Overview

Take a rewarding trip to the heart of the Olympic Mountains. Follow the Upper Dungeness River trail into the Buckhorn Wilderness on the dry side of the Olympics. This is the way to popular Marmot Pass and it needs a lot of love to get it ready for the hundreds of visitors who come each year.

About the Area

The Dungeness River Valley, a deep cut groove between the Gray Wolf and Quilcene drainages, is in the Olympic rain shadow. The route follows the river, for the first 3.2 miles to Camp Handy and draws many hikers trying to escape the rain.

From there it ascends toward the high country of the Buckhorn Wilderness and at 6.1 miles reaches Boulder Camp. From there you can continue upwards towards Marmot or Constance Pass.

What to Expect

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

Project Description

This crew's main project is restoring sections of trail that have been damaged by recent slides, storms and river erosion. But, we'll also work on other annual maintenance issues encountered including clearing drains, removing overgrown vegetation, and perhaps even cutting logs off the trail.

Camping and Hiking Information

• Type: Backcountry basecamp
• Location: Camp Handy 3.2 miles with 600 feet of elevation gain
• Weather: Be prepared for variable conditions including heat, cold, wind and rain

• Initial hike to camp: 3.2 miles with 600 feet of elevation gain at a moderate pace while carrying your backpack fully loaded with all provisions including camping gear and food, plus WTA-provided tools.
• Expected daily hike to project: Up to 3.2 mile hike each day with 1050ft elevation gain

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

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