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Rainier - Mowich Lake

Volunteer Vacation

Thu Sep 24, 2026 3:30 PM — Wed Sep 30, 2026 11:00 AM

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Region

Mount Rainier Area — NW - Carbon River/Mowich

Crew Leader: Hannah Callan

Views of Rainier and Eunice Lake from near Tolmie Peak Lookout. Photo by Lisa Elliott.

Overview

This crew will get to spend a week completing critical trailwork around Mowich Lake Campground, a once popular spot that is now inaccesible to the public due to the closure of the Fairfax Bridge. National Park Staff will guide the crew through the alternate route and the crew will drive to Mowich Lake where they'll share the campground only with backcountry campers who hiked to Mowich. Although access is limited, it's important for National Park crews and WTA to stay on top of annual maintenance on this side of the park.

Note: The Crew will likely meet in Wilkeson and commute together through the alternate route. Exact meet up details will be sent out closer to the trip.

About the Area

The Northwest corner of Mount Rainier National Park is filled with interesting trails including access to Carbon Glacier, the lowest elevation glacier in the continental US. It provides access to 2 popular camping areas, Mowich Lake and the Carbon Creek/Ipsut Creek area. Unfortuantely, since the Fairfax Bridge was indefinetely closed in 2025, this area is no longer accessible by car. Hikers can still get to these trails by hiking long miles from other access points. WTA is partnering with park staff to continue maintaining these trails while the bridge is closed. Park staff lead crews through the alternate access route, allowing us to get some work done.

What to Expect

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

Project Description

The exact project will be determined closer to the trip. This crew may work on several trails including: Wonderland Trail, Spray Park, and Tolmie Peak trail. They will complete general annual maintenance including removing overgrown vegetation, cutting out fallen logs, and repairing the tread.

Camping and Hiking Information

  • Type: Frontcountry
  • Location: Mowich Lake Campground
  • Shower: None
  • Bathroom: Pit Toilet/Outhouse
  • Weather: Be prepared for variable conditions including heat, cold, wind and rain
  • Hike to camp: none
  • Daily hike to work: 3-6 miles roundtrip with up to 1500 feet elevation change

Schedule

  • Day 1 (Thurs): Meet the crew rain or shine, and then set up camp
  • 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 camping gear:

  • WTA hard hat
  • Work gloves
  • Tent, sleeping bag and sleeping pad
  • 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!

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.

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Partners

Directions

Due to the Fairfax bridge closure, we will be using an alternate route to travel to the trailhead. We will meet in Wilkeson in the Town Hall Parking lot and then caravan to the trailhead past a locked gate. Driving to the trailhead will take at most 1.5 hours from Wilkeson. The private logging road we are using as our alternate route is in fairly good condition. Once off the logging road (approx. 30 minutes) we will drive on the Mowich road up to the West Boundary Trailhead. This road is in more rough condition. It has potholes and some wash boarding. Lower clearance vehicles have made it through but might take more time. The drive on this road takes 40-60 minutes. Carpooling in an NPS vehicle is subject to availability.


**Disclaimer: Getting tow trucks and service out to vehicles is difficult due to the bridge closure and limited gate access. Getting these services will be costly and take more time than usual. It is highly encouraged to have a vehicle maintenance kit with you. Items to repair a flat tire or a dead car battery. Always better to be safe than sorry!


Town Hall address: 540 Church St, Wilkeson, WA 98396

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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Carpool

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