DATE: May 20, 2017 to May 20, 2017
Volunteering Mt. Osceola Trail Maintenance Weekend

Meeting Time: 8:00 AM

Event Coordinator: Gandalf
Waterville Valley, NH
US

Max # People: 15

Trip Guiding / Event Fee: No, I will not be asking participants for money

Difficulty Level: Moderate

SUMMARY:

Join us on our annual trail maintenance weekend where we work on our adopted trail. Free lodging all weekend! Great meals! Bonfire and Fireworks! Thanks as always for your efforts in keeping our adopted trail in great shape. If you know of any member interested in trail work, please try to convince them to join us this weekend!   

As a general reminder, trail adopting basically involves three things in this order: cleaning drains and water bars to reduce erosion, keeping the path open by removing blow downs, brushing back vegetation that encroaches on the trail and blazing the trail as needed. The most important task is cleaning the drainages to reduce erosion. 

You don't have to spend the weekend with us to participate...even if you can join us for just the day, we could really use the help! 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! Check out last year's pictures. A trail that you have worked on belongs to you in a way that it's difficult to put into words.

We will be splitting up into two groups. One group will work from the Tripoli Road while the other group from the Kancamagus Highway side. 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. 

We meet at our house at 8AM on Saturday for introductions, choosing tools, and then carpool to the trailhead. It's a full day and we expect to finish between 4-5pm. Water and snack breaks are taken throughout the day. You are responsible for bringing your own lunch. Keep in mind the day involves hiking 7 miles and going up 2,025 feet. If it becomes too much for you, you can turn around on your own and perform a 'second trail maintenance sweep' on the way down. That's OK. You can wait for us back at the cars. 

To say THANK YOU for your efforts you are invited back at our house for the kickin' Hungry Hiker BBQ Feast we put on. Everyone is invited. Please come back and enjoy this feast with your trail maintenance buddies. We hope your plans will allow you to join us for this feast IN YOUR HONOR! You'll also be eligible for a free White Mountain National Forest parking pass after 16 hours of work [we take care of the recordkeeping]. After the BBQ feast we have a bonfire in the backyard followed by FIREWORKS!!!

Everyone is invited to spend a FREE weekend at our house Friday and/or Saturday night with breakfast each morning. We only have 8 bunks so the first 8 guys that contact us to reserve will get one. Let us know if it’s the entire weekend or just Saturday night. If we run out of room, you can tent outside; please also let us know if you'll be tenting. 

Thank you again for your efforts.  Have a safe and enjoyable hiking season.

Yours on trails,

Jon and Mike

Driving directions to the location and spot to meet at:

If you are spending Friday night with us, we cannot let you in until 7pm since we both work. Otherwise, on Saturday, meet at our house for 8:00 am so we can make introductions, distribute tools, and arrange carpooling to the trailhead. We are meeting at our house: 676 Upper Mad River Road, Thornton, NH. 

Take I-93 and use Exit 28. At the end of the ramp take right onto Rte 49 East for 3.5 miles and take a left on Burbank Hill Road.

During this 3.5 miles, you'll pass a traffic light where there is a dam on your right, then pass a White Mountain National Forest campground and then see a former restaurant for sale on your left. About a mile after the restaurant, you'll see Burbank Hill Road on the left (Goose Hollow Campground sign). If you cross the Mad River on the bridge, you just missed the left turn.

Take a left onto steep Burbank Hill Road and you’ll quickly reach the top of the hill where you take your first right onto Upper Mad River Road (Hiking Sign). The road will soon turn into gravel, you'll pass two apartments on your right and then a house. Our property begins right after this house and after about 200 yards you’ll see a mailbox with "676" which is our house. The house is not very visible from the road.

We now have parking for a number of cars in a gravel lot at the end of the driveway to the right. Be mindful when you park that we are trying to fit a lot of cars so be considerate of other members. If the lot is full when you arrive, please unload your gear and drive back up to the upper parking lot.