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The team from Town 4 Trail Services is laying granite slabs to be used as staircase steps in places along the trail that need extra reinforcement against erosion. These stones hold loose or crumbling dirt in place and prevent run off of water and soil from occurring where the trail gets steepest. Plus, it provides consistent staircase which serves as an easier route for hikers, and keeps visitors from leaving the trail.
The Forest Society’s sustainable trail work continues at Mount Major this month and is on track to be completed by mid-August. Significant progress has been made building a new section of trail to replace the severely eroded section of the Main Trail as the project reaches the halfway mark.
Jed Talbot, owner of OBP Trailworks, which is building the trail in partnership with Town 4 Trail Services, said the area has very large boulders, as expected.
“It’s a slow process, excavating in terrain like this but I think the trail is turning out really, really well and I think it’s going to be absolutely beautiful,” he said last week.
While construction is underway, the parking lot is closed, as well as lower sections of the Main Trail. There's parking along the highway and a marked detour to the Main Trail. Hikers should park along the highway on the side closest to the lot – and not cross the highway to park. (It’s dangerous and vehicles may be ticketed by the town.) You can read frequently asked questions about the Mt. Major trail project here.
Sustainable trail construction is not a small undertaking. To support the project, the Forest Society must raise $300,000.