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Mount Walker

Day Work Party

Sat Nov 29, 2025: 8:30 AM — 3:30 PM

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Region

Olympic Peninsula — East - Hood Canal

Features: Earn Northwest Forest Pass

Crew Leader: Rick Bennett

A view from above on Mount Walker. Photo by RideDive

Overview

Come out for a fun day of trail work! WTA volunteers are helping the Hood Canal Ranger District complete needed maintenance on the Mount Walker Trail. This post Thanksgiving work party is affectionately known as the "gravy burner".

About the Area

Aproachable throughout the year, the short and steep Mount Walker Trail is a go-to route for hikers and trail runners looking for a short, brisk tromp. At the top, north and south viewpoints offer sweeping views of the eastern Olympics and of the Cascades from Mount St. Helens north into British Columbia.

What to Expect

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

Project Description

We'll work on maintenance heading up the trail. Activities will include a mix of improving the tread, brushing and logging out to stock width standards.

Hiking Information

Our hike to the project site will be up very steep terrain.  The hike to the project site could be as much as 4 miles round trip with 2000' of elevation gain if we go all the way to the top. 

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

Mt Walker Lower Trailhead - From the town of Quilcene head south on US Highway 101 for 5 miles. Turn left (east) off the highway onto the Mount Walker road. If the gate is closed park there but do not block access to the gate. If it is open proceed about a half mile up the road to a small parking area near the lower trailhead.

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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