Volunteer trail work

[Wildernessphoto]

I was wondering if anyone out there would be interested in doing some trail work? I've worked on projects like repairing bridges, clearing trail, draining bad sections of trail, roofing lean-to's, building hitching posts, building staircases.

It would require selecting a project, and carrying in the tools necessary to do the work. I was thinking that it might be nice to do a project as a forum. We use the trails...Why not work on them?

What are your thoughts?


The Photography of Gary F. Dean

[sacco]

i think thats a hell of an idea, and i'd be very surprised if we didn't have a solid turn-out from the people on this forum.

[fvrwld]

I would love to do something like that. Even a trail clean-up would be nice.

[Kevin]

Anyone want to clear Cliff??

Great idea Gary (always thinking about how to bring us knuckleheads together ). I'm going to PM one of my future projects first to see if you think the DEC would approve or not....

[Jeff]

I think that would be a fantastic idea Gary! I'm all for it! Let's fix that CRAPPY trail to Bradley Pond. No one likes it. Everyone complains about it. Why not be the ones who made a major difference and contribution in the Adirondack Park? :headbang:

[redhawk]

I'll supervise!
(As usual the Hawk soars to the forefront)

[Wildernessphoto]

I'll supervise!
(As usual the Hawk soars to the forefront)

Glad to see you finally want to be a Chief Hawk!
You got yourself a job!

[lumberzac]

I think that would be a fantastic idea Gary! I'm all for it! Let's fix that CRAPPY trail to Bradley Pond. No one likes it. Everyone complains about it. Why not be the ones who made a major difference and contribution in the Adirondack Park? :headbang:

I kind of like the trail the way it is.

[Dick]

Just a comment that most of the trail to Bradley Pond, almost all the way to the lean-to, is on private land. I seem to recall this issue coming up before, and that there was a reason why trailwork wasn't (couldn't be?) done, but I can't recall the details. No doubt Pete Hickey knows. Sure sounds like a good idea, though!

[sacco]

i've got another great project for us. it's a short trail and a lean-to that needs work.



it's pretty close to my house.

well ok... it's right near my house and garage.

well ok... it's the path between my garage and house.

well ok... it's not really a lean-to.

it's my garage.


anybody wanna come and fix my garage and build a nice walkway between it and my house ? and work for free ?

[Martin]

I also think this could be a very intersting and fun project. I agree that cliff could be an option, I counted 32 different scatches on my body from my weekend's hike. Although, maybe I should consider opening my eyes and not doing the "blindfolded 46er". lol

[AlpineSummit]

Not to rain on anyone's parade, but:
there are many things that must occur before a project can legally be started. Chief among them are:
- training
- supervision by someone in the know.
It seems simple enuff but there are a good many things that we don't know how to do properly without instruction concerning sidecutting, trail hardening, even blowdown clearing. There is even an insurance thing (seems ridiculous, I agree) But we cannot just 'go for it'.

Pete Hickey knows much more about this - obviously.

Concerning Bradley Pond: The way I understand it is this. It is on private land and even tho we have access thru it, they don't allow trail work on it. They want the trail to be crap - seemingly - so that it never becomes too popular.

Better than trail work, maybe an outing to popular camping places to pick up trash - this will never cause a problem. Marcy Dam et all can get very messy; especially when a bear makes a mess of people's food bags as they tend to not pick to up.

Sorry - double check my info if you like, but unofficial trailwork IS a no-no.

There are also opportunities to assist both the ADK club and the Forty-Sixers on their outings. There are never too many hands and in the case of the 46'ers, we don't require you to be one of us, just that you be a friend of the mountains.

[redhawk]

I'll leave the details to Gary (WildernessPhoto). He's been "unofficially" doing volunteer trail work on his own, quietly, with the "unofficial" blessing of some of the agencies and rangers for quite a while.

We also have someone who trplied here that works for the DEC and I am sure that they can check it out to be sure.

I often do work on the trails here in the Silver Lake Wilderness, especially the NPT trail from Uper Benson to Whitehouse and Whitehouse to Piseco, With the knowledge AND the blessing, but not any "OFFICIAL" permission. All I did was ask the local rangers, Mark and Bob if there was "any problem" with going in and maintaining the trail (I do have prior experience in trail maintainence), and they said that not only was there not a problem, it would be welcomed since they use the trails too and do not have the time or the responsibility to maintain them. I agree that it takes training but as long as there are one or two experienced people along, the training can be "on the job".

I also know that there is a crew of volunteers from the Albany Chapter of the ADK that go through and do maintainance work on the Benson to Whitehouse section of the NPT. The ADK has volunteer crews for maintaining a lot of the trails that are on state property and all that is "unofficial".

As far as going into Marcy Dam or a place like that and picking up after people, no thanks. And if nothing else That is a huge justification for mandatory bear canisters! Not the "bear problem" the "slob" problem.

[Kevin]

There are also opportunities to assist both the ADK club and the Forty-Sixers on their outings. There are never too many hands and in the case of the 46'ers, we don't require you to be one of us, just that you be a friend of the mountains.

Last time I checked the ADK Club was charging people to help (yeah, I thought the same thing )...

I didn't know the 46rs were doing official work, and if they are, why can't we? (does ANYONE ever plan on cleaning up Cliff and other areas of blow down like it?)

[Mavs00]

Last time I checked the ADK Club was charging people to help (yeah, I thought the same thing )...

I didn't know the 46rs were doing official work, and if they are, why can't we? (does ANYONE ever plan on cleaning up Cliff and other areas of blow down like it?)

All the "trailess peaks" come under the stewardship of the 46ers (if I'm not mistaken). Cliff is scheduled for a redo this year (again, I only understand this from the rumor mill). I will tell you that it is flagged, and from the way it is done, I beleive that the flagging is the first step in towards actual trail "improvement". I'm not a 46r or on any of the crews (yet), but this was how it was explained (by Pete Hickey) on a earlier thread (on another board).

I agree with Alpine, individual attempts to "improve" a trail, herd path or maintained (at least in the HPs area), IS NOT A GOOD IDEA, particularly if it involves the cutting back of vegitation. Frankly, most individuals, including those that may think they know what they are doing, do not. If you pay attention the currently "improved" trails (tabletop, street, nye, redfield, etc), you'll notice that they are only selectively cut back. Every action taken, ever tree trimmed is a very deliberate act, not just a "whack and hack" session to create a route to the summit.

also, I was under the impression that the lions share of the ADK trail work is done by either paid summer college crews, or various volunteer ADK chapters. I've never heard of paying to help out. Could be wrong.

Like I said, this is my understanding, and feel free to correct me if I'm wrong. The heart of this tread is certainly in the right place