by

Workday – October 19th!

What we’ll be doing: We will be working the Grand View trail repairing drainage problems resulting from the recent excessive rains; some brush trimming, tread work and similar general trail maintenance. As always, please be sure to bring drinking water, sun protection, work gloves and sturdy boots. Tools will be provided and we’ll certainly have work for ALL skill levels!

When/Where: Saturday, October 19th 2013. Meet at 9am at the lower trail head of the Grand View Trail. We plan to work until noon.

Directions to the Grand View Trail – Lower Trailhead: 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 lower trail head on the LEFT. Look for our parked cars and a sign that identifies the Grand View trail.

SPECIAL NOTE: The Forest Service is not allowed to support volunteer activities during the Shutdown, so we may be using private tools on this workday.  We probably have enough private tools lined up, but if you have a tool you want to bring (mattock, shovel, heavy hoe, etc.) please feel free.  If the Shutdown is lifted in time, we will use Forest Service tools as usual.

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

by

SEPTEMBER 2013 WORKDAY SUCCESS

We had another good turn out on our monthly volunteer work day! Again, we had 18 volunteers helping make the Bridal Veil Falls trail a nicer place to visit! We met up at the Harris Hollow gate and hiked in using a little shortcut that has been made available to Rails-to-Trails members only on volunteer work days. Heather Burman, the Forest Service representative, met us with all the tools and drove down and parked near the bottom of the access road. Heather took two volunteers and met up with Debi Maucione at the Switchback trail area to clear some fallen trees while the main crew work around the Bridal Veil Falls area.

A bunch of brush was cleared from beneath the falls area and several water bars were placed across the ramp leading up to the shelter area. The steps leading up to the shelter were cleared of mud and debris.

A couple of water bars were built across the trail uphill from the falls and a major water damage repair was done on the bypass immediately up trail from the Pinto site.

Water bar crew!

Surprisingly, most of the trails in the area were in pretty good shape considering the recent excessive amount of rain!  Thanks again to all our volunteers and we’ll see you next month!

Bridal Veil Falls

Bridal Veil Falls

Working around the shelter

Taking a break

For more great photos of the day, please check out our official Flickr page!

by

Workday – September 21st!

What we’ll be doing: We will be working the trail near Bridal Veil Falls, mostly repairing water bars and clearing drainage problems resulting from the recent excessive rains. We may also do some brush trimming, tread work and similar general trail maintenance. The weather should be nice on Saturday and not too hot.  As always, please be sure to bring drinking water, sun protection, work gloves and sturdy boots. All tools will be provided. We have work for ALL skill levels!

When/Where: Saturday, September 21st 2013. Meet at 9am at the Harris Hollow gate area (directions below). We’ll walk downhill from there to the Falls and work areas. We have special permission from the private land owner to use this shortcut. We plan to work until noon.

Directions to the Harris Hollow Gate 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 1.4 miles to Harris Hollow, which is tucked away on a curve to the west (on the right). Look for our parked cars.

If you’ve never been to Bridal Veil Falls, this is a great opportunity; and if you have, this is a much easier and quicker way to access it!

Thanks!

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