7/7 0n Andrew Brook Trail: They did it! Trail is brushed, blazed, & drains raked.

We hosted a YMCA crew of 10 teenagers, all 16 y.o., and two adult leaders on Andrew Brook Trail on Mt. Sunapee. It takes some time to drive them to that trailhead, drive their van around the mountain to the ski area, drive their driver back to the trailhead, brief them on safe and proper use of hand tools, and see two teams start leapfrogging up the trail, brushing as they go.

Then there was a blazing team of two volunteers, whose job was to repaint every blaze on the two miles of trail. They missed none, and added ~5% more at places where hikers may be confused.

We stopped for food and water sooner than we could, e.g. we lunched at the 2nd crossing of the brook, 1/2 mile in. Eat little but often, and drink lots of water. Thus did everyone make good enough time uphill. The brushers left a clear corridor to standard 4'w x 8'h. The blazers were using a blue two shades darker than the last one. The paint is a latex gloss and it shines brightly in a flashlight beam. Their host and guide raked leaves from all drains downhill of the 2nd brook crossing, where we left off on June 18.

By 1500 we had finished the work, so took a break on the shore of Lake Solitude, where the crew enjoyed their snack of shortbread (Walker's, of Aberlour in Strathspey). At 1520 we began the hike of a mile uphill to the summit, where we arrived at 1630. Ten minutes later we caught the chairlift ride down the mountain to their van. They must have liked that one. They heard the thanks they just earned3, and we all made it down in time for supper. A grand time in fine summer weather.

Craig Sanborn, CHVTC
Trailmaster