More on AmeriCorps*NCCC Highlands Trail Projects This Spring

By Carroll Jett

More Volunteers Needed Right Away!

In last month’s Voice we wrote of the West Virginia Highlands Conservancy agreement to partner with the West Virginia Trails Coalition in sponsoring an extensive trail maintenance and improvement project on the Seneca Creek headwaters .

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.

I’m kind of surprised that no one has as yet volunteered for this project since the "work" entailed is only a kind of extension of hiking in some beautiful country. Between now and May 1, we need to hike all the trails mentioned below (refer to The Mon Hiking Guide by DeHart and Sundquist) 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. Check next month’s Voice to get a further update.

Trails To Be Scouted
#512 Judy Springs Trail 0.7 mi.
#515 Seneca Ck. Trail 5.0 mi.
#527 Big Run Trail 3.1 mi.
#528 North Prong Trail 2.8 mi.
#529 Swallow Rock Trail 3.2 mi.
#530 Horton Trail 3.5 mi.
#531 Bear Hunter Trail 1.0 mi.
#532 Alleg. Mt. Trail 12.4 mi.
#533 Huckleberry Trail 3.2 mi.
#534 Lumberjack Trail 3.3 mi.
#555 Bee Trail 1.4 mi.
#556 Elza Trail 2.0 mi.
#557 Leading Ridge Trail 5.1 mi.
#559 Tom Lick Trail 1.1 mi.
#561 Spring Ridge Trail 3.2 mi.
#562 Short Trail 0.5 mi.
#I-51 Gatewood Trail 2.3 mi.
#526 Back Ridge Trail 5.0 mi.

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.

If you would like to be involved with the project or offer ideas and suggestions, contact Dave Saville (POB 569, Morgantown, WV 26507; phone, 284-9548; e-mail <daves@labs.net>): or myself, Carroll Jett, 397 Claylick Rd.,Sherman, WV 26164; phone, 273-5247; e-mail, <carrolljett@yahoo.com>