Facebook Twitter Pinterest Instagram

Olympics Holiday Work Party and Potluck - Illahee Forest Preserve

Day Work Party

Sun Dec 21, 2025: 8:30 AM — 3:30 PM

Sign in to My Backpack

Region

Olympic Peninsula — Kitsap Peninusla

Features: Potluck, Special Event

Crew Leader: Paul Boronow

Trail crew leaders full of holiday spirit! Photo by Paul Boronow.

Overview

Join us in celebrating the holidays and our WTA community at the Illahee Forest Preserve! We’ll get some quality trail work in, share a potluck, and enjoy a fun day together. Festive sweaters and decorated hard hats are highly encouraged!

About the Area

This Kitsap County Heritage Park is 570 acres of preserved lands, and has about five miles of trails in the area of the preserve that is open to the public. Illahee Creek is a salmon-bearing stream, and there are myriad types of wildlife in this area to enjoy. 

What to Expect

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

Project Description

We’ll be tackling general maintenance throughout the Illahee Forest Preserve trail system, likely focusing on brushing, tread improvements, and drainage work. Around lunchtime, we’ll head back to the picnic shelter near the parking area to enjoy some treats and beverages together. Please bring a side dish to share with the group!

Hiking Information

Our hike to the project site is expected to be 1-3 mi over flat or gently rolling terrain.

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
  • Afternoon: Potluck!
  • 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.

Join Waitlist

Partners

Directions

From Bremerton, head north on Warren Ave. Cross the bridge and continue on Wheaton Way for 1.8 miles. Turn right on NE Riddell Rd. Follow for 0.3 miles and turn left onto Almira Dr. for 0.4 mile to the parking area.

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

You must be part of this crew and have a My Backpack account to see the Crew Corner.

Sign in to My Backpack

What is Crew Corner?

Crew Message Board

Stay on top of this work party’s messages.

Carpool

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