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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Little Whitewater Trail Backpack (Gila NF) (Date and location change)
March 23, 2023 @ 8:00 AM - March 26, 2023 @ 1:00 PM
Contact Leader(s): Melissa Green, m.green@nmvfo.org; Anna Flessner, a.flessner@nmvfo.org with any questions.
(Note: The project dates changed from March 16-19 to March 23-26, and the location changed to Allie/Bear Loop, due to weather. The March 30 project originally planned for Allie/Bear was cancelled due to weather.)
RESULTS: Nine volunteers from the Gila Chapter of Backcountry Horsemen and NMVFO improved 1.75 miles of trail – building 39 cairns, blazing 20 trees, and removing 15 logs, along with brushing 6 drains and tread work, on Bear Canyon Trail 104.
Description: Come join us as we partner with the Gila Chapter of the NM Back Country Horsemen on a horse-supported backpack project near Glenwood. See below for information from the Gila BCH website:
“Our work will tie into later Forest Service trail work, reopening more loops in the Glenwood District. Most of the repairs are from deferred maintenance and post-Whitewater Baldy Fire in 2012. Optional: camping at a nearby campground the night before the project (please bring your own food and water). Camping options include Bighorn Campground just off of 180, only a few minutes from the meeting place, or Cosmic Campground north of Alma on 180, 20-minute drive to meeting place.
On Thursday we will meet between 8:00-8:30AM at Glenwood Community Park for introductions, work objectives, safety talk and gear check. We will give the packers our food and a bit of our gear, then carpool to a location near our trailhead. Because the last ¼ mile on the road to the trailhead is in bad condition, we will park at a small pull-off at the gate and hike to basecamp from there. People with high clearance vehicles are welcome to drive all the way to the trailhead. From the trailhead the hike to basecamp is 4.25 miles. This is a dry camp so water will be packed in. We will have our Seek Outside hot tent with us for the cool mornings and evenings. Day temperatures should be pleasant.
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. We will provide jugs of water at basecamp. There is no water on the trail where we will be working so bring 3-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.”
Please see the BCH website description for a packing list and more information! Sign up below by Sunday, March 19.
Difficulty: 
Group Size: 12
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.