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Beacon Rock - Bridge Trail

Day Work Party

Sat Jan 17, 2026: 8:30 AM — 3:30 PM

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Region

Southwest — Columbia River Gorge - WA

Features: Earn Discover Pass

Crew Leader: James Alexander

Photo by Susan Saul

Overview

You will be working to maintain the Bridge Trail at Beacon Rock State Park, a trail originally built by WTA volunteers! There will be multiple things to do, including cutting trees off the trail, improving drainage, cleaning bridges, and more!

About the Area

Beacon Rock is one of the most popular destinations in the Columbia River Gorge. Over the past 10 years WTA volunteers have built three new trails at the park: Hardy Ridge, Bridge Trail and the River To Rock Trail.

What to Expect

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

Project Description

You will meet at the Equestrian Trailhead and caravan in closer to the work on the Bridge Trail. Showing up on time is especially important because once the crew goes through the locked gate, you will no longer be able to meet up. The Bridge Trail is about a mile in total. This crew will hike the length to maintain drainage ditches, dips and culverts, remove fallen trees, and cut back any encroaching vegetation. Expect to use digging tools, loppers, and other hand tools.

Hiking Information

Our hike to the project site is expected to be 0.9 miles one way with 375' of elevation gain.

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.

Partners

Directions

Meet at the Equestrian Trailhead/Campground.

From Vancouver go east on Hwy 14 through Camas and Washougal. Continue east on Hwy 14 for about 30 miles and you will reach the Beacon Rock Park, turn left (head North, away from the river) onto Kueffler Road (just before, or west of, the Beacon Rock Ranger Station). Continue on Kueffler Road until ~200 ft past the 1 mile marker, turn right onto the gravel road that will end at the equestrian trailhead/campground (Driving time from Vancouver: approximately 1 hours.)

If you're coming from communities upriver in the Gorge. Take Hwy 14 west. In about 7 miles past Bridge of the Gods turn right on to Kueffler Rd. just past the main parking area in front of Beacon Rock. Kueffler is immediatly west of the State Park headquarters on the right. Continue on Kueffler Road until ~200 ft past the 1 mile marker, turn right onto the gravel road that will end at the equestrian trailhead/campground (Driving time from Vancouver: approximately 1 hours.)

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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Carpool

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