Overview

Join us in an area of stunning views and abundant wildlife; the only wilderness area in northeast Washington. We're logging out the Salmo Loop trail as it drops to the South Salmo River and then heads east, climbing to the Shedroof Divide.

About the Area

The Salmo-Priest Wilderness is located in the extreme northeast corner of Washington. The loop trail is at the northern end of the wilderness. The trail begins by dropping from the flanks of Salmo Mountain to the banks of the South Salmo River. Crossing the river, it then heads upstream to the Salmo Cabin and then ascends toward Snowy Top Mountain and intersects the Shedroof Divide trail.

The Salmo-Priest wilderness is northeastern Washington's only wilderness area. It's home to wolves, moose, elk, even the occasional grizzly! An interesting side note is that at the river crossing an old smugglers trail heads downstream into Canada. We won't be working on this trail.

What to Expect

We'll have fun, work hard and make a difference!

Project Description

The focus of this trip will be to clear the Salmo Basin trail from the trailhead to the Shedroof Divide. We will start by dropping 1700 feet to the South Salmo River to make our initial camp.

Then, we'll ford the river and head toward the Shedroof Divide and camp at either Salmo Cabin or at the Crutch Creek crossing. Depending how far we get, we will either exit along the Shedroof Divide or return the way we came in.

The work will focus on logout and brushing but we will also tackle any major tread or drainage issues we run across.

Camping and Hiking Information

• Type: multiple backcountry basecamps
• Location: South Salmo River and either Salmo Cabin or upper Crutch Creek crossing, and beyond as conditions allow
• Weather: Be prepared for variable conditions including heat, cold, wind and rain

• Initial hike to camp: 3.5 miles with a 1700-foot elevation drop at a moderate pace while carrying a backpack fully loaded with all provisions including camping gear and food, plus WTA-provided tools.
• Distance to additional camps varies by trail conditions.
• Expected daily hike to project: Up to 6 miles roundtrip and 1500 feet of gain over moderately steep terrain.
• Total mileage for trip: up to 20 miles if loop completed

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, break camp, and head 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 at next camp by 4:00 or 5:00 PM to set up 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 work or hiking boots. Review our Logout Boot Guide for more details.
• Work gloves 
• Eye protection (glasses, sunglasses, safety glasses, or mesh “bug eyes”. Glasses should have wrapping side shields. ANSI Z87.1+)
• Long pants
• Long sleeve 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

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Partners

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