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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Quarai Mission Trail (Salinas Pueblo Missions NM)
April 2, 2022 @ 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Contact Leader(s): Ed DiBello, 505-705-2584, e.dibello@nmvfo.org; Don Lemke, d.lemke@nmvfo.org with any questions.
RESULTS: Seventeen NMVFO and Friends of the Salinas Pueblo Missions volunteers worked with National Park Service staff to rehabilitate the Spanish Corral Trail. NMVFO crews originally built this one mile loop trail in 1996. This year, we added wood chips to improve the tread. The trail is classified as “primitive,” so we did not widen the corridor. The purpose of the chips is to absorb moisture from the local “gumbo” soil to prevent hikers from making multiple paths to avoid muddy sections. While the Project was originally billed as a 1 Pulaski project, all volunteers were granted 2 Pulaski credit on the basis of “hill climbing with wood-chip-filled buckets.” The Spring weather was great, and Quarai is a beautiful National Monument with a rich history.
Description: The Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument is a complex of three pueblo and Spanish mission sites located near Mountainair, NM. The Quarai site is located about 8 miles north of Mountainair, at about 6650 feet. Quarai encompasses the archaeological remains of prehistoric Native American settlements, historic remains of a pueblo that was abandoned in the 1670s, the ruins of a 17th-century Spanish mission compound, and 19th-century Spanish ranching artifacts. For this project, we will improve the one mile Corral Loop Trail by adding wood chips to the tread, trimming back brush, removing one tree, and improving drainage. We will meet in the Quarai Visitor Center parking lot at 8:30 AM to sign in, review the planned work, and conduct a safety briefing.
Volunteers must wear sturdy boots (preferred) or shoes (no sandals), long pants, eye protection, and work gloves. Long sleeve shirts are required for brushing. Bring a hat, sun protection, and other apparel appropriate for the predicted weather. Also bring a day pack with water, snacks, lunch, and other necessities. We plan to finish work by 4:00 pm.
Pandemic protocols: Covid-safe practices will apply. All participants will be required to wear masks when working in close proximity to others. The volunteer group will not exceed 20 participants. The Visitors’ Center restroom facilities will be open; masks will be required to enter. Registrants will be updated by email in the week(s) before the project with the latest information. If you are not feeling well on the day of the project, please text the Project Leader at 505-705-2584.
Directions: From Albuquerque, drive east on I-40, exit at Tijeras (Exit 175). Proceed south on Hwy 337 (old South 14) through Chilili. At the intersection with Hwy 55, turn west and proceed on Hwy 55 through Tajique, Torreon and Manzano. Approximately 5 miles south of Manzano, just as you enter the village of Punta de Agua, turn west on County Rd B076 and proceed to Quarai Site Visitor Center parking. The estimated driving time from the Big I is approximately 1.5 hours, so plan accordingly. Please be there a little before 8:30 AM. If coming from the South (Socorro, etc.) contact the Project Leader for directions as needed.
To sign up: Click on the button below and fill out the contact information. Once the project fills a waitlist will be added.
Difficulty: 
Group Size: 20
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.