3 members, 1 leader
8 project weeks with two training weeks
Field Work begins 6/26, ending 8 weeks later or on 8/20
Disaster Relief Funding: Backcountry trail repair on Wolf Creek Trail #527
Duration: 4.5 weeks
Work: Wolf Creek is a 9.8-mile trail in the Chelan Sawtooth Wilderness, which accesses Mt. Gardner and the Gardner Meadows. It was burned in the 2021 Cedar Creek fire, which significantly damaged the tread surface. Damages include sloughing upslope soil, deteriorated critical edge through loss of vegetation, and troubling drainage crossings where stream channels have changed. In 2022, the FS and a Washington Conservation Crops Crew performed significant BAER work on the first 4 miles of the trail. This project will continue that work further up the trail toward Gardner Meadows. The work will be tread repair, installing timber cribbing, checks, and water bars as needed. There may be the need for some logout, though hopefully, the trail should be logged out before the crew arrives.
Camping: There is a large camp at 3 miles up the trail and another option again at 7.4 miles. Ideally, the crew will be able to spend the second half of the project at this further camp. Stock support will be available to transport crew gear and food to the project site and retrieve it at the end of the project. I'm working with the FS and BCHW to determine how much support is available, but with planning, the crew should be well taken care of. If possible, caching some crew gear in bear boxes on days off could help elevate the burden of packing in and out.
GAOA Funding: deferred maintenance on HWY 20 trails
Duration: 3.5 weeks
Work: Front country trail repair on popular hiking and climbing trails in the alpine/sub-alpine. This project will be a significant change of pace of the relative solitude up Wolf Creek. I'd like the crew to focus entirely on Maple Pass Loop trail #740. The trail was never designed to be sustainable and certainly not intended to handle the crowds it sees (45,000 visitors in 2021!). The crew's time will be well spent armoring switchbacks with stone retaining walls. Rigging with grip hoists and belay lines may be helpful to transport some of the stone to the site. I can provide rigging equipment, set up systems, and train the crew in their use if this equipment is necessary. If the CL has experience in either rock work or rigging, that would be a tremendous asset. Other work will include fixing tread out sloping and possible puncheon replacement. There are other possible trails if rock work is a big ask or the crew needs a mix-up, but the need is tremendous on the Maple Pass Loop.
Camping: Front country camping either at the Lone Fir Campground or a HWY 20 trailhead (Cutthroat Lake or Rainy Pass TH) I'll work with the FS to determine what makes the most sense. Lone Fir would be the most comfortable option.
Guard station can serve as a home base for the crew. And funding for the occasional hotel stay or Airbnb is included.
The only FS requirement for first aid training is first aid/CPR current to operate power saws. SCA will put the crew leader through WFR training. Chainsaw trainng will not be necessary for either project. Partner, at Methow Valley Trails Collaborative & FS will handle x-cut certification for crew members as necessary.
For SCA’s COVID guidance, please refer to www.thesca.org/covid
Position ID: PO-00734494
Expected Dates: June 12, 2023 - August 20, 2023
Training Provided: SCA will put the crew leader through WFR training. Chainsaw training will not be necessary for either project. Partner, at Methow Valley Trails Collaborative & FS will handle x-cut certification for members as necessary
Main Area of Focus: Backcountry/Trail work
Further Details
AmeriCorps Eligible: Eligible
