Cardigan Highlanders Volunteer Trail Crew
Trailwork COVID-19 Practices
The NH Department of Natural and Cultural Resources has rescinded all COVID-19 guidance for volunteer groups operating in state parks, forests, and historic sites. Compliance with the Governor's Universal Best Practices COVID-19 guidance is encouraged, but it is not required. Local and Town ordinances concerning COVID-19 must still be adhered to, but that is not relevant to any of our usual work areas. So unless otherwise stated in the worktrip notice, the wearing of face masks on CHVTC work outings will not be required and will be a matter of personal preference. Social distancing will be encouraged where possible. Getting vaccinated is highly encouraged, but not required. HOWEVER, we will take the temperature of all arrivals for a workday, and we request those running a high temperature, or showing any of the usual symptoms of Covid illness, to stay home until they are fully recovered. Thank you for understanding.
Projects, Work Days and Volunteer Opportunities
Most current project on the top.
Sat., 6/25: Mount Kearsarge Rollins Trail, revet & dig ditches.
We'll meet at McDonald's on Rte. 103 in Warner at 0900, then drive several miles up to Rollins trailhead at about 2600' and a half mile below the summit of Mt Kearsarge, Likely forecast is ten degrees cooler than for the valley below. We'll hike up to a view, then work back downhill digging ditches and building retaining walls & revetting the treadway. This is needed because the original carriage road the trail uses is eroded down an average of four feet. There are waterbars to drain water away downhill, but little to collect water and drain it to them. We will also be opening up any old ditches uphill of the trail that can help collect water before it reaches the trail. Picks, shovels, loppers, saws, bars... the full range of our tools will be needed by each team of us.
Meet up time is 09:00 @ McDonald's in Warner, NH (map link below). Usual gear: daypack with clothes for the forecast weather, long pants, leather boots, food and water. BYO gloves or we issue you a pair. Tools supplied, but feel free to BYO. This is a short length of trail that needs a bit of defining. BTW, a leisurely lunch means we may take it on the summit.
If interested, please email cardiganhighlanders@gmail.com or use the contact form below to sign up and ask questions you have. Ideas or suggestions are welcome too. This is different from patrols, we just want to finish each fixture before we move on. Our name is on these trails.
I look forward to seeing everyone again. Craig Sanborn, CHVTC Trailmaster Meeting spot on Google Maps / Mount Kearsarge Trail Map from NH State Parks
Saturday, 6/18: Mt Sunapee, chairlift to summit & work downhill
The NH State Bird aka black fly having mostly gone home for the year, we begin our active building season on Mt Sunapee. We'll ride the Summit Chair at 10:00 and work downhill to our cars. We'll patrol these trails for blowdowns, dig or add drains as needed, note what more fixtures are needed, and gather for refreshments after work.
Bring usual gear for dayhike, BYO gloves or we'll issue a pair, tools supplied or BYO, long pants, leather boots (ticks!!), bug nets for hats lent for the day on request. BYO food and lots of water. If there be enough of us, we'll patrol more than one trail.
Meet time is 09:00 @ ski area parking uphill from the traffic circle. If interested, please email cardiganhighlanders@gmail.com or use the contact form below to sign up and ask questions. Meeting Spot on Google Maps Sunapee Hiking Trail Map PDF
Thanks for your interest, Craig Sanborn, CHVTC Trailmaster
Fri. 5/13: Cole Pond Trail, Enfield NH
We have a job 0.8 miles up the trail. I patrolled it last 4/11, and this time we'll lug a pre-cut kit of PT lumber and build another bog bridge to extend those we built in 2017.
As we descend we can finish the patrol, dig out a few waterbars, add a bit more barricade, etc. Total time about four hours, then refreshments at Proctor's General Store.
For this short workday, bring usual gear for a dayhike in warm sunny dry weather, especially water and snack. BYO gloves or we'll issue you a pair. Wear broad-brim hat or baseball cap: NH State Bird is flying in squadrons, so our bug nets will be lent for the day. Cold drinks at Proctor's Store after work. If interested, please email cardiganhighlanders@gmail.com or use the contact form below to sign up and ask questions. Meet time is 09:00 @ Cole Pond Trailhead (Henry Laramie WMA) on Bog Rd. in Enfield.
All the Best, Craig Sanborn, CHVTC Trailmaster Cole Pond Trailhead on Google Maps PDF trail map from NH Fish & Game
Saturday 5/7/2022: Spring patrol Cardigan trails
Happy Spring, trail crew. We'll assume the gate on the road to Cardigan is open. DOT will ring me when it is. If it isn't, this workday will change to Cole Pond Trail on Bog Road in Enfield.
There we'll lug 2 2x4x8' PT + 15 5/4x6x16" PT 0.8 mi. up to the bog bridges we built in Sep 2017; that site needs one more. Then we visit the pond, patrol back downhill,
Cold drinks in Enfield Center after work.
But if we can drive to Cardigan, we'll hike as much of our trail mileage up there as we can,, chop blowdowns, rake drains etc. Level 1 chores, but we do them year after year at the right times. Our name is on these trails.
Usual gear for day hike, gloves issued on request, tools supplied or BYO, patrol in teams of at least 2 crew, and several is better. Stretch the legs and enjoy the view, w/ refreshments after work.
Meet 0900 @ Canaan Green, jct of NH Rtes. 4 + 118. Re-acquaint with each other after 6 months off. It's Spring! Please email cardiganhighlanders@gmail.com or use the contact form below to sign up and ask questions.
Yours ay, Craig Sanborn, CHVTC Trailmaster
Trail Map from NH State Parks Canaan Green meet spot on Google Maps
Most current project on the top.
Fri. 5/13: Cole Pond Trail, Enfield NH
We have a job 0.8 miles up the trail. I patrolled it last 4/11, and this time we'll lug a pre-cut kit of PT lumber and build another bog bridge to extend those we built in 2017.
As we descend we can finish the patrol, dig out a few waterbars, add a bit more barricade, etc. Total time about four hours, then refreshments at Proctor's General Store.
For this short workday, bring usual gear for a dayhike in warm sunny dry weather, especially water and snack. BYO gloves or we'll issue you a pair. Wear broad-brim hat or baseball cap: NH State Bird is flying in squadrons, so our bug nets will be lent for the day. Cold drinks at Proctor's Store after work. If interested, please email cardiganhighlanders@gmail.com or use the contact form below to sign up and ask questions. Meet time is 09:00 @ Cole Pond Trailhead (Henry Laramie WMA) on Bog Rd. in Enfield.
All the Best, Craig Sanborn, CHVTC Trailmaster Cole Pond Trailhead on Google Maps PDF trail map from NH Fish & Game
Saturday 5/7/2022: Spring patrol Cardigan trails
Happy Spring, trail crew. We'll assume the gate on the road to Cardigan is open. DOT will ring me when it is. If it isn't, this workday will change to Cole Pond Trail on Bog Road in Enfield.
There we'll lug 2 2x4x8' PT + 15 5/4x6x16" PT 0.8 mi. up to the bog bridges we built in Sep 2017; that site needs one more. Then we visit the pond, patrol back downhill,
Cold drinks in Enfield Center after work.
But if we can drive to Cardigan, we'll hike as much of our trail mileage up there as we can,, chop blowdowns, rake drains etc. Level 1 chores, but we do them year after year at the right times. Our name is on these trails.
Usual gear for day hike, gloves issued on request, tools supplied or BYO, patrol in teams of at least 2 crew, and several is better. Stretch the legs and enjoy the view, w/ refreshments after work.
Meet 0900 @ Canaan Green, jct of NH Rtes. 4 + 118. Re-acquaint with each other after 6 months off. It's Spring! Please email cardiganhighlanders@gmail.com or use the contact form below to sign up and ask questions.
Yours ay, Craig Sanborn, CHVTC Trailmaster
Trail Map from NH State Parks Canaan Green meet spot on Google Maps