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Lemah Meadows

Backcountry Response Team

Mon Aug 10, 2026 8:30 AM — Fri Aug 14, 2026 3:30 PM

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Region

Snoqualmie Region — Cle Elum Area

Features: Bridge Building, Earn Northwest Forest Pass

Crew Leader: Hannah Callan

A view from the shore of Pete Lake. Photo by Omicron77.

Overview

This crew will work on reparing a damaged puncheon in Lemah Meadows. Lemah Meadows sits between the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) and popular Pete Lake. The old puncheon needs to be replaced with a new structure that can stand thousands of feet and hooves as a popular access route for the PCT in the iconic Alpine Lakes Wilderness. The crew will enjoy a relatively flat hike to Pete Lake and work on an exciting construction project!

What to Expect

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

Project Description

The primary focus of this crew is to remove and reconstruct a puncheon is a lowlying wooden structure that elevates the trail through muddy sections. This requires demolition, site preparation, and precise construction. Local horse packers will help carry the heaviest materials into the site. The crew may also complete general maintenance on the trail including removing overgrown vegetation, repairing walking tread, and digging drainage channels.

Camping and Hiking Information

  • Type: Backcountry basecamp
  • Location: Pete Lake
  • Bathroom: Backcountry pit toilet
  • Weather: Be prepared for variable conditions including heat, cold, wind and rain
  • Initial hike to camp: 5-6 miles with 600 feet of elevation gain at a moderate pace while carrying your backpack fully loaded with all provisions including camping gear and food, plus tools (provided by WTA).
  •  Expected daily hike: 2-3 miles roundtrip with up to 700 feet of elevation gain at a moderate pace while carrying your daypack plus tools.

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 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, tools and great food
  • 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
  • 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

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 Seattle take US I-90 eastbound to exit 80, Rosyln/Salmon La Sac. Turn left on Bullfrog Road and follow for 2.8 miles. At this traffic circle take the second exit onto WA-903 N/Salmon La Sac Road. Follow WA-903/Salmon La Sac road for 15.5 miles from the traffic circle, going through the towns of Rosyln and Ronald. Turn left on Forest Service Road 46 (Cooper Lake Road) toward Cooper Lake. Cross the Cle Elum river and proceed 4.7 miles to Cooper Lake junction. Turn right onto Cooper Lake Road #4616 and continue 1 mile to the trailhead, trail #1323.

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.

Required Documentation

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