The Vista: An American Hiking Society Blog

April 30, 2008

Volunteers Needed to Help Maintain Trails on Lookout Mountain

The Bluff Trail on Lookout Mountain
This is part of the Great Eastern Trail

Do you like to hike? If so, your help is needed to help maintain the hiking trails in the Chickamauga Chattanooga National Military Park on Lookout Mountain. The hiking trail system on Lookout is much loved, but sorely in need of volunteers to help control erosion, cutback brush, and maintain the trails so hikers can have a safe and pleasant experience.

American Hiking Society is coordinating a monthly work crew on the first Saturday of every month from 9 AM - 1 PM. No special skills are required, beyond being able to hike and perform physical work outside.

To find out more, please send an email to Carla Hilling, or call her at 423-266-2507 - extension 4.

Our next big event is planned for National Trails Day on Saturday June 7. All volunteers on June 7 will receive a free t-shirt! So don't delay! Get involved today!

Posted by Jeffrey Hunter at 03:22 PM | Comments (0)

April 03, 2008

Help Eradicate Garlic Mustard at Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield April 12

Photos courtesy of National Park Service

The Kennesaw Mountain Trail Club needs your help! Garlic Mustard has invaded the Kennesaw Mountain Battlefield, and volunteers are needed to help pull this invasive plant on Saturday April 12, 2008 starting at 9 AM.

Interested volunteers should call 770-427-4686 for more information including the meeting location.

Volunteers will need to bring the following with you;

Gloves
Water
Long Pants - poison ivy will be nearby!
Long sleeve shirt
Snacks
Epi-pen, if allergic to bee stings

Posted by Jeffrey Hunter at 03:42 PM | Comments (0)

December 12, 2007

2008 American Hiking Society Volunteer Vacations Announced!
Discounts Offered Through February 29, 2008

An American Hiking Society Volunteer Vacation is a week-long trail stewardship project based somewhere on America’s public lands. Although volunteer travel seems like a fairly new and hot trend, American Hiking Society’s Volunteer Vacation program will be entering its 30th year in 2008, making us a trustworthy leader in volunteer tourism. This year’s schedule includes 75 diverse projects in 25 states across the country. They are a great chance to visit stunning locations, meet interesting people, learn new skills and have an amazing experience, all while giving back. Locations such as the Francis Marion National Forest in South Carolina, The Great Eastern Trail through Virginia and Mount Rogers National Recreation Area will fill up fast, so book your space now at the following link.

We are offering a 10% discount on the registration fee if registering before February 29, 2008. This makes the registration fee only $220 (a $245 value that includes food and park/camping fees and/or lodging).

Please be patient with us while we roll out a new website. The new site will have improved search features, photo galleries and much more great information. So please check back in January.

For more information, please contact Andrea Ketchmark at 301-565-6704 ext 206. You can also download the Volunteer Vacations 2008 brochure (PDF 529 KB) and select your project today!

Posted by Jeffrey Hunter at 10:30 AM | Comments (0)

November 21, 2007

Help Needed to Build Great Eastern Trail!

PATC Volunteers working on a new segment of the Great Eastern Trail

The week of May 4-10, 2008 the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club will be hosting an American Hiking Society Volunteer Vacation to help construct a new segment of the Great Eastern Trail in the beautiful George Washington National Forest in SW Virginia. American Hiking Society is actively recruiting 12 volunteers to participate in this project.

The fee for participation in this trip is $275, but there is a 10% discount if you register before February 29, 2008. Your fee includes lodging in a cabin, all food, a Volunteer Vacation t-shirt, a one year membership in American Hiking Society (includes subscriptions to American Hiker and Backpacker magazines). Better yet, the fee includes a great time out on the trail, meeting new friends, and leaving a lasting legacy for future generations in the form of a new hiking trail!

The Great Eastern Trail, which was announced in May 2006 stretches from Alabama to New York State. The segment in SW Virginia will connect West Virginia's Allegheny Trail with Virginia's Tuscarora Trail.

For more information about this project, please contact Andrea Ketchmark at 301-565-6704 ext 206.

Posted by Jeffrey Hunter at 03:52 PM | Comments (1)

American Hiking Society offers Alternative Spring Break projects in 2008

In 2008, American Hiking Society is offering a number of opportunities for college students to get out help build or maintain hiking trails in America's National Parks and Forests. Checkout the following video clip to get an idea what these projects can be like.

Projects for 2008 include;

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, Kentucky

5-12 Volunteers Needed

Must be 18

Daypacking, Moderate

3/15/2008-3/21/2008

Project Details:

Crew will perform trail maintenance, repair, and enhancement on the Cumberland Trail inside Cumberland Gap National Historical Park and along the park boundary. Work will include installation of water bars and structures to facilitate drainage, re-grading tread, and clearing and removal of vegetation. Cumberland Gap National Historical Park is located in the Southern Appalachians in the states of Kentucky, Virginia, and Tennessee. The park consists of approximately 20,000 acres and 70 miles of trails. Most of the park is mixed deciduous forest with many historic and scenic features. The northern terminus of Tennessee’s Cumberland Trail can be found in the park as well as the southern terminus of Kentucky’s Pine Mountain Trail.

Location:

The trail that will be the focus of this project begins at Tri-state peak, where Kentucky, Virginia, and Tennessee come together. Elevation will range from approximately 2000‚ to 2500‚ and will involve moderate hiking. One of the work days will be devoted to resource work in the field for a behind the scenes look at resource issues in the park.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park - NPS photo

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina

5-10 Volunteers Needed

Must be 18 years of age to participate

Daypacking, Moderate to Difficult

03/09/2008-3/14/2008

Project Details:

Removal of invasive plant species in Deep Creek, which is located near Bryson City, NC. Extensive trail systems are convenient to both locations for hiking in spare time, as well as birding and other natural history explorations.

Location:

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the largest area in the eastern US managed as wilderness and contains old growth forests, interesting historical sites, and opportunities for hiking, photography, birding, canoing, and cycling. Several National Forests and the Cherokee Tribal lands are located nearby. Plant diversity is notable, with over 1700 species of vascular plants and 130 species of trees. Spring wildflowers are abundant. Elevation ranges from 1500 ft to over 6000 ft. This project involves managing exotic plants which threaten native plant communities.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina

5-15 Volunteers Needed

Must be 18 years of age to participate

Daypacking, Moderate to Difficult

3/15/2008-3/21/2008

Project Details:

Removing invasive plants in Hazel Creek, a remote backcountry area (no showers or bathrooms) accessible by hiking or boat across Fontana Lake. The exotic shrub privet infests a wetland and trail for several acres.

Location:

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the largest area in the eastern US managed as wilderness and contains old growth forests, interesting historical sites, and opportunities for hiking, photography, birding, canoing, and cycling. Several National Forests and the Cherokee Tribal lands are located nearby. Plant diversity is notable, with over 1700 species of vascular plants and 130 species of trees. Spring wildflowers are abundant. Elevation ranges from 1500 ft to over 6000 ft. This project involves managing exotic plants which threaten native plant communities.

Green Heron Feeding in Big Cypress - NPS photo

Big Cypress National Preserve, Florida

6-12 Volunteers Needed

Must be 18

Daypacking, Difficult

3/8/2008-3/14/2008

Project Details:

Big Cypress National Preserve is one of the few remaining "wild" places left in southern Florida. It is part of the Everglades ecosystem which is basically a wide and shallow river that drains all of south Florida into the Gulf. The Florida National Scenic Trail has its southern terminus in the Preserve. There are no other ecosystems like it in the US. The crew will performing trail maintenance in the hard-to-reach sections of the deep swamp. The work will include painting blazes, trimming back brush, and clearing the corridor.

Location:

The Big Cypress National Preserve is home to many mammals, birds, and reptiles unique to Florida’s climate. It is easy to view and appreciate Florida’s largest reptile, the American alligator, living here in its natural environment. Anhingas, egrets, and herons are found in plentiful numbers feeding, displaying courtship feathers, and nesting in and among the Cypress trees. Occasionally, one can witness river otter, bobcats, black bear, and the endangered Florida panther on the Preserve’s back roads and trails. Culturally, the Big Cypress Swamp has served as home and refuge to many people throughout time including the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida, the Seminole Tribe of Florida and early settlers.

Coronado National Forest, Arizona

5-8 Volunteers Needed

Must be 18 years of age to participate

Backpacking, Moderate to Difficult

*Dates are negotiable

Project Details:

This is a new ten mile segment of the Arizona Trail known as Las Colinas. The route has been designed to accommodate hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians,and will provide broad vistas of the surrounding terrain to include the Rincon and Whetstone Mountains. We will be working at the 4500 to 5000 foot levels in the Santa Rita Mountains. The approximately mile that we will construct will be cleared of brush and minimal trees (generally small mesquites) to a width of six feet and a height of ten feet. The tread will be constructed of native on-site material with average grades of 5 to 10%.

Location:

The Santa Rita Mountain area is one of the many "sky islands" that dot the Arizona terrain. The highest peak is Mt. Wrightson at 9453 with most peaks at the 6000+ elevation. The terrain is rocky and although we are in the Coronado NF, the area is very desert like in nature. The late winter/early spring is an exciting time in southeastern Arizona as it is warm with minimal humidity during the day and cool at night. Rain is very infrequent and the skies are quite clear. Mountains are visible in all directions. Recreational activities include hiking and we can visit the closer communities such as Sonoita and Elgin after the work day.

Golden Gate National Recreation Area - NPS photo

Golden Gate National Recreation Area, California

6-10 Volunteers Needed

Must be 21 years of age to participate

Daypacking, Difficult

*Dates are Negotiable

Project Details:

Trail maintenance, repair, and enhancement projects along the coastal trails within the Golden Gate National Park located in San Francisco. Projects will include reconstructing sand ladders and regrading tread, box-step staircase repair and regrading steps, reconstructing post and cable fencing, cutting back encroaching vegetation, berm removal and regrading, creating and restoring water bars, and clearing drainage systems.

Location:

The Golden Gate National Park, otherwise known as the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA), is our largest urban national park. It contains many scenic and unique places located north and south of the Golden Gate Bridge. The dormitory is located within the Presidio of San Francisco. The trails that we will be focusing on are along the San Francisco coastline, overlooking the San Francisco Bay and Pacific Ocean.

For more information about how your school can get a group together and participate in these great projects, please contact Andrea Ketchmark at 301-565-6704 ext. 206.

Posted by Jeffrey Hunter at 02:39 PM | Comments (0)

October 05, 2007

Benton MacKaye Trail Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteers on the Benton MacKaye Trail in winter 2004

Now that you've learned about the fabulous Benton MacKaye Trail, how about getting involved to help maintain this masterpiece?

To learn about volunteer opportunities in fall '07, please visit the Benton MacKaye Trail Association's Activity Calendar.

Posted by Jeffrey Hunter at 09:33 AM

October 04, 2007

Volunteer Opportunities on the Cumberland Trail

Cumberland Trail volunteers are all smiles!

The Cumberland Trail Fall 2007 Schedule

The Cumberland Trail Conference is looking for volunteers and support this fall! We need help building bridges and continuing efforts on building this great trail. It’s not all work though, we like to have fun too. There are also back country hikes and a race you can attend, so come join us this fall!

• October 6, 2007: Stump Jump Race, 50k and 11 miler on the Cumberland Trail. Chattanooga, TN; visit www.rockcreek.com/stumpjump for details. A portion of the proceeds from the race will go to the CTC.
• October 11-17, 2007: College Week, Smoky Mountain Segment CT, near Caryville, TN; college students volunteering to build trail in the Smoky Mountain segment of the Cumberland Trail. We will be building trail from Coffin Springs to The Garden Spot. Lodging and meals will be provided at Stony Fork Community Center. Volunteers will need to bring a cot or some type of bedding. Camping is also available. Work will be from 8:00am to 4:00pm. This program is open to all adult volunteers.
• October 12-14, 2007: TTA Annual meeting, Crossville, TN, visit www.tennesseetrails.org for details
• November 3-4 2007: Smoky Mountain segment backpack, Cove Lake to the New River, 17.5 miles, rated strenuous. Join the CTC staff on an over-night backpack trip. Participants will be responsible for their own gear and how to use it. This will be a one-way hike a shuttle will be necessary. There will be a limit of 10 hikers. To sign up contact Tony Hook. tony.hook@frontietnet.net

• October-December, 2007: Soddy-Daisy, TN; Bridge building in the Rock and Possum Gorges, details TBA

Please register for these events on the CTC website www.cumberlandtrail.org





Posted by Jeffrey Hunter at 02:00 PM

September 14, 2007

Father-daughter team volunteer and bond

Father-daughter team volunteer and bond
By Stephen Huba for The Independent

At 64, David Winter admits he’s no spring chicken, but that’s not keeping him from volunteering for a week-long service project in the wilds of southeast Maine.
at
Winter, of Massillon, leaves on Friday with his adult daughter, Angela Winter, for a volunteer vacation at Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge near Calais, Maine, home of the bald eagle, the black bear, the moose and other wildlife.

Winter and his daughter will be among 10 volunteers who will clear and maintain hiking trails at Moosehorn under the supervision of the American Hiking Society and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

“A guy like me recognizes that he’s got more years behind him than he’s got ahead of him. With a trip like this, you forge a bond with your daughter,” he said. “Maybe it can show that you can be a senior and still be pretty active and give back a few things by way of volunteering.”

The idea for the service vacation came in the spring when Winter and his daughter were talking. She suggested they do something different and began doing some research on the Internet.

After discovering the American Hiking Society opportunity, the father and daughter registered online and waited to see if they were accepted.

“I’ve done a lot of volunteer work, but I’ve never participated in anything like this,” he said. “This is a first for me.”

A retired FBI agent, Winter said he’s close to all three of his children and enjoys spending time with them. “We were very much an outdoor-type of family,” he said.

Winter and his daughter still go fishing and hiking on a regular basis, so the idea of spending a week in the woods of Maine was not a stretch.

“We do travel quite a bit together,” said Angela Winter, 33, of Perry Township. “As kids, we used to travel a lot as a family.”

Father and daughter are scheduled to arrive in Maine and begin their work on Sunday. They’ll spend the week clearing and maintaining more than 11 miles of trails at Moosehorn.

According the American Hiking Society Web site, the crew will use crosscut saws, bow saws, pruners/clippers and axes to cut back vegetation. Trails will also be raked, groomed and properly marked with directional signage and interpretive panels.

Moosehorn consists of 24,400 acres of wilderness that is protected as habitat for migrating waterfowl, wading birds, shorebirds, upland game birds, songbirds and birds of prey, including several nesting bald eagle pairs, according to the Fish & Wildlife Service.

The refuge is open to the public but only for walking and bicycling. Refuge roads are closed to all private vehicle traffic.

The project is described on the Web site as “moderate to difficult.” Crew members will stay in a dormitory facility with bathroom and showers. Food will be provided.

Winter said he’s up for the challenge. “I’m guessing that I might be one of the oldest (on the crew),” he said.

Father and daughter will wrap up and return home on Sept. 22





Posted by Jeffrey Hunter at 02:51 PM

September 11, 2007

Become Friends of the Forest at the Bradwell Bay F-Troop

PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Sandra Friend
Florida Trail Association
Phone: 352-378-8823


Volunteers: Become Friends of the Forest® at
The Bradwell Bay F-Troop
Call for Volunteers – September 15th and 16th

Volunteers are invited to join the Florida Trail Association, National Forest Foundation (NFF), and the U.S. Forest Service for a volunteer weekend of trail maintenance and good company along the Florida National Scenic Trail in the Bradwell Bay Wilderness Area of the Apalachicola National Forest. The Friends of the Forest Day F-Troop event will take place from September 15th – 16th. Volunteers of all ages are welcome to participate, and may register on-line at www.becomeafriend.org or by sending an e-mail to join@f-Troop.org.

Volunteers will be helping to restore the trail throughout the wilderness area which has experienced several wildfires in recent years. There will be work for all ability levels from painting blazed and clearing small brush to removing fallen trees from the trail corridor. All meals for volunteers will be provided and Saturday night’s campfire will include a discussion on Leave No Trace ethics. Additional information about what to wear, what to bring, where to meet, etc., will be provided to registered volunteers.

This Friends of the Forest Day, like all Florida Trail events, is a great opportunity for families to experience their National Forest lands, have fun while learning something new and contribute to the well being of our public lands. The Friends of the Forest Day is being co-hosted by the Florida Trail Association and the National Forest Foundation.





Posted by Jeffrey Hunter at 11:39 AM

September 06, 2007

Join the Florida Trail Association's F-Troop Trail Crews


Photo provided by Florida Trail Association

September 6, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Join the Crew! F-Troop draws volunteers to projects all over Florida
A new season of volunteerism on the 1,400 mile long Florida Trail kicks off this month with the maintenance of “one of the 10 toughest hikes in the United States” (according to Backpacker Magazine), in the Bradwell Bay Wilderness of the Apalachicola National Forest. Using traditional hand tools in wet conditions during the September 15-16 event, it'll be a challenge for volunteers who line up to get hot, wet, and dirty on the Florida Trail Association's F-Troop volunteer trail crew program, now in its third season.

This upcoming season offers exciting new projects, including building a 500-foot boardwalk in the Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area through a beautiful cypress slough (December 5-9). In the Juniper Wilderness of the Ocala National Forest, canoes will be used to access our primitive base camp for trail work (November 10-17). New boardwalks will be constructed at the Fort Braden Trail System in the Lake Talquin State Forest just west of Tallahassee (October 12-14). The hiking trails of Hillsborough River State Park and Little Manatee State Park, both near Tampa, will also get some much deserved attention this season (November 30-December 2).

Last season, F-Troop constructed two of the longest free-spanning pedestrian bridges ever built entirely by Florida volunteers: the 80-foot Monkey Creek Bridge in the Apalachicola National Forest near Tallahassee, with over 30 volunteers dedicating more then 1200 hours of hard work, and the 60–foot Tick Island Slough Bridge in the Kicco Wildlife Management Area. Both bridges were an experiment in a design style that uses a fiberglass composite material which is more durable, longer lasting, and easier to transport to remote locations.

For the past forty years, the planning, building, and maintenance of the Florida Trail has been led by a network of volunteers working locally to reach a common goal. F-Troop is a way to bring great minds and strong backs together, to learn from each other’s successes and failures, and to do so in a way that everyone takes back a little something more to add to their local chapter. “It’s all about getting outside, having fun and giving back to the trail that I enjoy hiking on; plus, it’s good exercise,“ said Jennifer Robertson, FSU graduate student and Florida Trail volunteer.

For more information about these projects, visit www.f-troop.org, or call 1-877-HIKE-FLA. If you are interested in learning more about the Florida Trail, visit www.floridatrail.org. F-Troop is an ongoing Florida Trail Association program that offers skills training and camaraderie in the outdoors while enabling volunteers to keep hiking trails open on your public resource—the Florida Trail, Florida’s own National Scenic Trail.



###




Photo provided by Florida Trail Association




Posted by Jeffrey Hunter at 08:40 PM

April 30, 2007

Report from a Volunteer Vacation Crew in Montreat, NC


The mountains in Western North Carolina near Montreat

American Hiking Society has a number of Volunteer Vacation trips with open slots remaining in 2007. To find a Volunteer Vacation to participate in, please search our project database. It's not too late to get in on the fun! Here's a trip report from our Volunteer Program Manager Andrea Ketchmark. Andrea is co-leading a trip that began today in Montreat, North Carolina on the grounds of the Montreat Conference Center. Photos will follow in a few days.

"American Hiking Society Volunteer vacation trip #79 got off to a great start today as perfect weather ushered the 11 volunteers into the backcountry where they began work on a steep-sloped 800 foot trail relocation. At the close of the first day the group accomplished clearing the corridor for the entire 800 feet. This required removing downed trees, rocks and creating switch backs. Two volunteers first discovered and then cleared the area around a 30'X20'X6 bolder which will provide hikers a tranquil rest and great view in the winter. The Montreat Conference Center is a beautiful location to spend a week in the springtime. Our hosts are providing all our meals in their vintage grand dining room, and wonderful camp sites along a stream. A great trip!"




Posted by Jeffrey Hunter at 08:23 PM

April 29, 2007

Volunteers fill void in repair of hiking trails


Dan DeLong - Seattle Post-Intelligencer


Please take a moment to checkout this excellent article about trail volunteerism in Washington State. Washington Trails Association is a member of the American Hiking Society Alliance of clubs, and WTA's Executive Director Elizabeth Lunney is a member of the American Hiking Society Board of Directors.

For the record, trail volunteerism is no less important in the southeastern United States.

Saturday, April 28, 2007
By COLIN MCDONALD
Seattle Post-Intelligencer REPORTER

NORTH BEND -- Jim Knoke was dubbed "Badger" by his trail-crew leader because "when I dig, the earth flies."

Pete Dewell became "Axman" in tribute to his speed chopping through tree trunks and roots.

"I got the job done," he said.

At 71 and 77 years old, respectively, what the volunteers love more than digging and chopping is moving boulders the size of small cars.

"It doesn't get any better than this," said Knoke, scrambling over the rocks left by Humpback Creek when it washed out the Lake Annette Trail this winter.

Behind him, the creek sparkled in the sunlight as it rumbled over the edge of a cliff, sending a fine mist into the air.

Knoke and Dewell spent Thursday inching a hunk of granite the size of a baby grand piano into position, relying on their engineering skills, a half-dozen fellow volunteers and a pair of 5-foot steel bars.

"It's all muscle power," Dewell said.

Washington Trails Association volunteers, including Knoke and Dewell, are the best shot the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest has at recovering from $5 million in trail damage left by the winter storms of 2003 and 2006 and more than a decade of declining maintenance budgets. Since 1993, the non-profit has grown from 250 hours of volunteer service to 75,000 hours in 2006.

This year, the Pacific Northwest Region of the Forest Service, which includes 19 forests in Washington and Oregon, has $150,000 set aside for flood and fire damage repairs. Baker-Snoqualmie received $15,000 of that. There is a request for additional money for the region before the U.S. Senate, but nothing in the House.

Gary Paull, the trails coordinator for Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, will use most of the money to pay overhead costs for managing volunteer trail crews. Less than two decades ago, professional crews, who were hired every year, would have done the work. Now the summer budgets depend on grants and there is no guarantee of work for the next season -- except for the volunteers.

Damage from the 2006 winter storms was the worst Baker-Snoqualmie has had in decades.

Some of the biggest pending repairs:

# Three washed-out miles of White Chuck Trail: $615,625

# Smashed bridge to the Big Four Ice Caves: $478,000

# Damaged bridge providing access to Big Heart Lake: $288,000

# Destroyed trail at Monte Cristo Campground: $178,000

Volunteers have always been part of the Forest Service, but the government is now relying on donated time to do jobs that were once solely the domain of professional crews. It is a paradigm shift for a bureaucracy that for more than a century has depended on trained staff and federal taxes to take care of the woods.

The WTA has been around since the 1960s, but it was not until 1993, at the request of the Forest Service, that it started conducting regular trail maintenance. The association now works in national forests and parks across the state. The work it does is held to the same standards as professional crews.

After 8 1/2 years of working on trails, Dewell's orange hardhat is cracked and faded. The semi-retired lawyer averages three days a week as a volunteer, and often brings along his three granddaughters, who all have their own green hardhats. The oldest is 15 and will be spending a week this summer on a crew for teenagers.

Dewell has a reputation of turning off his hearing aid at 1:30 in the afternoon, so when crew leaders tells him to stop working at 2:30 he won't be able to hear it.

Knoke, a retired Boeing mechanical engineer, has been volunteering his time for more than a decade. He came across a crew while hiking, liked what they were doing and joined up. He's now a regular on the weekday work crews.

The WTA is the largest of a handful of organizations working to maintain the trails of Washington. Whether it is picking up branches off the trail or helping to build a bridge, the organizations can find work for almost anyone. The Northwest Region office of the Forest Service has requested the non-profits to broaden their work to Oregon.

"The trail crew of the future will be volunteers," said Jenni Blake, the WTA trail program director.

For 18 years, Blake worked for the Forest Service, moving up the ranks of trail crews until she oversaw the work being done on more than 2 million acres of forest in Idaho.

Budget cuts forced her to take a job in mineral management, which she couldn't stand. Now she's doing the same job she did for the Forest Service, but for the WTA, and said her job in Idaho remains empty.

"There is a lack of understanding that the trails do not take care of themselves," she said. "You don't know it until the trails are closed."

Gail Throop, trail program manager for the Northwest region, said it would be catastrophic if the volunteers stopped. Necessary trail repairs would either be delayed or ignored entirely.

This winter, heavy rains washed out the ramp leading up to the bridge crossing Humpback Creek. Instead of a smooth trail at the end of the bridge, a 5-foot-deep pit greeted hikers.

The job was estimated by the Forest Service to cost $5,700. The trail is one of the most popular in the forest, and the damage made the top-10 list of work to be done this summer.

Still, it wouldn't have been done until July, when the Snoqualmie Ranger District's only trail crew had finished its training, said Bill Sobieralski, trails coordinator at the Forest Service's North Bend Ranger Station.

Instead, Sobieralski called the WTA, reported the damage and let them do the rest.

After Knoke and Dewell assessed the situation, under the guidance of their crew leader, they decided moving the boulder would be the best thing to do. It would fill half the hole and protect the trail from future washouts.

By the end of the day, the rock was in position. The hole was filled with smaller stones and topped with a layer of dirt, making it look like it had always been that way.

"Every time I come home, my wife asks me if I had a good time," Dewell said. "I always have a good time."






Posted by Jeffrey Hunter at 07:28 AM

February 06, 2007

Volunteer Vacation planned for Atlanta's
Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area



Two volunteers with a young National Trails Day participant
learning about pond life at Chattahoochee River NRA
during National Trails Day in 2006

During the week of April 29 - May 6, 2007 the National Park Service will be hosting an American Hiking Society Volunteer Vacation Crew at the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. Participants are needed to perform trail maintenance (erosion control) and to help eradicate invasive plants from the park.

Located just north of downtown Atlanta, Georgia, the Chattahoochee River NRA is a jewel of an urban park. The National Park itself stretches over 48 miles along the banks of the Chattahoochee River.

The park offers opportunities for wildlife watching (Otter, Bald Eagle, White-tailed Deer, and a wide variety of songbirds), fishing, paddling and hiking. Because this park is located near a large urban area, the park's trail system receives a large number of visitors. As a result, the trails require constant attention by volunteers.

The project currently has 10 openings remaining. The fee for participating in the Crew is $130, which includes a membership in American Hiking Society ($100 for American Hiking Society members). The National Park Service will provide food, an improved tent site (including hot showers!), and an airport pick-up at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. Participants also receive a deep sense of satisfaction in knowing that they've given something back to America's National Parks system. There is no extra charge for the good vibes that you'll receive for participating in this project.

For those not already familiar with Atlanta, sightseeing destinations include the Georgia Aquarium, Martin Luther King National Historic Site, Atlanta Braves Turner Field, (the Phillies & Dodgers are in town that week) and much more!

If you're interested in exploring a great Southeastern city and giving something
back, please signup for this project today!



Hikers at Chattahoochee River Nat'l Recreation Area



American Hiking Society Staffer Jeffrey Hunter provides pre-hike instructions during National Trails Day 2006 at the Chattahoochee River Nat'l Recreation Area




Posted by Jeffrey Hunter at 11:11 AM

February 01, 2007

Volunteer Vacation to coincide with
Great Southeastern Hiking Festival in Montreat, NC



Ed Benson from Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado providing
leadership at a Volunteer Vacation in South Carolina in '05
Photo by Heyward Douglass

The week of April 29 - May 5, 2007 a Volunteer Vacation will take place at the beautiful Montreat Conference Center in Montreat, North Carolina. Participants will spend a week in the rugged & gorgeous Black Mountains performing trail maintenance. Montreat Conference Center has more than 2,500 acres of forested wilderness that is protected with a conservation easement. This land adjoins the Pisgah National Forest.



A past Volunteer Vacationer. The smile says it all!

Volunteers will camp evenings in an improved campsite, eat breakfast and dinner in the historic Assembly Inn, and enjoy boxed lunches out on the trail. Starting Thursday May 3rd, volunteers can join in the fun and entertainment that is part of The Great Southeastern Hiking Festival. That means you'll have an opportunity to enjoy some outstanding music, great speakers, and get to mingle with hikers from throughout the southeast.

Leading the Volunteer Vacation Crew will be Ed Benson from Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado. No special trail working skills are required. Ed is an excellent teacher, and this Volunteer Vacation doubles as a training session. Joining Ed will be Andrea Ketchmark, American Hiking Society's Volunteer Vacations Program Manager. Andrea also hails from Colorado, and is excited about the prospect of her first visit to the North Carolina mountains.

The fee for the trip is $130 ($100 for American Hiking Society members) and includes your meals, camping, a t-shirt, a one-year membership in American Hiking Society, and most importantly, an opportunity to give something back through a service project. So don't delay! Sign up today! This trip is going to fill up quickly.




Posted by Jeffrey Hunter at 11:35 AM

January 17, 2007

Great Eastern Trail Volunteer Vacations
planned for 2007 in Kentucky and Tennessee



Pine Mountain Trail volunteers enjoying a break

With the recent announcement about the creation of the Great Eastern Trail, there have been many folks asking, "how can I help build this new trail system?" Well, here's your answer!

This week the Pine Mountain Trail Conference located in Whitesburg, Kentucky scheduled three Volunteer Vacations for 2007. Located in Eastern Kentucky, the Pine Mountain Trail stretches from Cumberland Gap National Historic Park all the way to Breaks Interstate Park along the Virginia-Kentucky border.

This beautiful trail is part of the newly announced Great Eastern Trail, and offers tremendous beauty and a glimpse into a part of the country that is seldom visited. Trips are planned for the week of June 10-16, 2007, the week of September 23-29, 2007, and the week of October 14-20, 2007.

Having participated in a Pine Mountain Trail Volunteer Vacation in the past, I can't recommend this trip more highly. Eastern Kentucky is an undiscovered gem, and the Pine Mountain Trail Conference led by their President Shad Baker - will show you a good time!



Volunteers having a good time on the Cumberland Trail

The Cumberland Trail Conference is also planning a Volunteer Vacation for the week of May 13-19, 2007. The Cumberland Trail is a State Scenic Trail in Tennessee. Volunteers are needed to help construct trail in the Smoky Mountain section of the Sundquist Wildlife Management Area.

If you'd like to take a different type of vacation in 2007, checkout American Hiking Society's Volunteer Vacations. In addition to having a great time, you'll make a lasting contribution to a great new trail system. For more information, please contact American Hiking Society's Volunteer Vacation Program Manager Andrea Ketchmark.

Additional shorter duration volunteer opportunities along the Great Eastern Trail are available in Alabama and Pennsylvania. Check 'em out at the Great Eastern Trail Volunteer Opportunities web page!




Posted by Jeffrey Hunter at 06:12 PM

January 09, 2007

American Hiking Society Volunteer Vacations
planned for Mammoth Cave National Park



Mammoth Cave National Park. NPS Photo


Two American Hiking Society Volunteer Vacations are planned in 2007 at beautiful Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky! The week of April 1-7, 2007, volunteers are needed construct a trail reroute to protect the park's resources. The week of June 24-30, 2007 another two dozen volunteers are being sought to work on a similar project.

Mammoth Cave is the world's longest cave system, with more than 365 miles explored! The National Park's Mammoth Cave website contains an excellent slideshow that will give you a taste of the beauty of this area. Another alternative is to visit the Mammoth Cave webcam, where you can see live images from the park, and view the weather and air quality data.

For only $130, you can join one of these volunteer crews. Your fee includes dormitory lodging, food, an airport pickup in Nashville, and a t-shirt. Your registration fee also includes a one-year membership in American Hiking Society and a one-year subscription to Backpacker magazine! How cool is that? Transportation costs are not included in the registration fee.

A Volunteer Vacation is a great way to give back something to our National Parks, and to America's trails. Your volunteer time will allow future generations to enjoy this beautiful park. I hope you'll consider signing up today.




Posted by Jeffrey Hunter at 10:47 PM

December 28, 2006

American Hiking Society Volunteer Vacations:
Making Good Things Happen Across America!

2006 was a great year at American Hiking Society. Here in Chattanooga, one of our most successful projects was helping the local school district plan and implement a field trip for blind and visually impaired students. This is the second year in a row that we've worked with these wonderful students and their dedicated teachers.

The students visited the Pot Point House, which is owned and managed by the Tennessee River Gorge Trust. Other partners involved in this project include the Tennessee Aquarium, National Park Service RTCA program, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, and the local Lions Clubs. Special thanks are also in order for Leki for donating a dozen pairs of trekking poles - complete with rubber tips - for the students to use.

In March '06 a team of American Hiking Society Volunteer Vacationers built a new hiking trail, and helped retrofit an existing boardwalk to turn it into a braille trail. Two weeks later, the students took a field trip to walk the trails, and learn about the natural history of the area. Take a look at this video footage from the day;

If you'd like to join an American Hiking Society Volunteer Vacation Crew in 2007 please visit our website and find a trip that interests you. Remember, the story of America's trail is written by volunteers!




Posted by Jeffrey Hunter at 10:19 AM

October 03, 2006

Build your Karma - Help build a trail!


American Hiking Society Volunteer Vacation Crew


The week of September 10-16, fifteen volunteers from across the United States gathered at Doughton Park along the Blue Ridge Parkway to help construct the Mountains to Sea Trail.


The Mountains to Sea Trail will eventually stretch 1000 miles from the Great Smoky Mountains to the Outer Banks! Our trail crew built one mile of new trail during our week in the mountains.

Continue reading "Build your Karma - Help build a trail!"

Posted by Jeffrey Hunter at 10:49 AM