Are you into surprises? This is a mystery BCRT for adventurous spirits.
Our land manager has requested flexibility because though he knows he has a lot of work he needs help with, he's not sure what the highest-priority work will be at this point. It may be logout; it may be a bridge project; it may be miles of treadwork--sign up only if your spirit comes alive with adventure! Total mileage to camp will not exceed 5 miles.
About the Area: The Indian Heavan wilderness is 20,600 acres of broad, rolling country, straddling the crest of the Cascade Range with subalpine meadows and 175 small lakes.
Known to the Native people as "Sahalee Tyee," the area is culturally important to Native Americans. "Indian Heaven" offers visitors wildlife and panoramic views, as well as wildflowers and huckleberries, in season.
**We may not actually be in the Indian Heaven Wilderness, but the most likely options include Indian Heaven or the south side of Mt. Adams**
What to Expect - We'll have fun, work hard and make a difference!
Project Description
Never fear--your crew leader will be in touch as we get more information about where this trip will actually be and what you will actually be doing. What we do know right now is that our Mt. Adams Ranger District staffperson is incredibly short-staffed but has a large list of projects, including bridge repair (if he can get it permitted) and logout that he's hoping for help with. As he gets a sense of what we can move forward with this year, your trip will start to take shape.
Please only register if you are willing to roll with and in fact maybe actively excited about uncertainty!
Camping and Hiking Information
Type: Backcountry basecamp
Location: TBD
Weather: Be prepared for variable conditions including heat, cold, wind and rain
Initial hike to camp: No more than 5 miles with about 1,500 feet of elevation 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 to project: 1-2 miles roundtrip
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 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.
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
WTA's Trail Work Guide introduces the type of work you may do
Contact us at volunteer@wta.org or 206.625.1367
From the Hiking Guide
See what WTA's hiking guide and trip reports say about this area.
A My Backpack account is required. You will be asked to register or log in before you can join.