Mt. Charleston Wilderness Volunteer Trail Crew FAQs

New to trailwork?  We’re here to help.  To give you a better idea of what it’s like to be a Wilderness Trailwork Volunteer, check out the answers to our most frequently asked questions.  You can also get a feel for the experience by watching this video made by topnotch volunteer Brittany Lewis.

What do trailwork volunteers do?

Trailwork volunteers are a vital part of building, maintaining, and protecting Wilderness Trails. Projects are dependent on the needs of the trail in that area. Trail work may include:

• Clearing overgrown vegetation on the trail
• Maintaining and improving the trail tread (tread is the area where people and animals walk on the trail)
• Maintaining and constructing structures such as drain dips, steps, or rock walls

What is the cost?

It’s free! For all project, Friends of Nevada Wilderness provides the tools and safety gear. For overnight projects, Friends will provide dinner and dessert, breakfast, drinking water, lunch fixings, and kitchen gear. Of course, we welcome and rely upon your support to help make projects like these happen. Please consider becoming a member and supporting stewardship!

What do I need to bring?

Long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, and sturdy, close-toed shoes are required while doing trailwork. For overnight trailwork, you’ll need to bring a backpack, snacks, warm clothes, and your own camping gear, including a sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and personal items. We have a handful of tents, sleeping bags, and sleeping pads that we're happy to lend you.

Is working on a trail crew hard work?

Tasks will vary in their degree of intensity and it can be demanding work. Volunteers need to be prepared to hike to and from a project site while carrying tools and personal gear. Projects may be three miles each way from the trailhead or camp. Each project description lists the tasks and the fitness level required. If you’re unsure or concerned about the fitness level required, please contact us and we can help.

Do I need to have prior trailwork experience?

Nope!  Projects don’t require prior trailwork experience, and we encourage all levels of experience to get involved.  You’ll receive a safety and training session by the leaders before you begin working on a project, including proper techniques and appropriate tool use.

Do I need hiking experience?

Yes. Volunteers are required to have recent experience matching or beyond the difficulty level of the project. For example, projects may require that volunteer have experience hiking approximately six miles at 10,000’ elevation. If not taking advantage of pack support on projects where it’s offered, volunteers must have backpacking experience to participate. Such volunteers need to be prepared to carry in their own personal gear four miles to base camp.

How do I sign up for a project?

As snow melts and we're able to see the condition of South Loop Trail, we'll start scheduling trail projects.  RSVP here to be emailed when we've lined out the summer's schedule.  

How do I get to the project?

You’ll need to arrange transportation to and from the project.  The meeting location is typically a trailhead. After you register for a project you’ll receive directions to the trailhead or meeting location.  If you’re joining part way through the project, you’ll need to meet us at camp.

Do I have to stay for the entire project?

You are welcome to volunteer for part of a project, however, we ask volunteers to attend for at least two full days on overnight trail crew hitches.  On the first day, leaders review safety and provide a project overview to the entire group. If you’re volunteering for part of the project, you must notify the stewardship team at (702) 515-5417 or [email protected] with the project name in the subject line.

Will there be a camp host or chef on the project?

We’ll be cooking up gourmet camp dinners on overnights.  We’ll have coffee, tea, cocoa, and a simple oatmeal bar in the mornings.  We’ll also have sandwich making fixings available in the morning for you to make a bag lunch.

What are the age requirements?

For trailwork, we accept volunteers that are 18 years of age or older.  

Can I bring my dog?

Due to safety reasons and concern for the animal’s well-being we do not allow allow pets on trailwork projects.  There are swinging tools and moving objects at our work sites, which could be potentially hazardous. In addition, while your pet may be adorable and well-behaved, not everyone is comfortable around dogs.

What would you like to do next?