VOLUNTEER TRAIL CREW Β· BACKCOUNTRY PROJECT
2026 Soda Fork Backcountry Logout
Five days deep in Wyoming’s Teton Wilderness, clearing winter deadfall along the Soda Fork. A strenuous backcountry expedition in the heart of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
- DATES: June 25 β 29, 2026
- LOCATION: Teton Wilderness, near Dubois, WY
- DIFFICULTY: Strenuous
- CREW SIZE: 8 Volunteers + 2 Staff
ABOUT THIS PROJECT
Logout in the Teton Wilderness
Lace up your sturdiest boots: this is a true backcountry expedition in the beautiful Teton Wilderness. Over five days, volunteers will focus on logout, clearing winter deadfall, along the Soda Fork of the Continental Divide Trail.
As part of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, this is some of the wildest country the CDT passes through, rich with wildlife and far from the nearest road. It’s a strenuous project and a genuinely unique experience for volunteers ready to hike in, camp out, and put in honest work in a remarkable landscape.
We’ll stage from the Turpin Meadow Trailhead near Dubois and pack into the wilderness together. CDTC provides experienced and trained leaders, all food, group kitchen gear, tools, and safety equipment for the entirety of the project. No prior trail-work experience is necessary, but this project asks for a solid level of fitness and comfort spending multiple days in the backcountry.
Project Area (approximate)
Volunteer roles needed
π³ Crew Chef (1)
Plan and cook three meals a day for the crew in a backcountry camp. CDTC provides all kitchen gear, food, and a chef stipend. Backcountry cooking experience is a plus.
βοΈ Trail Crew Member (2)
Clear deadfall and logout along the Soda Fork. Training and tools provided. Requires hiking in with personal gear and multi-day backcountry camping.
A note on difficulty
Difficulty is rated Strenuous.
We calculate this by considering miles traveled per day, elevation gain and loss, the backcountry setting, and the kind of work involved. This project involves hiking in with your gear, multi-day wilderness camping, and physically demanding logout work, so we recommend it for volunteers in good physical condition. 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
This is a backcountry project, which means you’ll carry everything you need on your back and camp away from any road. Your gear list is different from our frontcountry projects, so please review the backcountry list here closely and below and reach out if you’re unsure about any item.
Project Packing List
ποΈ Camping
- βΊ Tent with rainfly and ground cloth/footprint
- π Sleeping pad
- π€ Sleeping bag
- πͺΆ Pillow
- π Backpacking backpack (40β75 liter recommended at minimum)
- π» Ursack or bear canister
- π½οΈ Camping dishware (plate or bowl, thermos, utensils)
- π₯ Camp stove, fuel, and lighter
- π¦ Headlamp
- πͺ Camp chair
π Clothing
- 𧦠Hiking socks
- 𧦠Sleep socks
- π Long pants for the worksite, synthetic/jean/sturdy material (NO SHORTS or SWEATS) β more than one pair recommended
- π©² Thermal long underwear
- π Short and long sleeve shirts
- π§₯ Synthetic layers
- π Camp pants
- π§οΈ Raincoat and rain pants
- 𧣠Warm jacket, warm gloves, and warm hat
- π Sun hat
- π Camp shoes
βοΈ Work
- π₯Ύ Sturdy work boots
- π Daypack (35 liter minimum, or large enough for water, food, raincoat, layers, and tools β your backpacking pack works too)
- πΆοΈ Sunglasses and hat
- π§ Minimum 5-liter water capacity
𧴠Personal
- π» Bear spray
- βοΈ Personal first aid kit
- π Personal medication
- π©Έ Period products, if needed
- βοΈ Sunscreen and lip balm
- π§Ό Hand sanitizer and soap
- ποΈ Large garbage bags (for waterproofing)
- π¦ Insect repellent
- 𧻠Trowel, toilet paper, and Ziploc bags (pack it in, pack it out)
- π½ Pee rag
π Other (optional)
- π Battery pack and charging cord
- π Book
- π£ Fishing gear and permit
- π©± Swimsuit and small towel
- π§° Gear repair kit
- π§ Map and compass
- πͺ Knife or multi-tool
- πΈ Camera or binoculars
- π£ Whistle
- 𧣠Bandana
- π Carabiners
π« Please leave at home
- πΆ Fuzzy friends (please, no dogs)
- π Illegal substances
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.