Billy Goat
Multiday Work Party with
Washington Trails Association
Sept 4 - 10
Overview
This is a unique opportunity to work with Volunteers from the Washington Trails Association at the edge of the Pasayten Wilderness. The crew will car camp at a historic Forest Service cabin at the Billy Goat Trailhead and work on the first few miles of the Billy Goat Trail and Hidden Lakes Trail, coming home each night tp cozy tents and a nice cabin to keep warm.
This crew is in partnership with Washington Trails Association (WTA). Half the crew will be BCHW volunteers: the other half from WTA. No stock is required to complete this project.
About the Area
The Billy Goat trail is one of the five key access trails to the Pasayten Wilderness. On the other side of Billy Goat Pass, this trail eventually connects with the Pacific Northwest Trail and many other trails the crisscross the remote Pasayten Wilderness. Billy Goat is heavily used by stock, so it is critical that it stays wide and clear for private riders, Outfitters and Forest Service teams.
This trail was heavily affected by the 2017 Diamond Creek fire. You'll see the effects of this super-hot fire in the burned trees and loose soil, but also in the blooming fire weed and brush that's slowly but surely coming back.
What to Expect
We'll have fun, work hard, and make a difference!
Project Description
This crew will primarily focus on improving trail tread on Billy Goat trail climbing Billy Goat Pass. This includes using hand tools to widen and level the tread, removing rocks and debris, building rock structures to reinforce the trail, and digging drainage structures to improve water flow.
This crew will work in the burn scar from the 2017 Diamond Creek fire. Planned for lots of sun!
Camping and Hiking Information
- Type: Frontcountry car camping
- Location: Billy Goat Cabin
- Showers: None
- Bathrooms: Outhouse/pit toilet
- Weather: Be prepared for variable conditions including heat, cold, wind and rain
- Initial hike to camp: None
- Expected daily hike: Up to 4 – 8 miles roundtrip, up to 1000 feet of elevation gain at moderate pace while carrying your daypack plus tools
Driving Directions
From Winthrop, travel north on Okanogan County Road 1213 (West Chewuch Road) for 9 miles. Turn left on Forest Service Road 5130 (Eightmile Creek Road) and follow the signs for 17 miles to the Billy Goat Trailhead. You’ll come to the horse parking lot first, the last vault toilet. Continue following the road, which becomes steeper and narrower. At the second sharp corner, you will see a narrow road to your right. This leads to the cabin.
Special Event
This is a combined trip with Washington Trails Association.
Schedule
Day 1 (Thursday): Meet the crew rain or shine at the Billy Goat cabin at 3pm. Set up camp and enjoy a delicious dinner
Day 2 - 3 (Fri - Sat): Trail work day. Gather for breakfast (7:00 AM) then hike to the project site (8:00 AM). Work at your own pace, take plenty of breaks and enjoy lunch on the trail. By 3:00 PM, hike back to camp to enjoy snacks and unwind before dinner (6:00 PM). Help with a different camp chore each day including meal preparation and cleanup.
Day 4 (Sun): Day off to relax and explore your beautiful surroundings.
Day 5-6 (Mon - Tue): Trail work day.
Final Day (Wed): 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 towards working with a team! BCHW provides the training and tools you need for the project.
- Good physical condition to hike with a day pack and be physically active for about 8-9 hours daily on uneven terrain.
- 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-toes shoes
- Work gloves (pro tip…bring two pair)
- 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 BCHW if you do not already have BCHW provided hard hat. Additionally, work gloves and eye protection will be provided by BCHW 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 clothes too close to toe shoes, will not be able to participate in the work party
In addition to the items listed above, bring the following camping gear:
- Daypack to carry all of your gear
- Tent, sleeping bag and sleeping pad
- Lawn/camp chair
- At least two 1-liter water bottles and a coffee mug
- 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!
- BCHW hard hat (provided, unless you have one)
- For safety reasons, shorts and sneakers are not allowed while working
If you have questions or concerns, please contact
Tim Van Beek, Trail Operations Manager @ bchwtim@gmail.com