Overview

Join WTA in the Blue Mountains of southeast Washington. We'll have a fairly short hike to our basecamp at the junction of Panjab and Turkey Creek trails, and then spend each day working out of our basecamp on a wide variety of tasks: logout, brushing, tread repair, and drainage improvements.

About the Area

The Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness is in the Blue Mountains of southeastern Washington and northeastern Oregon and contains 200 miles of trails. It is characterized by rugged basaltic ridges separated by deep canyons with steep side slopes.

Plant communities vary widely, from Pacific yew along the drainages to bunchgrass meadows and subalpine areas of lodgepole pine and subalpine fir in the highest reaches. Wildlife species you may spot include elk, bighorn sheep, deer, black bear, cougar, coyote, wolves and pine martens.

What to Expect

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

Project Description

This trip will mainly focus on annual maintenance needs along Panjab and Turkey Creek trails, including log-out, brushing, tread work, and drainage repair.

Camping and Hiking Information

• Type: Backcountry basecamp
• Location: Camp will be located at the junction of Panjab Trail and Turkey Creek Trail. There is running water near camp.
• Weather: Be prepared for variable conditions including heat, cold, wind and rain

• Hike to camp: approximately 1 mile.
• Expected daily hike to project: 5-6 miles roundtrip with 2500’ gain at a moderate pace
• Other: Turkey Creek trail crosses Turkey Creek in several locations, so having some water crossing shoes might be a good idea.

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 be physically active for about 8-9 hours daily on uneven terrain 
• Camping 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

---

Partners

•