VOLUNTEER TRAIL CREW Β· BACKCOUNTRY PROJECT
2026 Bob Marshall Wilderness Trail Project
Five days of trail maintenance on the Continental Divide Trail west of Augusta, Montana. Base out of Benchmark Campground for a hands-on week of brushing, drainage, and tread work, no experience necessary.
- DATES: August 3 β 7, 2026
- LOCATION: Bob Marshall Wilderness, near Augusta, Montana
- DIFFICULTY: Moderate
- CREW SIZE: 13 Volunteers + 2 Staff
ABOUT THIS PROJECT
Trail Maintenance West of Augusta
Join us for five days of trail maintenance on the Continental Divide Trail, due west of Augusta, Montana. We’ll focus on brushing overgrown corridor, improving drainage, and refreshing tread: the everyday work that keeps this stretch of trail passable and enjoyable for everyone who hikes it.
This is a frontcountry project. We’ll camp together at Benchmark Campground and head out to the worksite each day, so you’ll have a comfortable basecamp to return to each night. It’s a great fit for volunteers who want a hands-on week outdoors without the extra logistics of a backcountry pack-in.
We’ll gather Monday morning and wrap up Friday afternoon. CDTC provides all food, tools, and safety equipment for the week. No prior trail-work experience is necessary, and if you can only join for part of the week, we’d still love to have you: attendance for partial projects is welcome.
Project Area (approximate)
Volunteer roles needed
βοΈ Trail Crew Member (4)
Brush the trail corridor, build drainage features, and refresh tread on the CDT west of Augusta. Training and tools provided. Camp with the crew at Benchmark Campground and hike out to the worksite each day.
A note on difficulty
Difficulty is rated Moderate.
We calculate this by considering miles traveled per day, elevation gain and loss, the frontcountry camping setting, and the kind of work involved. This project involves full days of hands-on trail work and frontcountry camping, so we recommend it for volunteers who are reasonably active. This is our best guess. If you’re unsure whether the project’s a good fit, please reach out.
What's provided
Our staff will provide all of the following for you to use during the day project:
What you should pack
Our team has put together a recommended packing list for frontcountry camping trips like this one. Download the PDF version or review the list below:
Project Packing List
Frequently asked questions
How Can I Join Project?
We use a volunteer management software called Neon One, when you follow a registration link from our website it will redirect you to Neonβs site to register. You will be able to create an account so you can log in in the future without having to resubmit your information.
How Can I Prepare for My Project?
Itβs hard to anticipate everything youβll need, depending on the weather, location, and personal preferencesβ¦but hereβs a start!
What equipment is provided?
No tools necessary! Weβll have a range of tools and equipment for the project, and CDTC will also provide needed safety Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): hard hat (if needed, gloves, eye protection. You are welcome to bring your own gloves, eye projection, etc. if you prefer!
What does it cost to volunteer?
Totally free! You just need to get yourself to our worksite. Please keep in mind that while these events are free we would appreciate advance notice of you no longer being able to join a project, as we use registration numbers in several factors. Such as, how much food to buy and what, how much work we can expect to get done, etc.
Do you provide food? What about dietary restrictions?
- We provide food on all projects. For a Friday- Sunday project, we provide, Breakfast, lunch and dinner Friday and Saturday and provide Breakfast and lunch on Sunday.
- Our team is well versed in various dietary needs and restrictions. We can accommodate most diets but please think about risk factors or supplying your own food if you have a severe allergy.
Can I Bring My Pet?
We love our furry friends, but please leave them at home. If you have a service animal, please let us know when you register.
Whatβs a crew chef?
Crew chefs are volunteers whose job is to⦠chef! The crew chef feeds the trail crew a hearty Breakfast, lunch and dinner. CDTC Crew Chef Training is required to be a crew chef. CDTC can help provide ideas, recipes and a shopping list. Food is paid for by CDTC, as a reimbursement to the crew chef.
Are children allowed?
Kids, under the age of 18, are welcome to join with a parent, depending on the project work. Please reach out to [email protected] if you have further questions.
Prohibited Items
We’re happy to have you join a project, but please refrain from*:
- Possession or use of firearms, except with volunteer packers whoβve been
approved by the Forest Service - Consumption of alcoholic beverages in excess
- Possession or use of any illegal drugs, including Marijuana as it is illegal on
federal land on which all of our projects take place - Fighting, use of derogatory language, intimidating behavior, discrimination, sexual harassment, or violent or threatening behavior
*These actions could result in dismissal from the project.
Not sure if this project is right for you?
Sierra LaBonte, our Montana Regional Representative, can answer any question β big or small.