Volunteer Backcountry Work Week: Cottonwood Creek and Tres Plumas Meadow Restoration
Join Friends of the Inyo and the Inyo National Forest for a backcountry volunteer trip in the White Mountains from June 19 – 21, 2026
THIS TRIP IS NOW FULL. Please email izzy@friendsoftheinyo.org with “White Mountain fence removal” in the subject to join the waitlist.
The mission!
Volunteers will spend 2 nights camped along upper Cottonwood Creek in the White Mountains. Cottonwood Creek is a federally designated Wild and Scenic River, home of a nursery population of the Paiute cutthroat trout, a fish listed as Threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Volunteers will work for two full days resolving wildlife entrapment issues and restoring the meadow in upper Cottonwood Creek and Tres Plumas Meadow.
Who can join this trip?
This project is open to any volunteers with an interest in backcountry volunteer work and a physical ability to perform physical work in a remote setting.
Timing
Volunteers will meet in Bishop, California, in the morning of June 19th at 8am and load into Forest Service and Friends of the Inyo vehicles. From Bishop, there will be an approximately 2.5-hour drive to upper Cottonwood Creek, over rough, high clearance 4wd roads, to a dispersed camp site that the group will utilize. Personal vehicles may be utilized for those with a high clearance, off-road capable vehicle and experience with challenging driving conditions. We will set up camp near Cottonwood Creek.
The first day will involve setting up camp and removing and hauling materials near Cottonwood Creek. The second day will involve an approximately 1.5 mile hike one-way to Tres Plumas meadow. We will work a half day on the last day, and return to Bishop by evening on Sunday, June 21st. Work days will mostly be from 9:00am – 4:30pm.
Work Location
This worksite will be in upper Cottonwood Creek at the end of a road leading into the White Mountains Wilderness. The drive requires high clearance 4WD and recovery gear, and vehicle access will be provided by USFS and Friends of the Inyo. Volunteers should bring all amenities desired for car camping, including chairs, tables, cooler and other camp equipment. We will drive to the end of the road highlighted in orange in the map below and set up camp at the location shown. From there we will hike along the trails shown to the project work sites.
Gear
All tools will be provided by the Forest Service and Friends of the Inyo, but volunteers will be expected to have sturdy hiking boots, long sleeves and long pants, and appropriate gear for potential rain.
Volunteers should bring their own camping gear, food and cookware. Bear resistant canisters will be provided. Waterproof boots are strongly recommended for working in the meadow.
THIS TRIP IS NOW FULL. Please email izzy@friendsoftheinyo.org with “White Mountain fence removal” in the subject to join the waitlist.
To support effective project planning, we ask that volunteers commit to a work week only if they are confident they can participate as scheduled. Last-minute changes can impact the success of the project, and we appreciate your reliability and consideration.
