A pair of Coeur d’Alene residents gave up their Saturday last week to tackle one of the most daunting volunteer efforts in recent memory on a North Idaho trail — removing 115 fallen trees from the Revett Lake Trail in the Coeur d’Alene National Forest in just under 12 hours. Jeffrey Durocher and Chris Celentano, both certified U.S. Forest Service sawyers, worked from 9:30 in the morning until well past 9 at night to restore the two-mile family trail to passable condition.
A Trail Buried by a Devastating Winter Storm
The damage stretching across the Revett Lake Trail traces back to a powerful winter storm that struck northern Idaho in December. Wind speeds reached 85 mph, with gusts topping 100 mph in some locations, toppling trees across numerous National Forest trails throughout the Panhandle region. The Revett Lake Trail had been blocked by the resulting debris for roughly two weeks before Durocher and Celentano arrived with their saws and safety gear.
The scope of the job was substantial. The largest single tree they cut measured 36 inches in diameter. Throughout the day, the two men worked steadily through the log-choked trail, pressing on even as daylight faded. Adding an unusual element to the already demanding workday, a 500-pound grizzly bear was known to be active in the area during their work.
Durocher made clear why the trail matters enough to spend a full Saturday clearing it. “This is why we do it,” he said. “Because of the kids, because it’s one of the most popular and family-friendly trails we have in the area.”
How Two Coeur d’Alene Neighbors Became Trail Keepers
Durocher and Celentano first crossed paths in a photography class back in 2018. Their shared enthusiasm for North Idaho’s backcountry eventually led them to trail maintenance work, and earlier this year they completed their certification as U.S. Forest Service sawyers in March. A grant helped cover the cost of new saws and required safety equipment, allowing them to take on more demanding clearing jobs.
The two typically pour around 100 hours into trail clearing work between May and July each season. This year, however, the severity of the December storm pushed their start date all the way to early January. By mid-June, they had already removed more than 1,000 fallen trees across various North Idaho trails — a number that puts the scale of winter damage in stark relief.
Celentano described their relationship to the trails in straightforward terms: “It’s kind of like our pet. You know the adopt-a-highway thing? We adopted a trail.”
The two plan to continue their clearing efforts for roughly another month and a half before wrapping up for the season.
Impact on Kootenai County Outdoor Recreation
The Revett Lake Trail sits within the Coeur d’Alene National Forest and draws families and hikers looking for an accessible backcountry experience in the Panhandle. When storms close popular trails for weeks or months at a time, it limits recreational access for Kootenai County residents and visitors who depend on public lands for hiking, fishing, and outdoor activities throughout the summer season.
The December storm’s impact extended well beyond one trail. Widespread blowdown across northern Idaho’s National Forest system left land managers and volunteers facing a significant backlog of clearing work heading into the 2026 outdoor season. Volunteer sawyers like Durocher and Celentano help fill a critical gap, handling trail maintenance that federal agencies often lack the staffing to address quickly.
What Comes Next
With the Revett Lake Trail now clear, hikers and families in the Coeur d’Alene area can once again access the route. Durocher and Celentano expect to keep working through approximately early August before closing out their season. Given that they have already surpassed 1,000 trees removed this year, the final tally for the 2026 season could reach well beyond that figure before they are done.
North Idaho residents planning summer trail outings may also want to check current road and infrastructure conditions — ongoing summer construction in Kootenai County is affecting travel in several areas, including lane closures on Seltice Way in Post Falls and overnight bridge work near Coeur d’Alene on I-90.