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Volunteer Vacation

Mon Mar 29, 2027 3:00 PM — Mon Apr 5, 2027 9:00 AM

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Region

Olympic Peninsula — Pacific Coast

Crew Leader: WTA Chief Crew Leader

Venture to the beach on your day off and enjoy the midday low tide. Photo by banana slug.

Overview

Spend a week on the wild Olympic Coast. This crew will help Olympic National Park improve the Kalaloch Nature Trail, then while away evenings in a cozy bunkhouse. After the week, return home rejuvenated by the ocean air and the sense of a job well done.

About the Area

Kalaloch Beach provides the perfect place to rediscover or share the remote Olympic Coast with loved ones. Despite its proximity to Highway 101, the geology of the area conspires to give visitors a feeling of remoteness. The tidepools and headlands are accessible to even the littlest hiker, thanks to years of volunteer work from WTA volunteer vacation crews. The crew stationed here can make Browns Point, a collection of craggy rock islands and cliffs, their destination for the day off.

What to Expect

We'll have fun, work hard and make a difference!

Project Description

This trail needs a variety of maintenance to keep it accessible for all hikers and minimize impacts on the surrounding area. We might be pruning back overgrown vegetation, digging new paths for water to flow off the trail, or enhancing existing trail structures. We may also restore some tread. This means removing organic material as well as protruding rocks and roots, and ensuring the trail is the proper width and slope.

Camping and Hiking Information

  • Type: Cozy bunkhouse
  • Location: Kalaloch 
  • Shower: Indoor
  • Weather: Be prepared for variable conditions including heat, cold, wind and rain
  • Other: Possible daily carpool to the project site if working beach trails
  • Hike to camp: None
  • Expected daily hike to project: 1-3 miles roundtrip with 200 feet of elevation gain at a moderate pace

Schedule

  • Day 1 (Sat): Meet the crew, move into and set up bunkhouse
  • Day 2-4 (Sun-Tues): Trail work day. Gather for breakfast (7:00 AM) then hike to the project site (8:00 AM). Work at your own pace, take plenty of breaks and enjoy lunch on the trail. By 3:00 PM, hike back to camp to enjoy snacks and unwind before dinner (6:00 PM). Help with a different camp chore each day including meal preparation and cleanup.
  • Day 5 (Wed): Day off to relax and explore your beautiful surroundings
  • Day 6-7 (Thu-Fri): Trail work day
  • Day 8 (Sat):Packup your stuff, help clean the accomodations and say goodbye

For safety reasons, arriving late or leaving early is not allowed.

Planning Information

Get ready for a great vacation!

What it Takes to Do This Work Party

  • A great attitude for working with a team!
  • Camping gear and trail work gear; WTA provides training, tools and great food
  • Good physical condition to be physically active for about 7 hours daily on uneven terrain
  • Day work party experience recommended
  • Flexibility to adapt to changes due to unpredictable weather or land manager requests
  • Minimum age: 18

What to Bring

Please wear comfortable and weather-appropriate hiking clothes and your boots for our hike to camp.

Camping gear:

  • Sleeping bag or linens for Twin Bed
  • At least two 1-liter water bottles and a coffee mug
  • Lawn chair
  • Rain jacket and rain pants
  • Extra warm clothing
  • Comfortable clothing for the bunkhouse
  • Bath towel 
  • Sun and bug protection
  • Headlamp and extra batteries
  • Personal items such as medication, hand sanitizer and toiletries
  • ​First aid kit
  • Lunch and snacks for Day 1
  • A sense of fun and adventure for learning new skills and meeting great people!

Trail work gear:

  • Boots
  • Long pants 
  • Work gloves
  • Long-sleeved shirt recommended
  • Eye protection recommended (glasses, sunglasses or safety glasses)
  • Day pack recommended

A hard hat will be provided by WTA. For safety reasons, shorts and sneakers are not allowed while working. Firearms and weapons are not allowed.

More Information

From the Hiking Guide

See what WTA's hiking guide and trip reports say about this area.

A My Backpack account is required. You will be asked to register or log in before you can join.

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Partners

Directions

From Hoquiam follow US 101 north for 70 miles to Kalaloch. (From Forks travel 34 miles south on US 101) We will be staying in the bunkhouse's behind the Ranger Station
 

Note: Please follow the written directions above instead of using a GPS device. This will ensure that you get to the correct meeting location for this work party. The location of the pinpoint below is only approximate.

Getting to WTA work parties can involve travel on rough, unpaved roads in areas without cellular service and without street addresses that can be accurately used by navigation devices. Unless specifically noted otherwise, routes can generally be traveled by all types of vehicles. Volunteers with limited experience driving on unpaved mountain roads may want to allow extra time, beyond what is recommended in the directions above, to get to the meeting location.

Fees

Trip fee for WTA members: $10.00

Trip fee for non-members: $15.00

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Cancellation Policy

  • If you paid the WTA member fee of $10, there is a $30 cancellation fee for cancellations more than 30 days prior to the trip, and no refund for cancellations within 30 days of the trip.
  • If you paid the WTA non-member fee of $15, there is a $70 cancellation fee for cancellations more than 30 days prior to the trip, and no refund for cancellations within 30 days of the trip. You will retain your one-year membership to WTA.

Required Documentation

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What is Crew Corner?

Crew Message Board

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Carpool

Find a ride, give a ride with people who also want to carpool.