Weeks seven and eight were packed with milestones, including the completion of the Leigh Lake boat portage project and YCP’s much-anticipated backcountry hitch. From big lifts to remote trail work, the crew had fun and made major progress.
Wrapping Up at Leigh Lake
With a hard deadline in place—the Leigh Lake Portage needed to reopen by Thursday, July 31—week seven started quickly. On Monday, the crew returned to the site to help finish the retaining walls that flank the new ramp. Using log tongs and a lot of teamwork, they moved heavy timbers into place after the NPS trail crew planed each log for a perfect fit. Multiple trips were required and every hand was needed.
Tuesday brought a split mission. Half of the crew headed to Colter Bay to help install new trail signage along the Hermitage Point–Heron Pond corridor, working alongside NPS trail crew lead Angela Timby. With more hikers expected in the area next summer, better signage will help visitors stay oriented and safe. The rest of the team stayed at Leigh Lake to wrap up retaining wall construction.
By Wednesday, it was time to install the ramp’s matting, dozens of 2x4s strung together with cable and spaced just right to form a smooth, durable surface for portaging canoes and kayaks. Once in place, the final product looked fantastic and the crew’s hard work was clearly visible.
On Thursday, YCP participated in the tenth annual Sound Ecology Day. In collaboration with the park’s social science team, they split into three groups and hiked into different canyons to monitor visitor traffic and soundscapes. With ten years of data, this long-term project helps track the impact of human activity on the park’s natural soundscape. YCP teams explored Garnet, Open, and Cascade canyons, continuing a meaningful tradition of field science in the park.
Into the Backcountry
Week eight marked a highlight of the season: YCP’s backcountry hitch. The crew set up base camp at the Lower Berry patrol cabin on Jackson Lake’s west shore, a remote and peaceful location near the mouths of Webb, Owl, and Berry canyons.
On Monday, the crew’s gear, everything from food and tools to tents, was boated in from Lizard Creek. Once at camp, they focused on logistics, safety, and setting up a clean, efficient base for the week. Meals were crew-led, with groups rotating kitchen duties. Monday night’s pasta dinner (with multiple sauce options and veggies on the side) set the bar high.
Tuesday’s project site was Owl Canyon, where the crew cleared thirteen downed trees and brushed two miles of trail. With little shade due to the 2016 Berry Fire, it was a hot day, but the team powered through and made it back to camp in time for a well-earned Taco Tuesday.
On Wednesday, the crew headed into Webb Canyon. They removed eight trees from the trail, fewer than in Owl, but much larger in size, requiring more advanced crosscut techniques. The crew practiced safe saw use, strategic cuts, and leverage methods for moving large logs. Lunch at the cool entrance of the Webb Canyon mine (about 50°F even in summer) was a unanimous favorite of the week. That evening’s stir-fry dinner capped off another successful day.
Thursday morning was all about breaking down camp and cleaning the patrol cabin. The crew ferried gear back to the mainland, then celebrated the end of their backcountry week with a pizza lunch at Leek’s Marina. After returning to the trail shop for some final cleanup and gear checks, the crew wrapped up a truly unforgettable two weeks.
