Peter Schuler and Gordon Hamerski were riding dirt bikes on Canfield Mountain on Saturday morning when they saw something that made them stop: Branches and brush protruding into the trail. 

In a few minutes, they cut them back, tossed them to the side and prepared to move on.

“When you’re hiking, the little things are not a big deal,” said Schuler, with the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation. “But when you’re riding and you’re higher up, those little sticks can become face whippers. They can actually hurt pretty bad.” 

Hamerski, with the Forest Service in Sandpoint, said when it comes to maintaining trails used by bikers, the general rule is, anything you can reach with a tool or hand should be cut back.

“We’re trying to get over the big headaches that would whip us in the face,” he said. 

The two men were among about 100 volunteers who came out for National Trails Day. Bikers, hikers, hunters, backcountry clubs, conservation groups and horsemen spent several hours clearing branches and brush from trails on Canfield Mountain starting at the trailhead across from the Fernan gun range on Fernan Lake Road. 

The event was organized by the Northern Rockies Trail Project, a new nonprofit based in Sandpoint formed to bring trail users together around the shared goal of keeping public lands accessible and healthy through collaboration and hands-on stewardship. 

NRTP’s approach is simple: collaborate early, build trust and get work done. 

“When user groups come together on the front end, land managers get better partners, projects move faster and there’s less conflict later,” said NRTP board chair Emily Strizich. “Everyone benefits — especially the land.” 

Strizich said events like National Trails Day create a culture of stewardship, “where people get involved.” 

“Improved access protects wild places in more than one way,” says Strizich. “The more people can get out and experience these places, the more they understand what they’re protecting.” 

Heather Cox with the Northern Rockies Trail said volunteer efforts help keep Canfield trails open, as they are used by many. 

“They run the risk of closing themselves if they don’t get maintained,” she said. 

Tom Dabrowski with the Idaho Trails Association has put in 250 days of trail work as a volunteer and was a crew leader Saturday for a group that hiked more than a mile up a trail.

“We do this because it’s the right thing to do,” he said, smiling. “And it beats the hell out of watching TV."

Dirt biker Jeremy Jones appreciated the volunteers. He said Canfield's trails are world-class and he loves seeing them in such great condition.

“Very beneficial,” he said.  

Jim Manning of Hayden is with the Idaho Trails Association and was a crew leader Saturday. 

“I love the physical challenge of being on the trails,” he said. “And the trail work, mostly because of the other people. I’ve basically met nothing but good people.” 

Volunteer Ben Nachlas used loppers to cut back branches in a trail section.  

“Protecting these wild places is the most important thing,” he said. “It brings me joy to devote my time to maintaining and upkeeping the things I love. And doing it alongside of my community, that’s what it’s all about.” 

    Volunteers on National Trails Day make their way up Canfield Mountain on Saturday.
  

    Ben Nachlas with the Northern Rockies Trail Project cuts back brush from a trail on Canfield Mountain on Saturday.
  

    Gordon Hamerski removes a large branch that was protruding onto a Canfield Mountain trail on Saturday.
  

    Dirt-bikers helping on National Trails Day head up Canfield Mountain, while Heather Cox and Tom Dabrowski step off the trail on Saturday.
  

    Heather Cox and Tom Dabrowski make their up way up Canfield Mountain on National Trails Day on Saturday.