Sandwich Mt. Trail Maintenance Weekend

We performed our annual trail work over Memorial Day Weekend. The most popular trails on Sandwich Mountain [Brokeback Mountain] see a lot of traffic and require a lot of attention to protect them from all that loving they get :-)

With an agreement made with the Forest Service, GayOutdoors adopted two trails on Sandwich Mountain to maintain: Smarts Brook and Drakes Brook trails. Both can be reached off Rt. 49 as you drive into Waterville Valley. We've been doing this for many years now. We first adopted Smarts Brook trail that was badly neglected and it took us quite a bit of work to get it into the condition it is in today. Then we adopted Drakes Brook. Jon and I have purchased tools for trail maintenance over the years just because we feel it's the right thing to do and happy to share them with all the GO members that help us out each year. We usually do just Level 1 Maintenance but we have rerouted small sections of trail that were underwater. You can learn a lot about trail maintenance by working with us!

On Saturday nine of us worked to get these trails in shape for the hiking season by cleaning lots of water bars, clearing blowdowns, and brushing back encroaching vegetation.

After trail work we took showers back at the house, relaxed on the deck, keeping watch over Sunshine, and enjoyed Carlos' El Presidente cocktails. Then we had our traditional hiker feast cooked by Jon that included greek inspired lemon & garlic chicken breast, grilled sausage, feta & cherry tomato tossed fresh string bean salad, rice pilaf and corn bread. We all saved room for dessert: homemade orange zested pecan honey cake. After dinner we sat around the campfire laughing and sharing stories. The next morning we cooked up apple cinnamon pancakes!

GayOutdoors provided free lodging and meals for the weekend. Many GO members who helped us out this year earned a free White Mountain National Forest parking pass. GO is listed at all the trailheads as being a trail adopter that provides us with goodwill among the greater hiking community. 

Quite a productive day on our adopted trails! What a great crew! THANK YOU!!!

CLICK HERE TO VIEW PICTURES AND SLIDE SHOW [press F11 for full effects]

Help give something back to the forest and trails that serve us. We are looking forward to fun, hard work, comaraderie, new skills and friendships!

The trails themselves are within a designated wilderness area with gurgling cascades, colorful wildflowers, green ferns, soft moss, gigantic boulders and spruce forests. It eventually leads to a NH hundred highest: Sandwich Mountain at 3,980 feet. And nearby is Jennings Peak at 3,460 feet. Depending on group energy, we may try to summit Jennings Peak! 

With trail work you'll be learning new skills, making a positive contribution to forest areas you enjoy and getting the satisfaction of "giving back." Afterwards, as you hike the trail, you'll look at them with a new set of eyes. Join GayOutdoors for a day of trail work on its adopted trails - Smarts Brook and Drakes Brook - to get them in shape for summer. Typical work involves clearing brush from the trails, cleaning drainages, removing fallen trees/limbs and painting blazes. You don't have to be an expert to join. All abilities and efforts are appreciated!

This is a rain or shine event, so watch the sky, and bring appropriate outerwear. We provide all the tools. Bring work gloves. If you have "large" loppers or hedge clippers; or small bow saws please bring them. Please dress for all weather conditions. Bring plenty of water, daypack, and lunch. Hiking boots are recommended. Work with us on Saturday and do your own thing on Sunday after breakfast. Feel free to come for the day, or the whole weekend, we are not picky about it, the more hands, the better!

We meet at our house start at 8:00am on Saturday to organize ourselves into two work parties. After choosing tools, we set out to work on our adopted trails for the day. It's a full day and we finish at 5pm. Water and snack breaks are encouraged and taken throughout the day. Lunch is on the trail [bring your own]. Keep in the mind the day involves hiking 8 miles [4 miles up a mountain], climbing 2300 feet, lots of bending up/down to clip brush and strength to remove blowdowns. If it becomes too much for you, you can turn around on your own and do a 'second trail mainenance sweep' on the way down. That's OK. You can wait for us to return back at the cars. After the hike we return back to our house to wrap up the day. We take showers and have cold beers/appetizers on the deck while enjoying views of Sandwich Mountain!   

The bonus to get guys to work is free lodging at our house Friday and/or Saturday night and the kickin' hiker feed we put on...2 breakfasts and one dinner...all FREE! And we are not talking about a wimpy dinner. It's the sort of meal you expect from a high end restaurant. And Sunday breakfast? It's to die for!

You'll be eligible for a free WMNF pass after 16 hours of work. [We only have bunks for 8 guys so the first 8 that contact me wanting a bed gets one ~ let us know which nights. Everyone else is welcomed to camp outside at my house, but again, let us know. ]

You can expect a friendly and fun group of guys. Even though we work hard, back at the house there is time to relax, chat, eat, and enjoy the views. Join us!