NMVFO plans 20+ volunteer work projects each year. Click here for a printable overview of the current project season, and check back often for additional information posted as it becomes available. To receive updates and detailed information about upcoming projects and events, be sure to sign up for the NMVFO newsletter on the Home page. Public land agencies that are interested in proposing a project should contact our Projects Team (projects@nmvfo.org) for more information and our easy-to-complete project proposal form.
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East Railroad Trail Backpack (Gila NF)
Contact Leader(s): Melissa Green, m.green@nmvfo.org with any questions.
Description: Lots of brushing, in addition to logging, trail marking, and tread work with our partners Gila Back Country Horsemen. A map of the project is at https://caltopo.com/m/865CL65.
Hikers and equine-riders will all meet the Upper Gallinas Campground. Hikers will pass off 40 lbs or less of personal gear to be packed in and then drive to the Railroad Trailhead to start hiking in. The packers will ride from Gallinas Campground, packing into the hiker basecamp. Once at basec camp, hikers will set up camp and work from there. The packers will ride back to Upper Gallinas Campground and basecamp there for the rest of the project, riding up each day to log. At the end of the project, the packers will pack out the hikers.
What to bring: Come prepared with layers. See the packing list and a more detailed description at this link
Food and Water: Gila BCH homemade vacuum-sealed meals (breakfasts and dinners) will be available for this project. We can accommodate meat eaters, vegetarians, and some gluten-free diets. But you can also bring your own breakfasts and dinners if you prefer.
Everyone will need to provide their own lunches and snacks.
Please bring water for the hike to base camp. We will provide jugs of water at base camp or if there is water in the creek, we will filter water. There is not always water on the trail where we will work, so bring a 4-quart water capacity.
Why This Trail: This trail is easy to access since it starts near Highway 152.
Directions: 8 am Upper Gallinas Campground.
Difficulty: 
Be able to hike up to 6 miles per day. The elevation is from 7,000 to 9,660 feet.
For more information: go to the Gila Trails Info website.
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.