Posts by Wes Tucker
Do you know the way to Newbury? Just ask Jack and June.
On July 17, two Cardigan Highlanders, Dave & Craig, took advantage of the perfect weather and went up Jack and June Junction near the top of Mount Sunapee. Sitting at the convergence of the Newbury Trail and Solitude Trail / M-S Greenway, this is an important signpost directing hikers where they want to go. They…
Read MoreJune 6, 2026: National Trails Day on Mount Kearsarge
Six people gathered in Winslow State Park at the base of Mount Kearsarge. Three who signed up via Nature Groupie attended plus three Cardigan Highlanders. We split into teams of three. Dubbing themselves the uphill team and the downhill team, they took their tools and hiked up the Winslow Trail to the worksites. The two…
Read MoreAnatomy of a Spring Patrol
By Wes Tucker Anybody who has spent time in New Hampshire knows that there are more seasons than just the basic four. The spring thaw is followed by mud season. Then fast on it’s heels comes black fly season. But wedged in between them is a brief window of time that Cardigan Highlanders call spring…
Read More19th Annual Monadnock Trails Week, Sept. 4-8
Monadnock Trails Week is a collaboration betweem the Society for the Protection of NH Forests, and NH State Parks. The goal is to protect, improve, and promote the trails of the Monadnock Region. Monadnock Trails Week has been an annual event since 2006. CHVTC will be there working on the Marlboro Traul. For complete details…
Read More7/19/25: West Ridge Trail, Swapping Out Old Broken Fir Log Steps for New Ones
Halfway up Mount Cardigan’s West Ridge Trail, in the woods, ’twas rather cool on Saturday morning. We were a crew of three: Ben, Andrew K., and TM Craig. We were an hour hiking to the jobsite, then took hand tools into the woods in search of the wily and shy 10″ fir tree. On finding…
Read MoreSpringtime Trails: A Time to Tread Lightly
By Wes Tucker As with most things, spring is a time of transition for a hiking trail. So before you lace up your boots and rush off to the trailhead, please give a thought to the trail itself. Spring is a vulnerable time for a hiking trail. All winter long the treadways (the part of…
Read MoreDoctor Trail-love Or: How I Learned to Stop Postholing and Love My Snowshoes
By Wes Tucker I’ll grant you, the snow amounts so far this winter have been underwhelming. But it’s winter in New Hampshire, and that usually means snow… lots of snow. So when the snow does fall, and you plan to hike the trails, you’re going to need a pair of snowshoes. Many new winter hikers…
Read MoreCHVTC 2025 Job List (so far)
Trailmaster Craig has released his wish list for the 2025 trailwork season. Of course we’ll have all our usual Level 1 maintenance work to do; Spring patrols, clearing blowdowns and drains, brushing, touching up blazes, and such. This list of Level 2 projects, building fixtures, steps, waterbars, etc., requires more planning and specialized skills. Equal…
Read MoreBob Sawyer! And Other News.
Congratulations to Team Leader Bob for getting recertified by the state of NH as a chainsawer. Bob took part in the state’s chainsaw safety course on Saturday and passed with flying colors. He is now certified for the next 3 years. Well done! So if you catch a whiff of chainsaw exhaust and bar oil…
Read MoreA Sign of Things to Come
Last July, after many long years of service, the trailhead sign at Mount Sunapee’s Andrew Brook Trail was found lying on the ground. The sign had passed on. The sign was no more. It had ceased to be. It expired and gone to meet its maker. It’s a stiff! Bereft of life, it rests in…
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