Overview

The Bogachiel River Valley is one of the beautiful and lush temperate rainforests on the west slope of the Olympic Mountains. Big trees, big ferns, and big rivers dominate. Come out and help us make this trail a bit more sustainable.

About the Area

Explore a lush temperate rain forest on a moderate hike through old growth, hanging mosses, fern, maple, and wetlands. The Bogachiel is one of four Olympic rainforest valleys.

The trail provides a great opportunity to view old-growth rainforest in a wetland setting. The Bogachiel River can be accessed at many points along the trail which starts in the national forest and continues into Olympic National Park.

The trail follows the main stem and then north fork of the Bogachiel River for many miles then climbs into the high country eventually reaching the divide with the Sol Duc watershed.

What to Expect

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

Project Description

Our crew will focus on building turnpikes through low-lying and wet sections of the trail, raising the tread surface, and keeping future hikers' feet dry.

Camping and Hiking Information

• Type: Backcountry basecamp
• Location: 1.5 miles from trailhead near the Bogachiel River
• Weather: Be prepared for variable conditions including heat, cold, wind and rain

• Hike to camp: 1.5 miles with no 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: less than 1 mile roundtrip over flat terrain at a moderate pace while carrying 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
• 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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