About the Signature Trip
Where trail work meets tradition—this Signature Trip combines meaningful volunteer work with delicious cooked meals and memorable camp activities. Since 2004, the Signature Trip has been a tradition of the GDTA. It combines hard work on the trail with the luxury of having home-cooked meals provided, and camp activities to participate in together.
If you’ve never participated in a trail maintenance trip before and are excited to try a new adventure, or if you’ve been a long-time volunteer, or anywhere in between, this trip is for you! The Signature Trip is the perfect opportunity to bring the GDT community together, and we will be reserving a certain number of registrations for first-time trail-maintenance participants, and young adults.
Cost: $300 per person (eTransfer)
What this includes:
- 4 breakfasts, 3 lunches, & 5 dinners prepared by a Red Seal certified chef and GDTA volunteers
- Backcountry camp facilities
- Evening activities
- Experienced trip & trail maintenance leaders
- A really fun and unique experience!
What to Expect
Camp & Trail Maintenance:
This is a backcountry trip, with a rustic camp. Volunteers will drive down a forestry road for approximately 1 hour to a parking area and then hike approximately 2-3 km to the camp area. A side-by-side will transport larger items such as camp chairs and supplies and can transport backpacks & gear if space permits. Trail maintenance activities during the day will be within approximately 5km of the camp area, and volunteers will need to carry their personal equipment and tools. No experience is required for trail maintenance, however backcountry camping experience is recommended.
**We will require 2-3 volunteers with chainsaw & brush saw experience/certifications.**
The GDTA will have camp facilities set up, including a canvas gathering tent & cook tent, outdoor latrines, solar showers, and water filtration. Volunteers must bring their own camping equipment (tent, sleep system, etc) and camp chair. A full packing list will be provided.
Volunteers will participate in trail maintenance work during the day, and support with camp chores.
Food & Activities
A Chef will be preparing delicious meals for the entire crew. A mixture of hot and cold breakfasts will be prepared in the mornings, with coffee and tea. A build-your-own wrap station will be set up in the mornings for volunteers to pack their lunches to go. Delicious dinners will be prepared in the evenings. Due to this being a backcountry camp with additional logistical challenges, the menu calls for simplicity but will still be hearty and flavorful. After a hard day’s work, a hot meal prepared will feel luxurious and fulfilling.
After dinner, an evening activity will be facilitated by GDTA volunteers. The planning is still in progress, but in the past, this has included things like knot tying, GDT history talks, plant identification, GPS geocaching games, and more.
Volunteers are responsible for bringing their own insulated cup, and snacks. Alcohol is not provided but volunteers are permitted to bring their own to enjoy responsibly. Volunteers will also provide their own breakfast & lunch for the first day of arrival, and are encouraged to bring extra snacks for the last day during departure.
**Dietary Restrictions: we will make reasonable efforts to accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies. Please note that due to the backcountry location and limited facilities, we will have a set menu and may not be able to accommodate every need. Please contact Lisa ([email protected]) before registering to discuss if you have specific needs.
High Level Itinerary
(Subject to change – details will be provided closer to the trip.)
Day 1 (July 11):
- Volunteers meet at the parking area around 11am.
- The afternoon is spent transporting gear to the camp and setting up their personal tents.
- Breakfast & lunch are not provided, and volunteers should plan to bring their own.
- Dinner will be provided, and a safety orientation.
Days 2, 3 and 4 (July 12, 13, 14):
- Breakfast is provided, and a build-your-own-wrap station with wrap-making ingredients for lunch is provided.
- Volunteers leave the camp to do trail maintenance for the day, led by an experienced trip leader, from approximately 8am-4pm.
- Dinner is provided, and an evening activity.
Day 5 (July 15):
- Breakfast is provided.
- Volunteers pack up their camping gear and support with transporting equipment back to the parking area, before departing.
This is a unique opportunity to help improve the Great Divide Trail while making memories with fellow outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you’re a seasoned volunteer or new to trail work, come ready to contribute, enjoy, and connect with like-minded people!
Terms & Conditions
Payment in full must be received at the time of registration. Should this trip not receive enough registrants, or need to be cancelled for any reason, the GDTA reserves the right to cancel it, and will refund all fees paid at that time.
For more information check out our Volunteer Guide.
If the trip is showing full, please contact [email protected] to be placed on the wait-list
Note: Due to trail maintenance activities differing among the trips, trip leaders reserve the right to assess individual skills and capabilities before finalizing participation