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Wynoochee Lakeshore - Chainsaw Logout

Day Work Party

Tue Jan 6, 2026: 8:30 AM — 3:30 PM

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Region

Olympic Peninsula — Olympia

Features: Logout

Crew Leader: Tom Roalkvam

Wynoochee River. Photo by Trip Reporter ejain.

Overview

This long trail around Wynoochee Lake requires critical maintenance, especially in the middle sections of both the east and west sides of the lake. Join us for a variety of cutting logs, tread maintenance, and brushing.

About the Area

The Wynoochee Lake Shore Trail #878 starts on the north side of Coho Campground. The 16-mile loop has a rolling grade, ranging from easy to moderate in difficulty. The elevation gain along the route in minimal as it stays mostly 100-200' through second-growth forest above the lake while providing opportunity for viewing wildlife, fishing, and enjoying some old growth forest. The trail is open to hikers and mountain bikers. Maintenance efforts will likely focus on the eastside of the lake.

What to Expect

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

Project Description

This work party is weather-dependent and may be subject to change!

Our primary focus will be logging out the trail with chainsaws. Registration preference will be given to folks with A/B/C chainsaw certifications. Feel free to sign up even if you don't have a certification. While you won't be able to run a chainsaw without certification, you can help with swamping or being part of a tread-team.

There is a lot of general maintenance work to be done on this trail. We will be cutting out logs across the trail and brushing back anything encroaching into the corridor. There is also usually drainage to clean out and tread to widen. 

Hiking Information

Our hike to the project site is expected to be 3-5 miles roundtrip over 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
  • 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

We are meeting at the Wynoochee Dam Overlook (Visitor Center) since the trailhead can be difficult to find. Plan to be there at 8:30 am promptly.


Please note: While rare, Cougar-Smith Road is an active logging road and can occasionally close without notice. To avoid that possibility, here’s an alternate approach:


Turn-by-turn directions to the Wynoochee Dam Overlook: 

From US-Highway 12, drive one mile west of Montesano and take the exit for Devonshire Rd, then head north on Wynoochee Valley Road for approximately 34 miles. Turn left onto Forest Highway 22 (Wynoochee Valley Rd) and in .3 miles turn right onto Forest Service Rd 2294 (Wynoochee Valley Rd). The Wynoochee Dam Overlook will be on the right in 0.8 miles. There is a sign which says "Welcome to Vista Overlook."

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.

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