Other Project Opportunities
Learn more about volunteering on a PCT crew by calling
(916) 285-1838 or email volunteer@pcta.org.
See the complete list of Pacific Crest Trail volunteer opportunities in California, Oregon, and Washington at pcta.org.
July 23-29 Skyline Crew at McKenzie Pass
Camping Type: Car/tent
Fitness Level: Moderate
McKenzie pass is a unique lava-scape with striking views of Mt Washington and the Three Sisters. Like puzzle pieces, small rocks must be fit together to refurbish a safe treadway through the rough lava. Enjoy a day off in the middle of the week-long tour to lounge around camp or explore the beautiful area on your own. McKenzie Pass is a site of interesting pioneer history. Swimming is possible in Lava Camp Lake.
Aug. 5-11 Skyline Crew at Sisters Mirror Lake
Camping Type: Backcountry
Fitness Level: Moderate-Difficult
Contribute to this ongoing effort to repair braided and rutted tread in the vicinity of beautiful Sisters Mirror Lake, Three Sisters Wilderness. Pack in to a backcountry campsite with the assistance of pack animals, and enjoy a day off in the middle of the week-long tour to lounge around camp or explore the beautiful area on your own. There's great swimming and lots of side-trails to other lakes and peaks in the area.
Aug. 12-18 Muddy Fork with ACE Crew
Camping Type: Backcountry
Fitness Level: Moderate-Difficult
High on the side of Mt. Hood, Ramona Falls drapes across a stair-stepped cliff of columnar basalt. The very popular trail to the shady grotto of this cascade starts out in a mossy alder forest beside the Sandy River's bouldery outwash plain. A loop trail to the falls follows a portion of the Pacific Crest Trail. (From William Sullivan's hiking guide). We'll be working to reconstruct a section of the PCT connector trail that's subject to annual rockslides and erosion. Come prepared to dig dirt and move rocks.
Aug. 18-24 Skyline Crew at Jefferson Park
Camping Type: Backcountry
Fitness Level: Moderate-Difficult
Help our volunteer crew give this section of PCT near Jefferson Park a drainage overhaul. Fragile subalpine meadows such as these are prone to impacts from braiding and erosion. We will reconstruct waterbars and turnpikes, and re-bench rutted tread. Pack in to a backcountry campsite with the assistance of pack animals, and enjoy a day off in the middle of the week-long tour to lounge around camp or explore the beautiful area on your own. There are beautiful lakes, great swimming, and views of Mt Jefferson. Volunteers will be only a few miles from one of the highest points on the PCT in Oregon (Park Ridge). Be on the lookout - PCT thru-hikers are coming through this time of year!
Aug. 23-29 Park Ridge with ACE Crew
Camping Type: Backcountry
Fitness Level: Moderate-Difficult
High on Mt Jefferson, amidst the subalpine wildflowers, help our crew give this section near Breitenbush Lake a drainage overhaul. We will be correcting trail braids, restoring vegetation, re-benching tread, and armoring it with rock. We will also build a rock cairn or two because this section is above tree line and often snow-covered. One of the highest points on the PCT in Oregon! Enjoy the beautiful ponds and views of Mt Jefferson.
Aug. 30-Sept. 5 Skyline Crew at Irish and Taylor Lakes
Camping Type: Backcountry
Fitness Level: Moderate-Difficult
Join us in this quiet, little-known section of the PCT that's dotted with blue mountain lakes. We will repair all kinds of tread erosion problems and build drainage structures with log and rock. Enjoy a day off in the middle of the week-long tour to lounge about camp or explore the beautiful area on your own. There are beautiful lakes, great swimming, huckleberries and wildlife, and maybe even some late-season PCT thru-hikers
Sept. 3-9 North Diamond with ACE Crew
Camping Type: Backcountry
Fitness Level: Moderate-Difficult
In the forested expanse of mountain hemlock north of Diamond Peak, join this crew in a drainage overhaul of the PCT. We'll be re-benching the tread, reconstructing waterbars, dips, and armoring the tread with rocks. Campsite is at a beautiful set of spring-fed ponds reflecting Diamond Peak, with stunning views of the Cascade range to the north.
Sept. 11-17 Skyline Crew at Zigzag Canyon
Camping Type: Backcountry
Fitness Level: Moderate-Difficult
High on the flanks of Mount Hood, Zigzag Canyon is a truly dynamic landscape. Join this crew helping to carve the PCT back into the hillside where the shifting volcanic rubble challenges the treadway. Work will include rebenching, drainage structures, and possible cribbing. Pack in to a backcountry campsite with the assistance of pack animals, and enjoy a day off in the middle of the week-long tour to lounge around camp or explore the beautiful area on your own. There's huckleberries, incredible subalpine meadows, and open views of other nearby peaks. Some late-season thru-hikers may be coming through. Don't forget to check out the the Historic Timberline Lodge on your way in or out.
Sept. 23-28 Skyline Crew at Olallie Lake
Camping Type: Car/tent
Fitness Level: Moderate-Difficult
Under the gaze of Mt Jefferson, help repair eroded tread in the rocky terrain near Olallie Lake. Enjoy a day off in the middle of the week-long tour to lounge around camp or explore the beautiful area on your own. There's huckleberries, great views of Mt Jefferson, crisp autumn air, and lack of mosquitoes (best time of the year to visit Olallie Lake)!
June 29-30 South of Santiam Pass and into Mt Washington
Camping Type: Car/tent
It is time to volunteer. As many of you have heard, I am planning a weekend trail crew S. of Santiam Pass and into the Mount Washington area on Saturday, June 29, 2013. On that day we will be doing tread maintenance in the form of deberming and brushing the Trail near the Ray Benson Snow Park. Those that wish can campout in the Snow Park’s parking area (or return the next day), and on Sunday, July 1, we will clear the Trail using x-cut saws going S. up into the Mt. Washington Wilderness. That day will be slightly shorter because of possible heat, likely quitting about 1:30 pm. Because I am having two and possible three experienced stewards assist me in this project (at least on Saturday), I believe that we can take 15-20 people to do light brushing and the tread protection work. No experience is needed to do this work, as we will train you during the project.. If you have had any Trail College classes, that will be a plus, but not necessary. The round trip distance will be 2-3 miles for Saturday’s work, with little altitude change from the parking area. Please contact me directly at the number below or be responding to this email.
Because of the variability of number of instructors, the initial sign up sheet will be for 15 volunteers, but others will go on a waiting list. Also, the scheduled start time for Saturday’s outing will be 10 am in the Ray Benson Snow Park parking area, east end. On Sunday, we will start at 9 am for the x-cut work. Two people have already committed to attending, so please hurry, but if you are unsure that you can make it, please do not sign up until you can commit to it. Also, if I have multiple people coming from areas, I may try to put them in touch with each other to arrange car pooling.
Hope to see many of you who have not done a lot trail work on this outing, as it is one of the most accessible on our section of the PCT.
To Bring- Gloves, long sleeve shirt and pants, eye-protection and sturdy gloves, if you have them. Also your normal food and water. And if you are staying to camp Saturday night, all of your camping equipment and meals, I will provide tools, unless your tool is approved for use by me at the site. Call or respond if you have any questions.
Bill Carpenter
Mid-Oregon Vol. Coordinator
c-541-521-1638
