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.
If you’re new to NMVFO, be sure to visit our FAQ page to learn more about what to expect on a project. Project leaders are always happy to answer your questions about specific projects. Have a non-project related question? Send us a message from our Contact page. Pets are not allowed on any NMVFO projects. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or other legal guardian
- This event has passed.
Quarai Spanish Corral Trail (Salinas Pueblo Missions NM)
Contact Leader(s): Ed DiBello, 505-705-2584, e.dibello@nmvfo.org with any questions.
RESULTS: Sixteen NMVFO volunteers and Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument staff celebrated National Trails Day at the Quarai site. We rehabilitated 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. After we completed the project work, Natalia Sanchez-Hernandez, Chief of Interpretation, gave us a tour of the site and explained Quarai’s rich Native American and Spanish history.
Description: Join NMVFO and the Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument Staff on June 7th for National Trails Day 2025. The 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 Spanish Corral Loop Trail by adding wood chips to the tread, trim back brush, and improve 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.
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 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. If the project is full, you can ask to be put on a wait list.
Difficulty: 
To sign up: Click on the button below and fill out the contact information. If the project is full, you can ask to be put on a wait list.
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.