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Cape Disappointment - Coastal Forest Loop

Volunteer Vacation

Thu May 7, 2026 1:00 PM — Wed May 13, 2026 11:00 AM

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Region

Southwest — Long Beach Area

Features: Earn Discover Pass

Crew Leader: Hannah Callan

Views of Baker Bay from the Coastal Forest Loop. Photo by Anna Roth.

Overview

Join this crew to spend a week doing beachside trailwork in Cape Disappointment State Park while staying in historic lodging in nearby Fort Columbia State Park. This crew will build on the work of other day work parties to construct stairs on the Coastal Forest Loop trail. Volunteers will stay in the historic Scarborough and Steward houses in the nearby Fort Columbia State Park where they will make meals together.

About the Area

There are a plethora of small trails at Cape Disappointment, but this one may be the least well-known. Tucked off of Spur Road 100, the opposite direction from the camping area, the Coastal Forest Loop offers a chance to experience the signature environment of this area in either a half mile or mile and a half loop. Be sure to snag the brochure offered at the park office with interpretive information corresponding to posts along the way.

What to Expect

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

Project Description

This crew will continue construction work on stairs on the far side of the loop. This will require a lot of hauling gravel using heavy equipment like motorized wheelbarrows (toters) and plenty of manual hauling using buckets and straps.

Construction will use electric and gas powered drills and saws. It's a slow process to get everything level and properly set. There is also lots of dirt work to be done to prepare soil for stairs.

The crew may also do general annual maintenance on the trail including: pruning back overgrown vegetation, digging draingage channels, and repairing the walking surface.


Camping and Hiking Information

  • Location: Fort Columbia State Park: Scarborough House and Steward's House
  • The houses have a total of 6 bedrooms with a combination of queen/twin size beds. Volunteers may be required to share rooms.
  • Due to State Park regulations, camping in vehicles or tents outside of the houses is not permitted.
  • Bathroom/Shower available
  • Coastal Loop Trail is 1.4 miles total
  • The project is on the far side of the loop and may require several trips to haul materials

Schedule

  • Day 1 (Thurs): Meet the crew rain or shine, and then set up camp. Scout the project and possibly start some work.
  • Day 2-3 (Fri-Sat): Trail work day. Gather for breakfast (7:00 AM) then hike or drive to the project site (8:00 AM). Work at your own pace, take plenty of breaks and enjoy lunch on the trail. By 3:00 PM, hike back to camp to enjoy snacks and unwind before dinner (6:00 PM). Help with a different camp chore each day including meal preparation and cleanup.
  • Day 4 (Sun): Day off to relax and explore your beautiful surroundings
  • Day 5-6 (Mon-Tue): Trail work day
  • Day 7 (Wed): Break down camp, head out and say goodbye

For safety reasons, arriving late or leaving early is not allowed.

Planning Information

Get ready for a great vacation!

What it Takes to Do This Work Party

  • A great attitude for working with a team
  • Camping gear and trail work gear; WTA provides training, tools and great food
  • Good physical condition to be physically active for about 7 hours daily on uneven terrain
  • 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 hart 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 the items listed above, bring the following personal gear:

  • WTA hard hat
  • Work gloves
  • At least two 1-liter water bottles and a coffee mug
  • 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
  • Day pack recommended
  • A sense of fun and adventure for learning new skills and meeting great people!

State Park Lodging will provide bed linens, pillows, and towels. You are welcome to bring additional towels and blankets if you see fit. All cooking equipment will be provided by WTA to cook inside the house.


A hard hat will be provided by WTA if you do not already have a WTA provided hart 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

From the Hiking Guide

See what WTA's hiking guide and trip reports say about this area.

A My Backpack account is required. You will be asked to register or log in before you can join.

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Partners

Directions

These directions will take you not the the hiking trailhead but to the area where you have lodging available. Unless you have made other arrangements with your crew leader, you will meet there, at the Scarborough House, before heading to work each morning.


From Seattle: Take I-5 south to Olympia, SR 8 west to Montesano. From there, take U.S. Hwy. 101 south toward Ilwaco. It is usually faster to take a left on Highway 4 and then a right on Highway 401, pass the Astoria-Megler Bridge, and then rejoin Highway 101. It is 2.7 miles from the Astoria-Megler Bridge to Fort Colmbia State Park, which is on your left.


From Portland/Vancouver: Take I-5 north to Longview, take exit 36 to Hwy 432, Cross the Columbia River on Hwy 433 and follow OR 30 to Astoria. Take Hwy 101 north across the river and on toward Ilwaco. It is 2.7 miles from the Astoria-Megler Bridge to Fort Colmbia State Park, which is on your left.


Once you're in the park, take your first left onto Columbia Lane, and then take the SECOND right turn available. Look for Scarborough House, which is labeled. Parking passes will be inside the house for you.

Note: Please follow the written directions above instead of using a GPS device. This will ensure that you get to the correct meeting location for this work party. The location of the pinpoint below is only approximate.

Getting to WTA work parties can involve travel on rough, unpaved roads in areas without cellular service and without street addresses that can be accurately used by navigation devices. Unless specifically noted otherwise, routes can generally be traveled by all types of vehicles. Volunteers with limited experience driving on unpaved mountain roads may want to allow extra time, beyond what is recommended in the directions above, to get to the meeting location.

Fees

Trip fee for WTA members: $300.00

Trip fee for non-members: $350.00

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Cancellation Policy

  • If you paid the WTA member fee of $300, there is a $30 cancellation fee for cancellations more than 30 days prior to the trip, and no refund for cancellations within 30 days of the trip.
  • If you paid the WTA non-member fee of $350, there is a $70 cancellation fee for cancellations more than 30 days prior to the trip, and no refund for cancellations within 30 days of the trip. You will retain your one-year membership to WTA.

Required Documentation

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