Overview

Join this crew to give some much needed love to a hidden gem trail in the Norse Peak Wilderness! The crew will camp in the meadows of Crow Creek Lake, a lovely valley lake with views of Fifes Ridge and surrounding hills. The Norse Creek wilderness was hit hard by a large wildfire in 2017. This crew will hike through stands of live trees and see the forest slowly recovering. There are hundreds of trees on the Crow Creek trail, so this crew will get plenty of saw time as they work through the jumble.

About the Area

The Norse Peak Wilderness offers a scenic escape into the rugged heart of the Cascades. This high-country area features sweeping ridgelines, alpine forests, and expansive views of Mount Rainier.

A network of trails winds through the wilderness, connecting deep valleys with open ridges and historic fire lookouts.

Much of the area was impacted by the 2017 Norse Peak Fire, which burned over 50,000 acres. While signs of the fire remain, the landscape is steadily recovering. Hikers can witness the natural renewal of the forest, with wildflowers, young trees, and open vistas now replacing once-dense stands of fir and pine.

What to Expect

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

Project Description

This crew will focus primarily on removing fallen trees using crosscut saws, hand saws, and axes. Most of the fallen trees are partially burned. The crew may also spend time pruning back overgrown vegetation and repairing damaged tread. Expect dusty conditions with lots of sun exposure.

Camping and Hiking Information

• Backcountry basecamp
• Location: Crow Creek Lake
• Bathroom: backcountry latrine
• Weather: Be prepared for heat, cold, wind and rain. Be prepared for possible freezing temperatures at night

• Expected hike to camp: 4 miles with 1300 feet elevation loss Expected daily hike: up to 4-8 miles roundtrip with about 1000 feet elevation change

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 work or hiking boots. Review our Logout Boot Guide for more details.
• Work gloves 
• Eye protection (glasses, sunglasses, safety glasses, or mesh “bug eyes”. Glasses should have wrapping side shields. ANSI Z87.1+)
• Long pants
• Long sleeve shirt

Required for Chainsaw Use: 

• Sturdy work or hiking boots that are “cut resistant” or leather, laced boots that provide ankle support and nonskid soles. 

A hard hat will be provided by WTA. For chainsaw use, volunteers will be provided with additional PPE (eye protection, ear pro, gloves, and chainsaw chaps). For safety reasons, volunteers who do not have required gear 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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