Trip/Event Location: Waterville Valley, NHUS
Trip Leader(s): Gandalf , JDNnh
Max # People: 15
Trip Guiding / Event Fee: No, I will not be asking participants for money
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Volunteer with GayOutdoors members for a day of trail work on our adopted trail, Mt. Osceola! Mt. Osceola is extremely popular in summer due to its gradual ascent to the highest peak in
At exit 28 of Interstate 93, northbound travelers turn right at the end of the exit ramp and drive 10 miles to Waterville Valley on NH 49 East. As you enter Waterville Valley turn left, and drive towards the Waterville Valley Ski area and be sure not to miss the right turn to Tripoli Road. From NH 49, it's 4.5 miles on a gravel road to the crest of the 2,300 foot pass. You'll probably have to park on one side of the road. We'll meet at the parking area kiosk. We'll be driving a blue Toyota Tacoma Truck.
The day was so much fun for everyone - we had volunteers from all ages, all out enjoying the camaraderie of shared work to help support the trails we love! Mt. Osceola is extremely popular in summer due to its gradual ascent to the highest peak in Waterville Valley, on the NH four-thousand-footer list at 4,340 feet and has a vast panorama from its summit ledges!
Our group included members of GayOutdoors Pemi Valley Hikers. We are fortunate to have these groups as partners, and our trails project fit in well with our philosophy of getting involved with given back to the trails!
Mike Boisvert and Jon Normand, crew leaders, really made the day a fun and educational experience. I'm not sure if anyone in the group will ever be able to pass another water bar again without wanting to clear the debris out of it!
We spent the day cleaning 51 water bars, removed two blowdowns and cleared back encroaching vegetation. Large crowds out today despite the cloudy weather, but everyone, and I mean everyone, was kind and respectful of fellow hikers. We love these kinds of people!
And throughout the day, we received a multitude of thanks of hikers passing by. Afterwards, we invited everyone back at Mike and Jon’s house along the Mad River for some appetizers/ beverages followed by a BBQ feast that included balsamic marinated grilled chicken, vegetable lasagna, penne pasta topped with a vodka cream sauce, roasted ginger carrots and rosemary potatoes, steamed broccoli and for dessert, a NY style cheesecake with red velvet cake and cream cheese frosting. YUM!
As we look back on the day, it really hit home the importance of GayOutdoors. GO is a resource to perform trail maintenance projects around the White Mountain National Forest and to protect our trails by getting involved with sweat equity. It’s really rewarding to be able to look back and see the work we do together. We want to thank everyone who helped out. We cannot even begin to say how much fun he had working with you all. Thank you all so much, for everything. We hope this inspires more to join us next year!
Mike and Jon
Outdoor Fitness Level: Very Strenuous
Outdoor Fitness Level: Strenuous
Outdoor Fitness Level: Moderate to Strenuous
Comment: Next time you have trail work that needs to get done let me know I'll be back.
Comment: Looks like you got a great group for this event. I wish I was closer to be part of this effort. --Frank
