Volunteer with GayOutdoors members for a day of trail work on our adopted trail, Mt. Osceola. We believe that enjoying the outdoors comes with responsibility: we practice and promote stewardship so the lands and waters that sustain us remain healthy for generations. Mt. Osceola is extremely popular in summer due to its gradual ascent to the highest peak in Waterville Valley, standing at 4,340 feet on the New Hampshire four-thousand-footer list. The summit ledges offer expansive panoramic views and make this a well-loved destination for hikers. If you plan on reaching the summit, it's 3.2 miles with 2,200 feet elevation gain.

Our workday will focus on clearing drainages, removing blowdowns, and trimming back branches that encroach into the trail corridor. We welcome volunteers who love the outdoors, enjoy hands-on conservation work, and are excited to spend the day working alongside GayOutdoors members. You decide how much work you would like to do! Some members strive to reach the summit while others work partway up the trail and turn around earlier, and that is perfectly fine.

You do not need prior trail work experience to participate, as training will be provided on site. We will supply tools including fire rakes, grub hoes, saws, and loppers, and we rotate tools throughout the day so everyone can try different tasks. Please meet us at Mt. Osceola Vista Campground Group Site at 8:00 AM in Waterville Valley, NH where we distribute the trail maintenance tools and brief you on how we perform trail maintenance. Parking can be challenging so we'll carpool to the trailhead.

Bring snacks, lunch, water, and the gear you would normally carry for a hike, along with sturdy work gloves. Many participants will also be camping at the nearby Mt. Osceola Vista Campground Group Site in Waterville Valley, NH for the weekend, which is listed separately on the Events Calendar. Camping is free for Sustaining Members and $10 for everyone else, and registration is required.

We take care of the places that take care of us. Stewardship means traveling lightly, learning local regulations, practicing Leave No Trace, and supporting conservation through volunteering, education, and partnerships: We follow Leave No Trace principles and model good trail etiquette. We respect wildlife, habitats, and seasonal closures. We pack out what we pack in—and pick up what we didn’t bring. We support trail organizations, land trusts, and community clean-ups.

Thank you in advance to everyone who volunteers. Your efforts are critical to keeping trails open, safe, and accessible for all, and the White Mountain National Forest greatly appreciates the work we do together. We look forward to another rewarding season of stewardship and hope to see you on the trail.

Happy Trails,

GayOutdoors Conservation and Stewardship Committee