April 16, 2014 by New Mexico Rails-to-Trails Association

NMRTA Annual Meeting – Friday, May 2nd!

It’s that time again! Please join us on May 2 (that’s a Friday) at 6:00 at the Lodge’s Pavilion in Cloudcroft for our ANNUAL MEETING. If you haven’t been to one of our annual meetings in the past, it’s notsomuch a MEETING but more of a casual, social gathering where we’ll feed you some free hors d’oeuvres, talk about what all the local Rails-to-Trails has done this last year and what we plan to do in the future, AND we always have a guest speaker. This year, we have the wonderful Dr. Bill Boverie providing us with a very, very interesting local history! Dr. Boverie will speak to us through the words and character of William Ashton Hawkins, the attorney for the Eddy brothers and was instrumental in the foundation of Alamogordo and establishing the local railroads. This is a unique experience to hear and see Dr. Boverie as Mr. W.A. Hawkins himself (complete with top hat and tails)!

We can also expect short presentations from the Forest Service as well as several local area hiking groups. We expect it to last until around 9pm but it’s a totally open meet so you are free to come and stay as short or long as you like!

We certainly hope to see you up at the Pavilion at 6:00pm, Friday, May 2nd! There’s no admission charge and should be a really great time!

April 16, 2014 by New Mexico Rails-to-Trails Association

Workday – April 19th!

What we’ll be doing: We will be working be working the same area as last month — on the upper part of the Bridal Veil Falls Trail repairing erosion damage and improving erosion control on the railroad We will have the necessary wood and hardware to begin rebuilding the large erosion control structure that was object of last work day’s demolition effort. More of the original wood will need to be replaced than originally thought, so the total effort will be a little larger than initially anticipated. We may also do some more trail maintenance in the area. Be sure to bring your own drinking water, sun protection, work gloves and sturdy boots. All tools will be provided. We plan to work until noon.

When/Where: Saturday, April 19, 2014. Meet at 9 am; work until noon. Meet at the upper trail head of the BVF Trail …directions below. The work area is about 1/2 mile down-trail from that point.

Directions to the Bridal Veil Falls Upper Trail head from Hwy 82 in High Rolls (click this link for a Google map): The Harris Hollow gate is north of High Rolls. From Hwy 82 in High Rolls, turn north at the High Rolls General store onto Cherry Blossom Lane for .3 miles, the west (left) at the stop sign onto Cottage Row. Drive .45 miles and turn north (right) onto Fresnal Canyon Road and travel .9 miles to the upper trailhead on the left. This is also the location of the lower trail head of the Grand View Trail.

If didn’t join us over the last couple of months and you’ve never been to Bridal Veil Falls, this is another great opportunity!

Thanks!

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

April 16, 2014 by New Mexico Rails-to-Trails Association

MARCH 2014 WORKDAY SUCCESS

Even though we had to reschedule this month’s workday at the least minute, we had another great turnout! 18 willing and able bodies showed up and met again at the top of the Bridal Veil Falls trail.

We ended up splitting into three groups and spread out a bit on the trail — one group began working on the erosion control culvert area; another headed down the trail and worked on some erosion control (lots of rock-moving) and yet another group followed a forest service worker driving a small excavator, helping spread out the dirt and rocks dug out from the edge of the trail. The ultimate goal was to help give any future water a better place to go rather than wash away the existing trail! The pace was a little slow and some heavy rocks were hauled off the trail, but all in all it was a great success!

Next month, we will continue restoring the 100+ year old erosion control structure and continue trail repair, all in this same area.