Accomplishments from the 13th Annual Monadnock Trails Week

A look inside caring for New England's most popular trails

July 27, 2018

Tags:: Volunteers

Looking back at the Mount Monadnock Summit after another successful Monadnock Trails Week — Reporting by Andy Crowley and photos by Emily Lord (unless otherwise mentioned).

Each year, the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests and New Hampshire State Parks host trail improvement projects at Monadnock State Park. In any given year, over 200,000 people hike its trails, which means we need a lot of volunteer help. 13th Annual Monadnock Trails Week was a success thanks to 486 volunteer hours logged over 4 days, plus another 192 hours contributed by Forest Society staff. Volunteers came from near and far to contribute to the restoring these well-loved trails. All training was provided on-site.

We pulled together some quick stats from the week along with a few of our favorite photos. Thank you to all the volunteers and staff who joined us this year. We hope to see you again next year. Bring a friend - we love to see new faces at trails week!

Volunteers hike in tools for trail restoration projects on Mount Monadnock — Volunteers hiking in tools for trail restoration projects on Mount Monadnock

Soil on the trails here eroded long ago, exposing rocks and roots — Soil on Mount Monadnock

Volunteers use rock bars to place rocks that will help keep hikers on the trail

Trail work still happens in the rain! — Between Sunday and Tuesday we saw 2.46 inches of rain (including a record setting 1.91 inches on Monday!)

Volunteer Bob Humphrey is also a member of the Cardigan Highlanders Volunteer Trail Crew

Newly finished stone steps blend into the existing rocky trail

Bog bridges were built out of native timber on site. Right photo by Carrie Deegan.

Volunteers installed new bog bridges on the White Arrow Trail and a XC Ski Trail

Volunteers showcase a completed bog bridge on the XC Ski Trail. Photo by Carrie Deegan.

Many hands make light work when it comes to hiking in new deck boards! Photo by Carrie Deegan.

Rocks and mineral soil are used to create "waterbars" that help move water off the trail

Making a clear path for the water to get off the trail as quickly as possible. — Intern Hannah and others making a clear path for the water to get off the trail as quickly as possible.

Volunteer Ray Jackson proudly displays one of the many new or reconstructed water bars

Volunteer smiles! Photo by Carrie Deegan

The kick-off to Monadnock Trails Week — We started the week with an enthusiastic gathering at Monadnock State Park headquarters

Signs of a successful trails week — You know it