The Landscape

Rising abruptly from the salt flats of Utah’s West Desert, the Deep Creek Mountain form the highest and most dramatic skyline in the region. Akin to Great Basin National Park, this remote mountain range spans the Utah-Nevada border, skyrocketing out of the low-lying grasslands and playas to granite peaks nearing 12,000 feet. With perennial creeks cut through steep canyons from west to east, lush riparian corridors stand in sharp contrast to the surrounding desert. These life-giving waterways support wildlife and hold historic silver mining sites. On the eastern side of this range, the mountains are managed by the Goshute Skull Valley Band and the The Confederated Tribes of Goshute. The Deeps have been home to indigenous peoples since time immemorial and continue to be important to the tribes in the region.

The Deep Creek Mountains are part of a chain of isolated “island” ranges scattered across Utah’s remote West Desert. Here, solitude is not just possible, but expected. Sections of this landscape are managed as Wilderness Study Areas, which preserve its wild character while presenting real challenges for stewardship across such a large and inaccessible region. This is an area that deserves some TLC in order to maintain its natural and wild character.

The Work

Off-route motorized use and littering is present throughout the Deeps–volunteers will tackle these issues through remediation techniques. Volunteers will support management efforts by the Bureau of Land Management to maintain dispersed campsites, clean out fire rings, protect riparian areas in Wilderness Study Areas, and clarify Wilderness Study Area boundaries to recreators.

Volunteers will:

• Use tools such as rakes and shovels
• Repair, assemble, and extend wooden fencing
• Use power tools or drills where appropriate
• Move natural materials
• Install educational signage
• Clean fire rings and delineate campsites

All work tools will be provided, including gloves, eye protection, and ear-protection. Volunteers will be trained on tool use, fence building, and remediation techniques.

Project Rating

Moderate – Expect walking or hiking on uneven terrain; work vehicles will likely be nearby or a short walk away. Project work may include mid- to heavy-lifting, various tool use such as raking and shoveling, and potential to carry fencing, signage or natural materials.

All projects take place outdoors: Please consider your comfortability working in remote landscapes at varying elevations and under variable weather conditions. Our team strives to ensure that all projects provide meaningful work for volunteers of all abilities. Please reach out to the Project Lead if you have questions or concerns.

Volunteers Needed: (8)
Contact: volunteer@suwa.org

Itinerary
A general itinerary will be provided to registered volunteers in a Welcome Letter.

•  Friday, June 5th – Monday, June 8th

Camping & Meals

Specific location of camping site(s) will be provided in the Welcome Letter sent to registered volunteers. Campsites are often remote dispersed sites with no running water or pit toilets.

SUWA provides dinners during the project dates as well as snacks and drinks during workdays. Volunteers are responsible for all additional meals (breakfast, lunch) during their stay.

Volunteer Responsibilities

Participants are responsible for their own food, water and camping gear as well as transportation to and from the project site(s). Volunteers should plan to be away from camp all day each of the work days. A recommended packlist will be sent along with the project Welcome Letter (4) weeks prior to the start date. If camping gear is a barrier to your attendance, please reach out to the Project Lead to discuss options.

Registration & Acceptance Timeline

A 2026 General Volunteer Application is required for this project.

• Once we have received your application, you will receive a confirmation email within (5) working days of submission.
• We log all applications until (8) weeks prior to the project. At this point, you will first receive an email confirming whether you have been placed on the“project roster” or a “waitlist.” If you are selected for the project roster, you will then complete a Volunteer Agreement.
• At (4) weeks before the project start date, registered and confirmed participants will receive a Welcome Letter with a comprehensive itinerary, including: driving instructions, a Project Map for mobile devices (when applicable), a notification about carpools and/or caravans, and any additional information pertinent to the project.
• Within (2) weeks of the project you will receive a direct call from the Project Lead to answer any additional questions you may have.
• Individuals on the waitlist will be contacted if space opens due to cancellation within (2) weeks of the project start date.

If you have any questions at any point throughout the process, please do not hesitate to contact us here.

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