Chipmunk Rapids Annual Scavenger Hunt Fundraiser Event Brought to you by Priest River Valley Back Country Horsemen
Sponsored by LP Ranch Quarter Horses, Priest River
Date: September 7th, 2024
Time: Registration Opens at 8:30 AM,
First Rider out: 9:00 AM
Location: Chipmunk Rapids Trail System (48.44906 N / 116.90928 W) From Priest River, turn onto SH-57 North, travel approximately 22 miles to the Chipmunk Rapids Information Center. There will be signs guiding the rest of the way in.
Calling all horse riders and lovers of the outdoors! Please join The Priest River Valley Back Country Horsemen for the 7th Annual “Chipmunk Rapids Scavenger Hunt”. This annual event helps to raise funds to continue to provide mileage reimbursement for our volunteers to state events, provide safety equipment, and provide satellite GPS/InReach Units to our teams along with First Aid Kits and for expenses incurred through normal business.
Volunteer Contributions and Achievements
Over the years, the efforts of the Back Country Horsemen have been substantial in maintaining the nation’s trails. Below is a summary of the miles maintained by all Back Country Horsemen Chapters in Idaho and the assigned dollar amounts for these volunteer efforts:
| Year | Miles of National Trails Maintained | Assigned Dollar Amount |
| 2023 | 230,700 | Over $12 million * |
| 2022 | 261,386 | $ 12,295,550 |
| 2021 | 207,805 | $ 9,389,714 |
| 2020 | 196,480 | $ 8,458,153 |
| 2019 | 218,617 | $ 10,440,000 |
| 2018 | 322,125 | $ 12,170,827 |
| 2017 | 324,154 | $ 12,987,807 |
| 2016 | 341,503 | $ 13,335,692 |
| 2015 | 357,668 | $ 13,552,457 |
| 2014 | 360,112 | $ 13,712,241 |
| (* Value assigned for Volunteer time/miles as a way to quantify the savings to USFS, BLM, IDL, and Public Lands.) | ||
Last year, the Priest River Valley Back Country Horsemen accomplished 135 miles of trails with over 500 manhours of volunteer time. The State BCH (BCHI) Volunteerism is one of the most important activities Back Country Horsemen can use in our effort to perpetuate the enjoyable common-sense use of pack and saddle stock in the backcountry. A central point of our mission statement is to assist government agencies in the maintenance and management of public lands.
The hours and value of volunteer service by Back Country Horsemen are consistently underreported. The past 28-year total for BCHA volunteer service is $190.4 million, a value that gives BCHA national representatives significant leverage when engaging with public land management agencies and other user groups in policy discussions about trail access and maintenance.
Each chapter and state organization’s Volunteer Hours Coordinator (VHC) or committee is responsible for reporting the hours that members work and other expenses they incur during their service.
Join us for a day of adventure, camaraderie, and support for a great cause. We look forward to seeing you there!
