Mount Rainier Trail Maintenance Volunteer

This is an intermittent or drop-in volunteer opportunity. Housing is not included.

How to participate (RSVP option, June-September):
The Washington Trails Association (WTA) is an independent non-profit organization that assists with trail construction and repair in National Parks and Forests throughout Washington. For information about how to get invloved, visit their website at www.wta.org and follow the link to Find a Trail Work Party. Look for the listings at Mount Rainier National Park, every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from June through at least Labor Day weekend. Work may be at locations throughout the park. Sign up online for the days you're interested in working. Note that work locations are usually posted only about three weeks in advance, as they are dependent on current needs and conditions. If you're planning farther in advance and don't see a listing yet, check back closer to the date of your visit.

Trail projects will also be led by the Mount Rainier National Park Associates, a local volunteer group, in April, May, June, and August. For more information about this group and how to participate in these or other volunteer opportunities, visit their website at MRNPA.org or write to [email protected].

How to participate (vacation option, June-September):
WTA also offers Volunteer Vacations and Youth Opportunities at Mount Rainier on several occasions throughout the summer. These are week-long assignments that often take place in more remote (and spectacular) areas of the park. Visit WTA's website at www.wta.org for more information about this summer's schedule.

Brief job description:
Assist Mount Rainier National Park Trail Crews and the Washington Trails Association with various duties needed to maintain and/or repair the approximately 260 miles of trails in Mount Rainier National Park, as well as trails on adjacent public lands.

Duties:

• Assist with repair of winter damage caused by storms/flooding etc.
• Brushing - by removing plant materials that encroach on the trail
• Tread Cleaning - removing fallen debris and other materials that may cover trail
• Trail opening - remove fallen trees, debris, snow
• Assist with new trail construction as directed by trail crew supervisor
• Assist with upgrading of deteriorated trails
• Maintain and repair trail drainage systems

Anticipated results:
You will be helping to preserve the trails that allow visitor access to the designated wilderness at Mount Rainier. Projects in recent years have included repairing the Wonderland Trail and rebuilding the Glacier Basin Trail, both heavily damaged by flooding in November 2006.

Qualifications for the job:

• Must be able and equipped to hike mountain trails at elevations up to 7000 feet while carrying up to 20 pounds
• Must have physical ability to do the work you are applying for
• Volunteers under age 18 must have written parental approval
• Must be experienced, or willing to learn, trail work procedures and use of tools such as rake, shovel, pulaski, handsaws, loppers, come-a-long
• Willingness to interact in a friendly, helpful manner to visitors that may be encountered on the trail

Responsibilities:

• Work within parameters of this position description unless change is documented by supervisor
• Dedication to working with proper equipment in a safe, sane manner at all times. Safety First!

Training Requirements:
On-the-job training; other training as designed by supervisor.

For More Information about the Washington Trails Association, visit their website at www.wta.org or Mount Rainier's volunteer blog at RainierVolunteersNPS.tumblr.com.