Overview

Join this crew for 6 days of trailwork alongside the glittering waters of Lake Chelan. The Chelan-Sawtooth Wilderness was hit hard by the 2024 Pioneer Fire, closing the Lakeshore Trail and connecting trails for several months. The December 2025 floods also caused significant damage.

This crew will be transported uplake by a Forest Service boat and camp at the small Cascade Creek campsite, on the shores of Lake Chelan. They will work on repairing tread and washouts on the Lakeshore trail, possibly catching a ride on a Forest Service boat to get a little farther.

About the Area

Spring on the Chelan Lakeshore Trail features wildflowers and backpackers eager to stretch their legs under the craggy peaks of the North Cascades on this 17-mile trail from Prince Creek to Stehekin, a tiny mountain town unreachable by car.

Your adventure begins by boarding a Forest Service-provided boat for the ride uplake to Cascade Creek. Lakefront campsites offer easy access to the lake and staggering views of the surrounding mountains.

What to Expect

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

Project Description

The crew will work on repairing the iconic Lakeshore Trail. The 2025 atmospheric river caused many drainages to wash out at Lake Chelan, so the crew may spend most of their time rebuilding those sections. They will also likely spend time reparing tread and removing debris from the trail.

While the primary focus is tread work, this crew may also use hand saws and crosscut saws to remove fallen trees. No experience with these tools is required. One of our certified Assistant Crew Leaders will teach you how to use them safely.

Camping and Hiking Information

• Type: Backcountry camp
• Location: Cascade Creek
• Bathroom: pit toilet
• Weather: Be prepared for variable conditions including heat, cold, wind and rain
• Other: Daily shuttles by USFS boat may be needed; lifejackets provided
• This campsite is quite small so the crew size is limited to 10 people. You may be camping in close proximity to other volunteers and hikers.

• Hike to camp: Forest Service boat to rocky shore then about 1/4 mile over uneven rocky terrain
• Expected daily hike to project: 2-6 miles roundtrip with 1000 feet of gain at a moderate pace while carrying your day pack. 

Schedule

• Day 1: Meet the crew rain or shine. Follow Forest Service instructions to load your gear on the boat and enjoy a ride uplake to basecamp.
• 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! We will be getting ferried Uplake by the USFS instead of lady of the lake and we will be meeting at the 25 mile ranger cabin.

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 (required for crosscut use) –review our Logout Boot Guide for more details.
• Long sleeved shirt (required for crosscut use)

A hard hat will be provided by WTA. 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 and/or sturdy closed toed 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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