Grindstone/Westboundary
Backcountry Response Team
Mon Jun 8, 2026 8:30 AM — Wed Jun 10, 2026 3:30 PM
Sign in to My Backpack
Region
Mount Rainier Area — NW - Carbon River/Mowich
Overview
A front country camping experience in a very exclusive area. This is an incredible opportunity to access a part of Mount Rainier National Park that is closed to the public.
About the Area
Our work in this area is done in partnership with the Mt. Rainier National Parks Service. This used to be one of the few areas that allowed you access to Mt. Rainier without a fee. That was until the Fairfax Bridge was closed due to structural deterioration. In spite of this closure, our work on these trails continues. Many are wondering why we are still focusing efforts here due to the inability to access these trails. No matter how long it takes to reopen access to this area, we should do what we can to make sure these trails don't become lost. Then when access is restored, recreation can continue seamlessly!
What to Expect
We'll have fun, work hard and make a difference! No experience is necessary.
Project Description
We will perform annual maintenance of trails in the area such as the Grindstone Trail and West Boundary Trail. Maintenance will include improving the tread walking surface, digging drains, and removing vegetation overgrowth.
Camping and Hiking Information
Participants will camp near the worksite at a designated campground. Car camping is an option as well as tent camping. Water filtration will be required, please bring a filtration system with you.
- Daily drive to trailhead will be a few miles and hike to work sites will be approximately 2-4 miles roundtrip
- Trail grade will be approximately 12-15%, begin with a downhill hike and require an uphill hike at the end of the day
Schedule
Day One: Meet the crew rain or shine, in Wilkeson. Drive to the trailhead and hike in after a safety briefing. Begin work on the project. Hike back to the cars at the end of the day and travel to camp site for set up
Day 2: Make breakfast and pack a lunch before heading out to the trailhead 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/drive out and say goodbye to the crew in Wilkeson.
For safety reasons, arriving late or leaving early is not allowed.
Planning Information
Get ready for a front country camping adventure! You can car camp or tent camp. It's the ultimate choose your own adventure in an exclusive area.
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
- Supplies for a day pack, gear for front country camping, and food for multiple days/nights
- 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
- Contact us at volunteer@wta.org
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.
Join WaitlistPartners
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.
You must be part of this crew and have a My Backpack account to see the Crew Corner.
Sign in to My BackpackWhat is Crew Corner?
Crew Message Board
Stay on top of this work party’s messages.
Carpool
Find a ride, give a ride with people who also want to carpool.