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Chatter Creek Guard Station

Volunteer Vacation

Thu Jul 23, 2026 3:00 PM — Wed Jul 29, 2026 3:00 PM

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Region

Central Cascades — Leavenworth Area

Features: Earn Northwest Forest Pass

Crew Leader: Hannah Callan

Views of Cashmere Mountain and the Icicle Creek valley from the near Fourth of July Pass. Photo by Seattle-Amy

Overview

Join this crew to spend a week working on trails in the popular Icicle Creek area while camping near a private, historic Forest Service Guard Station. This is a unique opportunity to camp at a secluded camp in a popular area and work on a variety of trails. While the trails in the Icicle Creek area are quite steep, they wander through nice forests and wildflower slopes with stellar views of neighboring ridges including the Enchantments area. Whether you're new to camping or looking for a comfy basecamp, this is a great trip for you!

About the Area

The Icicle Creek area is part of the stunning Alpine Lakes Wilderness area. Stocked with craggy peaks reminiscent of the Alps, vividly-blue lakes, and staggering vistas, this area draws hikers every year. Winter storms and visitation takes their toll, and we need your help to keep the trails here safe and hikeable.

You'll work in the shadow of impressive mountains and surrounded by some of the best vistas in Washington. You don't want to miss this one.

What to Expect

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

Project Description

This crew will work on a variety of trails in the Icicle Creek region that may include: Chatter Creek, Fourth of July Creek, Lake Victoria, or Icicle Creek. Your crew leader will share more project information closer to the trip.

You can expect to do a variety of general trail maintenance including pruning back overgrown vegetation, reparing the walking tread, or digging drainage channels. This crew may also use crosscut saws, hand saws, or axes to remove fallen logs from the trail.

Camping and Hiking Information

  • Type: Car camp
  • Shower: None
  • Weather: Be prepared for variable conditions including heat, cold, wind and rain
  • Hike to camp: none
  • Expected daily hike to project: 4-8 miles roundtrip with 1,200-1,500 feet of gain at a moderate pace

Schedule

  • Day 1 (Thurs): Meet the crew rain or shine, then help setup camp
  • Day 2-3(Fri-Sat): Trail work day. Gather for breakfast (7:00 AM) then hike 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
  • Final Day (Wed): 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 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, food and tools
  • Good physical condition to be physically active for about 7 hours daily on uneven terrain
  • Backpacking experience recommended
  • 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. 


Camping gear

  • Backpack or duffel to carry all of the items below
  • Water shoes for stream crossings or swimming in the river
  • Tent, sleeping bag and sleeping pad
  • At least two 1-liter water bottles; hot drink cup optional
  • 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
  • Lunch and snacks for Day 1 hike in
  • A sense of fun and adventure!

Trail work gear

  • Your WTA hard hat if you already have one
  • Boots
  • Long pants
  • Work gloves
  • Long-sleeved shirt recommended
  • Eye protection recommended (glasses, sunglasses or safety glasses)
  • Day pack (optional)

A hard hat will be provided by WTA if you don't have one (let your crew leader know). For safety reasons, shorts and sneakers are not allowed while working. Firearms and weapons are not allowed.

More Information

From the Hiking Guide

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

This is a preview. Registration will open soon.

Partners

Directions

From the Wenatchee area: Head west on US 2 towards Leavenworth. Travel through town, then turn left (south) on Icicle Creek Road (Forest Service Road 7600) and follow it 15 miles to the Chatter Creek Guard Station, on your right. Last ~2.5 miles is dirt road. 


From the Puget Sound area: Drive east on US 2 towards Leavenworth. Just before entering Leavenworth, as you leave Tumwater Canyon, turn right (south) onto Icicle Creek Road (Forest Service Road 7600) and follow it 15 miles and the Chatter Creek Guard Station, on your right. Last ~2.5 miles is dirt road. 

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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