation Corps provides young people an opportunity to develop a variety of natural resource skills and experience. It was so fun to have Mason on the team this summer. We are so grateful for his incredible service and wish him the best with his senior year. 

This internship is just one of the ways we are connecting young people to conservation and inspire them to be lifelong champions for protecting and conserving wildlands, intact ecosystems, and the native species that thrive there. We encourage anyone interested to apply.

Volunteers of all ages are invited to join us on a future trails trip in the Badger-Two Medicine, thanks to our partnership with the Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation. Check out our volunteer page for more information or other opportunities to get your hands dirty in service of the wild.