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Moran State Park

Day Work Party

Fri Mar 13, 2026: 9:00 AM — 3:30 PM

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Region

Puget Sound and Islands — Orcas Island

Features: Camping Available

Crew Leader: Mike Bellis

View approaching top of Constitution. Photo by bentley-edelman.

Overview

Spend a day or three enjoying the tranquil beauty and slower pace of majestic Orcas Island while helping to improve Moran State Parks iconic trails!

About the Area

A visit to Moran State Park is a rite of passage for generations of Washingtonians. Home to Mount Constitution, the highest point in the San Juan Islands, the park offers endless opportunity for exploration on its freshwater lakes and miles of forested trail. Mount Constitution is accessible via vehicle, but reaching the expansive summit vistas on foot via the Mountain Lake Trail may bring more satisfaction.

What to Expect

We'll have fun, work hard and make a difference! No experience is necessary.

Project Description

There is a variety of work to be done along the popular Cascade Lake loop, Mountain Lake, and other locations in the Park. There is, of course, plenty of brush to cut, drainage to improve, and tread to widen, flatten and regrade.

Hiking Information

Our hike to the project site is expected to be 2-4 miles roundtrip over gently rolling terrain.

Camping Information

There will be bunkhouse space at Camp Moran (indoor cabins, lodge space with kitchen) available Thursday evening - Sunday morning! More information will be provided by email.

Schedule

  • 8:30 AM: Get off the ferry on Orcas Island, drive to Camp Moran at Moran State Park.
  • 9:00 AM: Be ready to sign in and meet the crew, rain or shine! Gather for a safety briefing, then hike to the project site
  • Morning: Work at your own pace, and take breaks throughout the day
  • 12:00 PM: Lunch on the trail
  • Afternoon: Consider trying a new task before wrapping up the day's work
  • 3:30 PM: Sign out after enjoying refreshments at the trailhead

For safety reasons, arriving late or leaving early is not allowed.

Planning Information

Get ready for a great day outside!

What it Takes to Do This Work Party

  • No experience is necessary—just bring a great attitude for working with a team! WTA provides the training and tools you need
  • Expect to be physically active at your own pace for up to 6 hours on uneven terrain
  • Recommended for ages 10 and older; under 14 must be accompanied by an adult and a parental consent form must be signed for anyone under 18

What to Wear

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. 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.

What to Bring

  • Lunch and plenty of water
  • Rain jacket and pants
  • Extra warm clothing in case of wet or cold weather
  • A pack to carry your personal gear
  • A sense of fun and adventure for learning new skills and meeting great people!

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.

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Partners

Directions

Take the Washington State Ferry from Anacortes to Orcas Island. From the Orcas ferry landing follow Orcas Road (Horseshoe Highway) 9 miles north to the village of Eastsound. Turn right (east) onto Main Street which becomes Crescent Beach Drive. In a little over a mile, you'll come to a T intersection. Turn right (south) onto Olga Road and proceed 3.25 miles to Moran State Park, passing through the entrance arch. Once through the park entrance arch, continue for about a mile and look for the sign that says Camp Moran and turn right into that driveway. We'll be meet at Camp Moran to carpool to the trail head from there.

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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Carpool

Find a ride, give a ride with people who also want to carpool.