Overview

Join this All Womens crew to give some much needed love to the White River Trail in the Glacier Peak Wilderness near Leavenworth. with a group of other women. The White River trail provides access to the PCT but it has not been maintained reguarly for over 20 years. WTA has been sending annual crews to White River since 2023 with the goal of clearing wild brush to make this trail accessible again.

About the Area

The White River gets its name from the glacial flour pouring down from the heights of Foam, Lightning, and Thunder Creeks. The milky blue-white color is a result of suspended rock particles that have been ground down from the peaks over millennia.

The trailhead offers a classic view of the river from a sturdy bridge spanning a narrow gorge in the rocks. Head upstream on the parking lot side of the river to access the White River Trail. Crossing the bridge leads to the Indian Creek trail if you head upstream and the Mount David trail if you go downstream.

What to Expect

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

Project Description

This crew will car camp at a campground near the trailhead and work on annual maintenance on the first 4 miles of trail to the junction. You can expect a variety of trailwork including removing overgrown brush, repairing and improving the walking surface, and digging drainage.

This crew may also use crosscut saws, hand saws, and axes to remove fallen logs from the trail. 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: Car Camp
• Location: White River Falls Campground
• Bathroom: Pit Toilet
• Weather: Be prepared for variable conditions including heat, cold, wind and rain

• Initial hike to camp: none
•  Expected daily hike: 2-5 miles roundtrip with up to 500 feet of elevation gain at a moderate pace while carrying your daypack plus tools.

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 (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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Partners

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