Volunteers needed for local trail maintenance

METALINE FALLS — Join the Washington Trails Association to re-open a long-lost trail, Slate Creek to North Fork Sullivan Creek, Friday, Sept. 11, at 8:30 a.m. — Monday, Sept. 14, 3:30 p.m. With only two formal work parties on this trail in over a decade, there are tremendous maintenance needs, according to WTA staff.

Log-out, brushing needs and tread work will begin as time allows.

The 41,000-acre Salmo-Priest Wilderness is located on the Colville National Forest in the extreme northeast corner of Washington.

Dominated by the Shedroof Divide and Crowell Ridge, this area boasts deep forests as part of the inland temperate rainforest, as well as ridgetop wanders and international views.

Slate Creek serves as a feeder trail to the area, connecting North Fork Sullivan Creek trail to the expansive views found on Crowell Ridge.

Since this trail has seen only two formal trail maintenance crews since 2010, and in that time has experienced two forest fires, this crew can expect the full spectrum of trail projects.

Volunteers will remove logs from the trail, trim back overgrown vegetation, repair the trail and much more.

Camping and Hiking Information

• Type: Backcountry basecamp

• Location: There is a good campsite located at the wilderness boundary, with a water source at Uncas Gulch.

• Weather: Be prepared for variable conditions including heat, cold, wind and rain

• There are severe maintenance needs on this trail.

• The initial hike to camp is 3 miles, with a campsite at the wilderness boundary and a good water source at Uncas Gulch. The hike will be a moderate pace while carrying backpacks fully loaded with all provisions including camping gear and food, plus WTA-provided tools.

• Expected daily hike: Up to 2 miles roundtrip. If possible, volunteers will work all the way to the intersection of Slate Creek and North Fork Sullivan Creek trails.

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 the trail with the crew by 8 a.m.

Work at your own pace, take plenty of breaks and enjoy lunch on the trail. Arrive back in camp by 4 or 5 p.m. for a relaxing evening. Prepare your own dinner and swap stories back and forth with the crew.

Make a lunch and pack up camp before heading out on trail with the crew by 8 a.m. the following day. Again, work at your own pace, take plenty of breaks and enjoy lunch on the trail. Return to camp by 4–5 p.m. 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. Volunteers should bring the following:

• A great attitude for working with a team. WTA provides the training and tools needed 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 Required:

• Sturdy work or hiking boots.

• Work gloves

• Eye protection (glasses, sunglasses, safety glasses, or mesh “bug eyes”; glasses should have wrapping side shields)

• Long pants

• Long sleeve shirt A hard hat will be provided by WTA. For safety reasons, volunteers who do not have required gear will not be able to participate in the work party. Backpacking gear

• Backpack to carry 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 For safety reasons, shorts and sneakers are not allowed while working. Firearms and weapons are not allowed.

For more information, contact [email protected] or 206-625-1367.