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Big Hollow - Chainsaw Logout

Day Work Party

Sat Oct 11, 2025: 8:30 AM — 3:30 PM

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Region

South Cascades

Features: Earn Northwest Forest Pass

Crew Leader: Ben Semer

Trapper Creek. Photo by Dean

Overview

Since the Big Hollow fire in 2020, burned trees have continued to fall at a rate faster than they have been cleared. As a result, this entrance into the Trapper Creek Wilderness is mostly obscured. We especially need certified chainsaw sawyers to lend a hand to make this trail passable again.

NOTE that I am saving spots for folks who can lead a chainsaw team. If the work party says it's full but you are a B or C chainsaw sawyer, please put yourself on the waitlist and there is likely space for you:)

About the Area

This wilderness gem was designated in the mid 1980's to protect one of the few pristine Old-growth forests left in SW Washington. A system of rugged, primitive trails offer many different loop opportunities while the well-graded Observation Trail provides the most popular route to Observation Peak's magnificent view. Linking the Observation Trail with the Trapper Creek Trail makes an excellent loop hike.

What to Expect

We'll have fun, work hard and make a difference! No experience is necessary.

Project Description

You will hike in from the Big Hollow Trailhead with chainsaws to remove the fallen trees that are making it extremely difficult for anyone to follow this trail. Though we will need some volunteers to clean up ahead of and behind sawyers, mostly we need folks who are certified to operate chainsaws.

Hiking Information

Expect to hike up to 3 mi round trip over rolling and sometimes hilly terrain.

Camping Information

Camping is available at the nearby Government Mineral Springs campground. This is not an official WTA campout, but you may be joined by others from the work party.

Schedule

  • 8:30 AM: Be ready to sign in and meet the crew, rain or shine
  • 8:35 AM: Gather for a safety briefing, then hike to the project site
  • Morning: Work at your own pace, and take breaks throughout the day
  • 12:00 PM: Lunch on the trail
  • Afternoon: Consider trying a new task before wrapping up the day's work
  • 3:30 PM: Sign out after enjoying refreshments at the trailhead

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

Planning Information

Get ready for a great day outside!

What it Takes to Do This Work Party

  • No experience is necessary—just bring a great attitude for working with a team! WTA provides the training and tools you need
  • Expect to be physically active at your own pace for up to 6 hours on uneven terrain
  • Recommended for ages 10 and older; under 14 must be accompanied by an adult and a parental consent form must be signed for anyone under 18

What to Wear

Required:

  • Sturdy closed-toe shoes
  • Work gloves
  • Eye protection (glasses, sunglasses, or safety glasses)
  • Long pants

Recommended:

  • Sturdy work or hiking boots
  • Long sleeved shirt

A hard hat will be provided by WTA. Additionally, work gloves and eye protection will be provided by WTA if you do not have your own, but when possible we recommend bringing your own. For safety reasons, certain tasks may be assigned based on the safety level of your footwear. Volunteers who do not have long pants, or sturdy closed toes shoes, will not be able to participate in the work party.

What to Bring

  • Lunch and plenty of water
  • Rain jacket and pants
  • Extra warm clothing in case of wet or cold weather
  • A pack to carry your personal gear
  • A sense of fun and adventure for learning new skills and meeting great people!

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.

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Partners

Directions

From the south, take Highway 14 along the Columbia River Gorge until Wind River Highway. Take Wind River Highway 9.9 miles. You will go through Carson, then continue north until, at 9.9 miles you will veer left to stay on Wind River Highway. After 4.5 more miles, take a right onto NF Road 30 (if you keep going straight, you will see a sign for the Trapper Creek Trailhead and will ultimately end up at Government Mineral Springs Campground--if you see either of these you have missed your turn). Once you're on the 30 Road, go 2.1 miles until you veer left to be on Dry Creek Road/NF Rd 64 (veering right will take you to Falls Creek Falls; if you see this you have missed your turn). After2 miles, the trailhead is on your left and the parking area for the trailhead is just some open space on your right.


From the north, we'd still recommend coming all the way down to Highway 14 and following the above directions. You can wind your way through via GPS (look up "Big Hollow Trailhead"), but do so at your own risk.

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.

Required Documentation

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