Reyna Rodriguez
Wilderness Ranger Fellow
Southern Nez Perce Trail | Bitterroot National Forest
July 10 - July 13
SBFC staff and the smokejumpers taking in the views on the Nez Perce Trail
The Southern Nez Perce Trail is said to have seen signs of walking life for over three thousand years. Thousands of people have walked this trail for many different reasons. Today was July 12, 2023 and we are walking this same trail to clear it for future use. We are the future of the forest. I realized this when we got the opportunity to work with retired smokejumpers. They are the past and have many stories of growing up in these mountains. Being able to spend time working with them put into perspective just how much I still had to learn and how much time I had to really live.
Before the hitch I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to keep up. These amazing men were twice my age, twice my size, and could cut twice as many trees as I could in one day– this seemed like big shoes to fill! They were nice and patient, and taught Hannah, Ian and me all the quick ways they cut trees. They were quick to teach us that the creek is the best way to store your drinks and that they tasted better that way (which I could totally agree with). Many of the smokejumpers were ecstatic and spoke often of the excitement they had to see two young women going into the field.
Reyna (the author) and Ian enjoying their steak dinner!
Smokejumpers are definitely the only people I know who can saw trees all day and still hang out around a campfire with some whiskey and cigars and tell stories for hours. On the last night of the hitch we were spoiled and had a steak dinner! It was a great change from our usually sad dehydrated meals. Jim (one of the Smokejumpers with an amazing mustache) made a bet that no one could eat another steak. Feeling bold, I took him up on the challenge and crushed another steak. These men were twice my age, twice my size, and could cut twice as many trees as I could in one day… but I could eat twice as many steaks as they could! Feeling full and content in my tent that night, I realized that supporting the future of the forest and trails is the biggest shoe I could try to fill.
The smokejumper camp on the Nez Perce Trail.
The volunteers with the SBFC crew.
REYNA RODRIGUEZ
Bitterroot National Forest | Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness
Western New Mexico University
Major: Forestry & Wildlife
Reyna is a communicative, friendly individual who enjoys camping, fishing, and hiking. Reyna is currently studying at Western New Mexico University and is majoring in Forestry and Wildlife. Reyna found her love for the outdoors at a very young age and has followed that passion ever since.