Preserving the treasure of Tubbs Hill: 'A labor of love'

COEUR d’ALENE — The volunteers with Friends of Tubbs Hill speak lovingly of their treasured city landmark.

“It’s the city’s most important, unique open space,” said board member Dave Yadon. “It’s a treasure.”

Yadon is not alone in this sentiment: The hill’s trail counter tallied nearly 400,000 visitors in 2024.

For Friends of Tubbs Hill, numbers like these mean year-round upkeep is essential to preserving the natural space.

“It’s an ongoing labor of love,” said board member George Ives.

Friends of Tubbs Hill, which is part of the Tubbs Hill Foundation, is a nonprofit association dedicated to the preservation of Tubbs Hill.

Nine devoted volunteers with Friends of Tubbs Hill met Friday morning to address erosion from stormwater runoff affecting the Summit Trail as well as the Main Loop Trail. Friday’s work was part of an ongoing trail rehabilitation project Friends of Tubbs Hill began last week.

Monte McCulley, the trails coordinator with the city, explained that high traffic on Tubbs Hill causes more erosion, which in turn leads to more runoff, causing even further erosion.

He said the work of Friends of Tubbs Hill is invaluable to the health of Tubbs Hill.

“We’d be in sorry shape without it,” McCulley said.

McCulley emphasized that while Friends of Tubbs Hill is always looking for more volunteers, it is important not to do any work on Tubbs Hill without working with the city or the foundation.

Yadon explained that a high volume of foot traffic has created side trails that are not part of the official trail system, which can worsen erosion and mislead hikers.

The goal, Yadon said, is to maintain sustainable trails that work to protect the natural space.

“Tubbs Hill is a very fragile place,” Yadon said.