Raegan Dick | Wilderness Ranger Fellow
Norton Ridge/Marble Creek Trail, Salmon-Challis Forest
05/26-05/31/2025
On the third day of this hitch, I was nervous. The day before, we had made it 2.5 miles up Norton Ridge— a daunting 5.5-mile trail that gains nearly 4,000 feet of elevation to an abandoned fire lookout deep within the Salmon-Challis Forest. It was a tough trail, and I knew it would only get harder the higher we climbed.
As we climbed Norton Ridge that morning, we ran into a woman named Kristin and her two dogs. She lives on a ranch inholding within the wilderness— one we had admired from across the Salmon River earlier in the day. We chatted briefly about our respective work before continuing up the trail.
By the end of the workday, around 3.5 to 4 miles in, our crew decided to push to the summit and see the fire lookout. The temperature had climbed to 85 degrees, and most of us were nearly out of water, but the opportunity to explore the fire lookout was within reach, so we went for it.
Part of the fire lookout at the summit of Norton Ridge.
It turned out to be one of the hardest hikes I’ve ever done. Even after four weeks out west, I’m still adjusting to the elevation— the 7,500-foot difference from my home in Michigan hit me hard. The heat, lack of water, and general fatigue from a full day of trail work compounded the challenge, but quitting wasn’t an option.
Me at the top of the summit.
The fire lookout came into view as we reached the summit, and I knew it was all worth it. Now eye-level with the snow-capped peaks, it felt like you could see for miles and miles in any direction you looked, almost like being on another planet.
As we began our 6.5-mile hike back to base camp, I was preoccupied with how relieving it would be to finally collect and filter water from the river once we were back. All of a sudden, I slipped down the toe of the trail and twisted my ankle. The pain was sharp, but I knew that the only choice was to continue forward, one foot in front of the other.
The note and radio Kristin left at our camp.
A little over a mile from camp, we stop to filter some water to get us through the final stretch. Not long after we started hiking again, we heard a dog barking and a motor approaching us from behind. It was Kristin, and she had arrived to drive us back to camp. The immediate relief I felt was immense, and I was overcome with gratitude for this act of kindness. She had already been by our camp, leaving a radio and a note offering a ride to the trailhead for nearby hot springs. Though we declined, the gesture meant a lot. (*Editor’s note: The SBFC crew was traveling through a private inholding, hence the vehicle!)
By the time we made it back to camp, I was covered in dirt, sweat, blood, and tears from the day. As I washed the day away in the river, I found myself feeling overwhelmed with pure, unadulterated joy. I was so grateful for the wide breadth of emotions in a single day-– anxiety, exhaustion, and pain, overshadowed by grit, pride, and fulfillment.
Oddly enough, one of the brightest moments of my time deep in the wilderness was the simple kindness of human connection– something that, along with the breathtaking sights and sounds of the Frank Church Wilderness, I’ll never forget.
My fellow crew members, Nick and Abe, led by Berkeley back down Norton Ridge.
Inside of one of the buildings at summit.
Raegan Dick
Berkley, MI
Michigan Technological University- Forestry & Wildlife Ecology
Raegan is entering her 3rd year as a Forestry and Wildlife Ecology dual major at Michigan Technological University. She has a deep love and appreciation for the natural world and views it as something to be honored and protected. She finds solace in unspoiled wilderness, where the absence of human influence fosters a deep connection to the land. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, snowshoeing, bug hunting, hammocking, and reading. Passionate about environmental stewardship and conservation, Raegan is excited to apply her academic, personal, and professional experiences this summer with SBFC.