Stanislaus National Forest, CA – Volunteer Vacation 2024

With over 1,000 miles of trails, 78 lakes and 800 miles of rivers and streams, Stanislaus National Forest provides ample access to the outdoors! Come support trail maintenance in this beautiful national forest situated on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada mountains. 

The world class 18-mile whitewater run down the wild and scenic Tuolumne River in the Stanislaus National Forest attracts thousands of visitors each year, who come to enjoy the natural scenery and outdoor adventures found there. Due to lingering effects of the 2013 Rim Fire, this stretch of river is a challenge for the Forest Service in terms of managing and responding to environmental impacts. Hamby Trail drops nearly 2,000 feet over the course of three miles to the Tuolumne River at the confluence of the Clavey River. While this is a day hike, 40 switchbacks on narrow and steep trail tread certainly provide a challenge to recreation users and should not be underestimated. Many parts of the trail are becoming overgrown with brush, the tread is in need of widening, and there are trees that need to be cut out of the trail in places.  Volunteers will focus their time on brushing back vegetation with hand saws and loppers, and repairing trail tread with hand tools like Rogue hoe rakes and Mcleods. Tuolumne River Trust’s staff will provide background on the project, training to do the work, and work alongside the volunteer crew during their time on the trail.

The daily hiking distance will range between 3 – 6 miles total a day, along a river canyon trail that has a significant change in elevation. The elevation change is approximately 1,000 – 2,000 feet depending on the day’s hiking distance into the river canyon. The crew will do 3 days of work on the trail, 1 day of service at the non-profit camp the volunteers are staying at, and have one day off to enjoy visiting beautiful Yosemite Valley. Volunteers will drive or carpool to the project site. The drive from camp to trailhead is approximately 10 minutes on a road that is partially dirt. The road is accessible for most 2WD vehicles until the end, so 4WD or AWD is preferred to make it to the trailhead. Transportation can be provided by the host for up to 7 volunteers.

During this trip, Stanislaus National Forest’s average high temperature is 80°, and average low temperature is 54°.

There is no experience needed to join a Volunteer Vacation! Your expert hosts will provide detailed instruction, tool demonstrations, and project oversight throughout the week. All you need is a willing attitude and to be in good physical condition to participate in moderate physical activity for approximately 6-8 hours a day with plenty of breaks, at your own pace. Find out more about what it’s like to join a Volunteer Vacation and other frequently asked questions here.

AHS acknowledges with gratitude that this project takes place on the traditional lands of the Miwok and Me-Wuk peoples past and present. We honor the land itself, the Indigenous communities who have stewarded this land for generations, their deep and sacred connection to these lands, and those who continue to steward these lands today. We offer this land acknowledgement as the first of many steps to stand as an ally and amplify Indigenous voices. We invite the American Hiking Society community to join us through continued efforts to support Indigenous communities and learn more about the history of the lands on which we live, work and recreate.

Click here for a PDF of trip details.