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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Sycamore Canyon Trail Backpack (Gila NF)
March 18, 2022 @ 8:00 AM - March 21, 2022 @ 3:00 PM
Contact Leader(s): Melissa Green, m.green@nmvfo.org; Jim (Sagebrush) Sells, 505-898-6345, j.sells@nmvfo.org with any questions.
RESULTS: Fifteen volunteers and staff from CDTC, the Gila BCH, and NMVFO hiked in 3.15 miles to a base camp on this alternate CDT route to lop 1.7 miles of trail, build 50 cairns, clear 17 trees, and improve tread on about 1.3 miles.
Description: In 2020, the Tadpole Fire burned 11,000 acres between Silver City and the Gila Hot Springs, including areas around Tadpole Ridge, a popular CDT alternate route along the Sycamore Canyon Trail in the Gila National Forest. As the forest reclaims the damaged area, washouts have caused erosion issues, and dead pine needles hide any trace of a trail. NMVFO will partner with the Gila Chapter of the Back Country Horsemen and Continental Divide Trail Coalition on a 4-day backcountry project working along 3.5 miles in Sycamore Canyon and nearby mesas. The work site is located close to Devil’s Garden, an area known for unique rock formations. Tread work, brushing, logging, and trail marking will improve the trail before the 2022 hiking season begins. Breakfasts and dinners will be provided by the Back Country Horsemen. Volunteers are asked to bring their own lunches.
Volunteers will arrive the morning of March 18th. Volunteers, staff, and partners will meet between 8AM-8:30AM for a gear check and some paperwork. Volunteers and staff will review a map on site then drive 2.75 miles to the trailhead, and will begin hiking from there. Upon arriving at base camp the group may spread out tent locations and get settled before lunch. Volunteers will work 8 hours on non-hiking days.
Click here for a detailed project description from the Gila Chapter of the BCH. Note that signing up below negates the necessity of sending an RSVP (signing up automatically sends the RSVP). Signups will close on Saturday, March 12.
Difficulty: 
Group Size: 15 (6 from NMVFO website)
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.