Overview

Spend 6 days repairing trails in the dramatic hills above glittering Lake Chelan! You'll work alongside blooming balsamroot in a recovering landscape. The Chelan-Sawtooth Wilderness was hit hard by the 2024 Pioneer Fire, closing the Lakeshore Trail and connecting trails for several months. This crew will be boated uplake and hike to a backcountry camp 4.5 miles above Prince Creek landing.

About the Area

Lake Chelan is one of the wonders of the Pacific Northwest. It is one of the longest, narrowest and deepest lakes in North America, a true fjord. Along its impressive north shore in the Chelan-Sawtooth Wilderness, the Lakeshore trail extends for 15 miles along the lake from the remote hamlet of Stehekin south to Prince Creek.

From the Lakeshore Trail the Purple Pass, Fish Creek, and Prince Creek trails climb toward the Sawtooth Crest, giving access to miles of ridgeline hiking and the Twisp and Methow Valleys to the north.

Your adventure begins by boarding a Forest Service-provided boat for the ride uplake to Prince Creek and hiking to your backcountry campsite. The hike is strenuous and requires carefully traversing washouts on an unmaintained trail.

What to Expect

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

Project Description

This crew will focus on rebuilding tread on the Prince Creek trail as it climbs up steep hillsides from the Lakeshore Trail. They will spend most of their time using hand tools to build or repair sturdy walking tread, digging drainage structures, and removing debris and rocks from the trail. They may also build rock supporting rock structures.

While the primary focus is tread work, this crew may also use hand saws and crosscut saws to remove fallen trees. No experience with these tools is required. One of our certified Assistant Crew Leaders will teach you how to use them safely.

Camping and Hiking Information

• Type: Backcountry camp
• Location: Junction of Prince Creek and East Fork Prince Creek
• Bathroom: backcountry latrine
• Weather: Be prepared for variable conditions including heat, cold, wind and rain

• Hike to camp: about 4.5 miles, 2000 feet of elevation gain. Strenuous. Note this trail has several washed out sections and requires traversing steep terrain. There is also a river crossing that requires wading, so bring water shoes.
• Expected daily hike to project: 2-6 miles roundtrip with 1000 feet of gain at a moderate pace while carrying your day pack. 

Schedule

• Day 1: Meet the crew rain or shine. Follow Forest Service instructions to load your gear on the boat and enjoy a ride uplake to basecamp.
• 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 (required for crosscut use) –review our Logout Boot Guide for more details.
• Long sleeved shirt (required for crosscut use)

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 and/or sturdy closed toed 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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