Palisades Construction BCRT
Backcountry Response Team
Mon Jul 13, 2026 8:30 AM — Thu Jul 16, 2026 3:30 PM
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Region
Mount Rainier Area — Chinook Pass - Hwy 410
Crew Leader: Alan Carter Mortimer
Overview
The Palisades Trail is in need of some new puncheon! Crews will work together to build these needed structures from harvested materials.
About the Area
The Palisades Trail sits just off the 410 HWY. Many trails off the 410 HWY offer the chance at spectacular views of Mt Rainier, waterfalls, lakes, and of old growth trees. The Palisades Trail is a steep hike that connects to many other trails in the area. You could connect with, Ranger Creek Trail, Dalles Ridge, Noble Knob, Lost Lake, or Corral Pass. Making this area the perfect place to customize your trip. You choose your distance, difficulty, and destinations.
What to Expect
We'll have fun, work hard and make a difference!
Project Description
Participants will work together to replace two Puncheons that are at the end of their life. The crew will be using timber that has been harvested on the trail. Tasks might include bark peeling, material scouting, use of power tools, moving bulky lumber materials, and doing some trail maintenance.
Camping and Hiking Information
- Type: Backcountry basecamp with an option to car camp
- Location: Participants will camp on the 7250 Forest Service Road that is near the trail
- Weather: Be prepared for variable conditions including heat, cold, wind and rain
- There is a water source near the worksite that will require filtration
- Crew campsite will be accessible by vehicle
- Expected daily hike: Up to 2-4 miles roundtrip while carrying your daypack plus tools over steep terrain
Schedule
- Day 1: Meet the crew rain or shine, then hike in, begin work on the project and set up camp
- Day 2+: Make breakfast and pack a lunch before heading out on trail with the crew by 8:00 AM. Work at your own pace, take plenty of breaks and enjoy lunch on the trail. Arrive back in camp by 4:00 or 5:00 PM for a relaxing evening. Prepare your own dinner and swap stories with the crew
- Final Day: Break down camp, finish trail project, hike out and say goodbye to the crew at the trailhead
For safety reasons, arriving late or leaving early is not allowed.
Planning Information
Get ready for a challenging backcountry adventure!
What it Takes to Do This Work Party
- A great attitude for working with a team! WTA provides the training and tools you need for the project
- Backpacking gear and food for multiple nights on the trail
- Good physical condition to hike with a fully-loaded backpack and be physically active for about 8-9 hours daily on uneven terrain
- Backpacking experience including ability to run your own camp following Leave No Trace principles
- Day work party experience recommended
- Flexibility to adapt to changes due to unpredictable weather or land manager requests
- Minimum age: 18
What to Bring
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 if you do not already have a WTA provided hard hat. 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.
In addition to items listed above, bring the following backpacking gear:
- WTA hard hat
- Work gloves
- Backpack to carry all of your gear
- Tent, sleeping bag and sleeping pad
- Cooking gear and enough food (plus a little extra) for the entire trip
- At least two 1-liter water bottles and a way to purify your water
- Rain jacket and rain pants
- Extra warm clothing
- Camp clothing such as shorts, shirt and sandals
- Sun and bug protection
- Headlamp and extra batteries
- Personal items such as medication, hand sanitizer and toiletries
- First aid kit
- A sense of fun and adventure for learning new skills and meeting great people!
A hard hat will be provided by WTA if you do not already have a WTA provided hard hat. 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.
More Information
- What to Pack for a Backcountry Response Team
- Frequently Asked Questions
- WTA's Trail Work Guide introduces the type of work you may do
- Contact us at volunteer@wta.org or 206.625.1367
From the Hiking Guide
See what WTA's hiking guide and trip reports say about this area.
This is a preview. Registration will open soon.
Partners
Directions
From Enumclaw drive southeast on State Highway 410 for 28.1 miles, to a wide area on the left (east) side of the highway. You will have passed the Dalles Campground approximately 1.5 miles before the trailhead. If you reach Camp Sheppard you will have gone too far. The Palisades Trail and the White River Trail share the same 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.
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