Adopt-a-Trail (Carson NF)

Contact Leader(s): Catlin Herrera, c.herrera@nmvfo.org; Tom Slocum, t.slocum@nmvfo.org with any questions.

Description: Come join us for our returning project on NMVFO’s adopted trail, Middle Fork 24 on the Camino Real Ranger District. We will begin work at 9AM Saturday morning from our group campsite, but you are welcome to join us anytime Friday after 2PM for camping and dinner at a local restaurant in Peñasco. Our adopted section takes us roughly two miles south along the Rio Santa Barbara from the campground. We’ll remove downed trees, brush back encroaching vegetation and focus significantly on improving drainage and address erosion issues along the trail. Tools and hard hats will be provided.

This year there will be two groups of people working in Carson.  A  backpacking group and a  car camping group. Please see the details below:

Backpacking Group

• Friday: Hike in and camp at the last meadow before No Fish Lake.
• Saturday: Clear blowdowns from the upper end of the West Fork Trail (last creek crossing up the switchbacks). In the evening, hike back down to rejoin and have dinner with the car camping group.
• Sunday: Work with the full group on the Middle Fork 24 Trail.
• Meals Provided: Saturday dinner & Sunday breakfast.

Car Camping Group

• Friday: Meet for dinner at a local restaurant, then camp at the campground.
• Saturday: Work on the Middle Fork 24 Trail, clearing blowdowns, brushing back vegetation, and improving drainage.
• Sunday: Continue working on the Middle Fork 24 Trail with the full group.
• Meals Provided: Saturday & Sunday breakfast, Saturday dinner.

Both Groups

• Saturday Night: Join together for dinner and camp at the trailhead.
• Sunday: Work on the Middle Fork 24 Trail before wrapping up.

Required gear: sturdy boots, work gloves, long sleeves, long pants, eye protection (sunglasses okay). Please also bring a day pack, snacks, trail lunch, sunblock, rain gear, and plenty of water for each work day.  We’ll plan for a long day on Saturday, ending at around 4:00. On Sunday we’ll plan to be heading out by 2PM.

For camping, feel free to bring a cooler for beverages (adult or other). A camp chair is also a good idea. Nights could be chilly and rain is possible, so come prepared!

The Santa Barbara Campground has pit toilets. It’s a nice campground, and our adopted section of trail is very pleasant, in sight of the Rio Santa Barbara for most of its length. Hope to see you there!

Difficulty:

Group Size: up to 15. Please sign up by June 15.

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.