June 24, 2013 by New Mexico Rails-to-Trails Association

JUNE 2013 WORKDAY SUCCESS

Well, we had another successful volunteer work day! Nine kind folks met at 9am at the Forest Service building outside of Cloudcroft. From there, we carpooled to Parking Area 2 on the Rim Trail about 3 miles past the forest service building on the road toward Sunspot.

Great view from the Rim Trail!

Once everyone made it up we did some trail grooming for a mile or so downhill from the parking area. This is a GREAT area for hiking and now it’s looking better than ever!

Thanks, volunteers, for all your hard work!

Discussing what needs doing!

Volunteers at the June '13 Rails-to-Trails workday

Thanks to our volunteers!

June 13, 2013 by New Mexico Rails-to-Trails Association

Workday – June 15th!

What we’ll be doing: Brush trimming, tread work, water bars and similar maintenance on parts of the Rim Trail. The Rim Trail runs from Cloudcroft to Sunspot – we haven’t worked this trail in a long time. This area is at a high altitude so it shouldn’t be too terribly hot. Be sure and bring drinking water, sun protection, work gloves and sturdy boots. All tools will be provided. There’s work for all skill levels.

When/Where: Saturday, June 15th 2013. Meet at 9am at the Sacramento District Ranger Office. We plan to work until noon.

Directions to the Sacramento District Ranger Office: Enter Cloudcroft from Alamogordo on Highway 82 and take an immediate right (head South) onto NM130. Travel about one mile and the Ranger Station will be on the right. We’ll gather up in the parking lot.

If you need any additional information, please call 575-434-1949 (ask for Grady) or e-mail nmrailtrails@gmail.com

May 22, 2013 by New Mexico Rails-to-Trails Association

May 2013 Workday Success!

We had yet another volunteer workday success. The work was pretty light, the day was gorgeous and the hike was great so those of you that didn’t show up, you really missed out!

We had 11 folks total show up and divide into two separate groups. One group hiked all the way down Trail 5001, from the Historic Train Depot in Cloudcroft, past The Overlook and down to the Mexican Canyon Trestle. From there, they worked their way back up trimming overhanging branches and clearing out some of the larger rocks on the trail. They also took this opportunity to block off a few of the hiker-made “shortcuts” through the forest. If you like to hike, please keep in mind that it’s best for the forest and safest for you to STAY ON THE TRAIL no matter how tempting it may be to cut some corners.

Our 2nd group worked Trail 5001 from the Depot area to Devil’s Elbow, clearing brush and remove more pesky rocks. That crew also swept the stairs at the S-Trestle and the steps that go from the Devil’s Elbow up to the Depot.

We started at about 9am and finished up at noon. We had a few finish up a bit earlier so they missed out on picture time!

As always, we appreciate all the help we got from the Holloman AFB folks! Thanks and see you next month!