New Mexico Volunteers For The Outdoors

POSTPONED Dome Trail #151 Backpack
2026-08-20 09:00 - 2026-08-23 16:00 (America/Denver)
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THIS PROJECT IS POSTPONED TO A LATER DATE, DUE TO THE FRIJOLES FIRE.
Description: Join NMVFO on a four-day backpacking project to clear downed trees on the Dome Trail #151 in the Pecos Wilderness of the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF). The Dome Trail hasn’t been cleared for many years. Backcountry Horsemen of America will pack in our tools and water. The location of our basecamp will be provided after the trail is scouted in July.
While the project starts on Thursday, August 20th, you are welcome to join us on Friday or Saturday and spend as much time working with us as you can. Just let Mike Timmer know your schedule.
All tools will be provided. We will be using one- and two-person crosscut saws, pruning saws, and axes. USFS rules require all volunteers to wear ankle-high boots, long pants, long sleeves, hard hats (provided), work gloves, and eye protection (sunglasses okay) while working. Please bring a daypack to carry your lunch, snacks, sunblock, rain gear, and a full day’s supply of water.
Reminder: Pets are not allowed on NMVFO projects.
Please sign up below. The closing date for signups is August 17th at 5:00 pm
Difficulty:
Group size: Up to 15
Meet at: Meet at: Rio Quemado trailhead at coordinates 35.97214, -105.74862
How to find us: Look for the green NMVFO signs starting at Forest Road 306 southwest of Cordova, New Mexico.
For more information: If this is your first NMVFO project, you can find more information about difficulty ratings and what to expect at https://nmvfo.org/volunteer/volunteer-faq or email the project leader.
Please read our Volunteer Guidelines before signing up for this project.
On the signup form please leave the "Number of Volunteers" at 1. If you would like to sign up additional volunteers please submit multiple signups.

Juan Tomas (ABQ Open Space)
2026-08-22 08:30 - 14:00
Description: Albuquerque’s Open Space Division maintains five areas on the east side of the Sandia and Manzanita Mountains. The largest of these is the Juan Tomas Open Space, which encompasses 1,290 acres of primarily pinon-juniper and ponderosa forest growing at elevations up to 7,760 feet. Join us as we continue building a new trail to eventually replace an old eroded route under the guidance of Jim Sattler of the Open Space Division. The work area will be about a mile hike across level terrain from the parking lot. An Open Space crew will have already marked the new trail corridor with pin flags and chain-sawed any large trees. Using pick mattocks, McLeods, Pulaskis, loppers, hand saws, and shovels, we will clear out smaller vegetation and excavate a smooth well-drained tread for hikers, mountain bikes, and occasional horses. We may also build some rock retaining walls if needed.
Preparations: Wear long pants, sturdy boots or work shoes (no soft shoes or sandals), sun glasses, or other eye protection. We’ll be working in only partial shade, so wear a hat and put on some sunscreen. Bring work or gardening gloves if you have them; otherwise, loaners will be available. Also bring a day pack with plenty of water or other drinks, snacks or light lunch, and a rain jacket or poncho (especially if the monsoon season will be active).
Directions: From Albuquerque, take the Tijeras exit (#175) from I-40 and drive south on Highway 337 for 9 miles (bypassing Juan Tomas Road, which leads to a village). Turn east (left) on Oak Flat Road and continue about 2 miles to a dirt parking area with a pipe gate on the left side of the road. Please try to arrive no later than 8:30 AM. There will be two rosters to sign: one for the Open Space Division and other for NMVFO.
Difficulty:
Group Size: 25. If the project is full, please email the project leader to be put on a wait list.
Cost: Free!
PROJECT FULL

San Pedro Parks Fen Fencing Backpack
2026-08-31 08:30 - 2026-09-03 17:00
Description: Fens are hydrologic features, similar to a bog or marsh, that form in wet areas where topography and soils are just right. As you can imagine, they are rare in New Mexico. This fen also supports Arizona willow, a sensitive, rare species that cattle love to eat. This area is being heavily impacted by cattle grazing, so we are going to build a fence to protect the fen and the willow.
Tasks will be: pounding in T posts, stringing barbed wire, tying barbed wire to T posts with clips, remove old, small fence. Also, a big task will be making stays from saplings and tree branches. Stays are 1-2” diameter, 5’ long poles, and we need a lot of them to stabilize the fence wire.
We will camp on the edge of the forest, next to a big meadow with beautiful views. This is close to the work site, at 10,100’ elevation. This is near the junction of trails 34, 46, and 435, on Anastacio creek, with plenty of water, and cutthroat trout. The hike in is 3.2 miles, with a 2,000’ elevation climb, on a good trail (Los Pinos trail, on the west side, behind a locked gate).
Partners are the Forest Service, Back Country Horsemen, who will pack in the fence materials, tools, and cooking set-up, and Rio Grande Return, who will provide fence-building expertise.
Please bring: Volunteers will need to bring their own camping gear and meals, but hot water will be provided. They will also need long pants, long-sleeve shirts, safety glasses (sunglasses), and gloves. Hard hats will be provided, and will need to be carried up.
Location: Backpackers will meet at Cuba Ranger Station at 8:30AM August 31.
Difficulty: with 2000′ elevation climb, and elevation at 10,100′, with a 3.2 mile hike to the campsite.
Group size: 10
Closing date for sign-ups is August 25. More details will be sent to participants.
For questions, email s.harrelson@nmvfo.org
Please read our Volunteer Guidelines before signing up for this project.
On the signup form please leave the "Number of Volunteers" at 1. If you would like to sign up additional volunteers please submit multiple signups.
