Trail Condition Report Form

AmeriCorps*NCCC Team Taking On Highlands Trail Projects This Spring

By Carroll Jett
More Volunteers Needed!
The West Virginia Highlands Conservancy has agreed to partner with the West Virginia Trails Coalition in sponsoring an extensive trail maintenance and improvement project on the Seneca Creek headwaters.
The opportunity arose when the Trails Coalition received preliminary approval for the assignment of a team from the AmeriCorps*NCCC program for a minimum three week assignment to do trail improvement work in the Monongahela National Forest area. This program (National Civilian Community Corps) provides an opportunity for young people between 18 and 24 who want to volunteer for 1 to 3 years of National Service. They are dispatched in teams of 10 to 15 members, led by a team leader. Together, they accomplish projects in four areas – environment, education, public safety, and other human needs. AmeriCorps*NCCC teams also serve in disaster relief and fight forest fires.

In addition to making a generous financial contribution, the West Virginia Highlands Conservancy has committed to help recruit volunteers to help coordinate the project and to also participate in the "grunt work" which is tentatively scheduled to begin May 20.

OK, so now we have mentioned "volunteers" twice. You are probably wondering what we need "volunteers" to do, right? Actually, it’s a pretty cool assignment. Referring to your Monongahela National Forest Hiking Guide (written by Allen deHart and Bruce Sundquist) you will see over 50 miles of trails listed in the Spruce Knob area. They are listed again below, but the hiking guide is a huge help. You can get one from Dave Saville, or order online at www.wvhighlands.org. Between now and May 1, we need to hike all these segments and get updated trail conditions so we can schedule the needed work more effectively. So that we don’t duplicate our efforts and end up with 25 updates on the same trail, you could either e-mail or give me a call and I will keep a chart on what still needs to be covered. I will do monthly updates in the Voice until the project actually kicks off in May. The bulk of these probably won’t actually be covered before late March/April, but if you want to do a particular segment we can put you down before someone else reserves it.
 
Trails To Be Scouted
Status
#512 Judy Springs Trail 0.7 mi.
Still available
#515 Seneca Ck. Trail 5.0 mi.
Still available
#527 Big Run Trail 3.1 mi.
Volunteer scout has committed
#528 North Prong Trail 2.8 mi.
Volunteer scout has committed
#529 Swallow Rock Trail 3.2 mi.
Volunteer scout has committed
#530 Horton Trail 3.5 mi.
Volunteer scout has committed
#531 Bear Hunter Trail 1.0 mi.
Volunteer scout has committed
#532 Alleg. Mt. Trail 12.4 mi.
Volunteer scout has committed
#533 Huckleberry Trail 3.2 mi.
Still available
#534 Lumberjack Trail 3.3 mi.
Volunteer Scout has committed
#555 Bee Trail 1.4 mi.
Scouting report received
#556 Elza Trail 2.o mi.
Still available
#557 Leading Ridge Trail 5.1 mi.
Still available
#559 Tom Lick Trail 1.1 mi.
Volunteer scout has committed
#561 Spring Ridge Trail 3.2 mi.
Scouting report received
#562 Short Trail 0.5 mi.
Still available
#I-51 Gatewood Trail 2.3 mi.
Still available
#526 Back Ridge Trail 5.0 mi
Still available
 

Once the physical trail work begins (May 20), we will need a steady supply of "worker bees" for the next three weeks. Besides the front line trail maintenance workers, we will need support troops. The team will be headquartered at Shot Cherry Cabin, and some of the projects can be worked from there on a daily commuting basis. However, some of the projects will require the team to hit the trail for three or four days at a time. We will need people to shuttle supplies and equipment, keep the base camp supplied, etc. We will also need to plan and organize some educational/recreational activities for the team members. Additional details will appear in the next few issues of the Voice as plans come together. If you would like to be involved with the project or offer your ideas/ suggestions, contact Dave Saville or myself.