Overview

Join this crew for some much needed trailwork on a very primitive trail. Hatchery Creek trail provides access to some very remote peaks and lakes of the Chiwaukum Mountains. It is a popular trail with long-distance backpackers but it has not been reguarly maintained in a while. This crew will pick up where the WTA professional crew left off and continue removing logs and overgrown brush from the trail. They may camp at the trailhead for 1-2 nights then push up to a backcountry campsite. This trip is marked strenuous because it requires being comfortable traveling on very primitive trail, crossing many logs, and pushing through dense brush.

About the Area

The Hatchery Creek Trail is a quiet, back-country route near Leavenworth that offers a true sense of solitude for hikers willing to navigate its rugged terrain. While the path is often crowded with downed trees and overgrowth from past wildfires, it serves as a vital gateway to a vast network of high-alpine trails within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. The trail connects with the Badlands Trail and the lengthy Icicle Ridge Trail. These connections allow ambitious backpackers to link up with remote spots like Lake Augusta, or even create long loops toward Chiwaukum Creek and the Painter Creek drainage.

What to Expect

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

Project Description

This crew will work on recovering this severely overgrown trail. This will involve using loppers and hand saws to cut back overgrown brush. The crew may also use crosscut saws, hand saws, and axes to clear fallen logs from the trail. No experience with these tools is required. One of our certified Assistant Crew Leaders will teach you how to use them safely.

Work will vary depending on seasonal conditions and other crews. Your crew leader will send out more detailed project information closer to the trip.

Camping and Hiking Information

• This crew may spend 1-2 nights at the trailhead before pushing up to a backcountry camp.
• Type: Backcountry Camp
• Location: Battle Canyon Creek
• Weather: Be prepared for variable conditions including heat, cold, wind and rain
• The backcountry campsite is very small so this trip is limited to 10 people.

• Initial hike to camp: about 5-7 miles with 2000 feet of gain at a moderate pace while carrying your backpack fully loaded with all provisions including camping gear and food, plus WTA-provided tools
•  Expected daily hike: 4-6 miles miles with up to 1000 feet of gain at a moderate pace while carrying your backpack fully loaded with all provisions plus tools
• This crew may spend 1-2 nights at the trailhead before pushing up to a backcountry camp.

Schedule

• Day 1: Meet the crew rain or shine, then hike in, begin work on the project and set up camp
• Day 2+:  Make a lunch and pack up camp 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. Reach camp by 4:00 or 5:00 PM for a relaxing evening. Set up, 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 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.

Backpacking gear

• 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!

Trail work gear

• Boots
• Long pants 
• Work gloves
• Long-sleeved shirt recommended
• Eye protection recommended such as safety glasses
• WTA hard hat (provided, unless you have one)

For safety reasons, shorts and sneakers are not allowed while working. Firearms and weapons are not allowed.

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