NMVFO plans 20+ volunteer work projects each year. Click here for a printable overview of the 2024 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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Jerky Mountains Backpack (Gila NF)
May 1, 2023 @ 8:00 AM - May 5, 2023 @ 2:00 PM
Contact Leader(s): Melissa Green, m.green@nmvfo.org with any questions.
RESULTS: Melissa Green led this project on the northwest side of the Gila Wilderness. The crew made 1 mile of new tread (switchbacks between Turkey Feather Pass and Jerky Mountains), removed 277 logs, constructed 70 trail markers and 10 drains in addition to spot brushing.
Description: Come join us as we partner with the Gila Chapter of the NM Back Country Horsemen on an extended horse-supported backpack project in the Jerky Mountains area of the Gila Wilderness. See below for information from the Gila BCH website:
“This trail work will connect with other trail work we are doing earlier in the spring. We will also be relogging trails we worked on several years ago. These trails are used by multiple types of trail users and will benefit many. The views are amazing, and there is mixed conifer by the creeks. While fire has affected this area some, it is mostly unburned and pristine. The hiker crew will backpack to Turkey Feather Pass with support from a few horse packers. If there is no water nearby we will have water packed in. The hiker crew will work on the Lilley Mountain Trail #164 over the Jerky Mountains while the equine crew works on trails near their (separate) basecamp. Rain is possible. Mornings and evenings may be cool. Days will likely be warm to hot.
(Optional camping at the Ben Lilley Campground or Willow Creek Campground the night before the project. Please bring your own food and water.) We will meet at the Willow Creek Corrals (**see note about directions below) at 8:00AM on Monday, May 1 for introductions, work objectives, safety talk and gear check. We will give the packers our food and a bit of our gear before our 6.5 mile hike to basecamp.
Food: 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. Water: Please bring water for the hike to basecamp. There are options to refill and filter water at mile 3. At basecamp we will drink out of water jugs if there is no water in the meadow. There is no water on the trails where we will be working so please bring 4-quart water capacity. We will provide: Tools, hard hats, trail and safety training, project supervision, and first aid kit with Wilderness First Responder trained personnel.”
**Although the map to the meeting location is linked above, please do not use Google Maps for the final approach to Willow Creek Corrals. Instead, see the BCH website description for directions, packing list and further information about this project. Please sign up below by Friday, April 21.
Difficulty: 
Group Size: 15 (6 from NMVFO). If the project is full, please email the project leader to be put on a waitlist.
For more information: If this is your first NMVFO project, you can find more information about difficulty ratings and what to expect at Volunteer FAQ, or email the project leader.
Please read our Volunteer Guidelines before signing up for this project.
Sign up by clicking below:
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.