Osceola Trail Maintenance Day

We completed our first trail maintenance section on the Mt. Osceola trail from Tripoli Road to the Chimney! A bit humid today but thankfully black flies were not an issue. We were a team of 6 from GayOutdoors as we continue to celebrate Gay Pride month. We spent our time cleaning 51 waterbars and removed two small step over blowdowns. Lots of folks out. Magnificent view from the summit! We got caught in a shower on the descent. The trail is in great shape. Great day to be OUT.  After Trailwork, we invited participants back to our house relax on the deck for appetizers and dinner to wrap up the day. Thanks so much to all of our volunteers!!! We’ll be returning next weekend from the Kancamagus Highway side to the Chimney for some blazing and to wrap up this year’s summer trail maintenance.

Join us on our annual trail maintenance weekend where we work on our adopted trail. 

Jon and I will be hosting our first of two trail maintenance days to GayOutdoors' adopted trail, Mt. Osceola. 

We are hopeful that GayOutdoors has enough energetic, ambitious members to keep our adopted trail in top condition. The work itself, cleaning out waterbars, clearing small to medium blowdowns, clipping brush and painting blazes, is fairly easy. We are fortunate to be part of a club of gay men that have the opportunity to go hiking regularly in various places to take in the beauty of the White Mountains. We often oooh and awwwwe at some of the things we see. Now we have the opportunity to be a part of doing something to give back to the hiking community, while working on something we love...hiking trails...and helping make them a place where both ourselves and others can enjoy. We are looking forward to fun, hard work, comaraderie, new skills and friendships! 

We will starting from Tripoli Road  for our first session. The Mt. Osceola trail from Tripoli Road to Mt. Osceola is extremely popular in summer due to its gradual ascent to the highest peak in Waterville Valley and vast panorama from its ledges! It is also popular being on the NH four thousand footer list at 4,340-feet. 

What can we do? We need members to do all sorts of trail maintenance, from cleaning out waterbars, clearing small to medium blowdowns, clipping brush and painting blazes. You don't have to be an expert to help and we can easily train you.  All tools are provided. We'll let you in on one of the best kept secrets in the mountains: trail work is fun! A trail that you have worked on belongs to you in a way that it's difficult to put into words.

This is a rain or shine event, so watch the sky, and bring appropriate clothing. Bring work gloves. Please dress for all weather conditions. Bring plenty of water, daypack, and lunch. Hiking boots are recommended. 

Let's show everyone that GayOutdoors is serious about giving back to the hiking community, and let's show them what gay men can do! Will you come help us on this day? It's a full day and we expect to finish around 4pm. Water and snack breaks are taken throughout the day. Lunch may be occur on the trail itself.  

Lodging/Post-Hike Social: Due to the recent relaxation of the CDC guidelines, we have decided to offer free lodging Friday and Saturday night to the first four people who contact us as long as you show us your vaccination card that indicates your fully vaccinated. We are also cancelling the tailgate party and instead inviting everyone who can show us proof they have been fully vaccinated back to our house for showers and an BBQ! Please let us know you'll be joining us for the BBQ so we have enough food for everyone. It's a BYOB weekend and we cannot let you in on Friday until 7PM.

As part of GayOutdoors' philosophy, we believe in doing our part to give back to the community. We are really excited about seeing many members sign up for this trail maintenance event. It's great to see friends coming together and willing to give of their time/efforts to make a difference. I'm sure that you'd agree how very proud we are of GO and it's members for taking the initiative. Hats off to each of you. We look forward to seeing each of you at the Mt. Osceola Trail Maintenance Day. As a team, we can get a lot accomplished. Let's do it! 

Namaste and Happy Trails!
Jon and Mike