For the first backcountry project of the 2021 season, four volunteers and a crew lead tackled the Deep Creek Bench Trail in Hells Canyon Wilderness. Over the course of four days they removed rocks from nearly a mile of trail, repaired and rerouted 250' of tread, and--the main event--brushed 2.75 miles of trail working their way through prickly wild roses, thorny hawthorn, ninebark, and poison ivy as they went. The weather was dramatic shifting from merciless sun with temps in the 80s during the first half of the project to rain showers with lower temps in the 50s during the second half. Though they had sopping boots on the hike out, the showers made the canyon sing with vibrant shades of green and colorful wildflowers. Through it all the crew shared stories and laughs, along with songs (featuring a ukulele), and snacks (featuring fabulous homemade brownies). Good work and good cheer was the mode of operation for this crew!