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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Taos Ski Valley Trails (Questa RD)
June 28, 2019 @ 8:00 AM - July 2, 2019 @ 3:00 PM
Contact Leader(s): with any questions.
RESULTS: Over five days, ten volunteers removed 9 downed trees, cleared 17 stream, and worked on 30+ drainage features spanning 6.75 miles.
Join us in the Carson National Forest along Ski Valley Road (Hwy 150) near Taos, for camping and trail work in the area. Volunteers are welcome to join for as many days as they like (please inform the trip leader of your plans so we can match meals to participants). Sorry, no pets.
There is a lot of deadfall in the area, and plenty of brush-work needed to clear trail corridors (we’ll use loppers and pruning saws). Trails are also eroded in spots, so we will work to redefine tread and shore up some steeper sections (likely including a bit of rock work). Some of the work will take place a few miles up the trail, with significant elevation gain. The four potential trails we’ll work on will be the Yerba, Manzanita, Italianos and Gavilan, in the Questa Ranger District. Tools will be provided. The USFS requires hard hats (provided), sturdy boots, long pants, work gloves and eye protection (sunglasses). Please also bring a large day pack, lunch/snacks, rain gear, sunblock and plenty of water. There will be water along the trail, so a small water filter could be useful (but not required).
Camping and port-a-potties will be available from the evening of June 26th through the morning of July 3rd in a meadow near a historic USFS cabin (map). Green NMVFO signs will point the way to this location. We’ll work from 8:30am-4pm each day, including hiking time. Breakfast will be provided Fri 28th-Tue 2nd. Dinner will be provided Fri 28th-Mon 1st.
Volunteers will need to bring their own tent (tiny RV’s okay), sleeping bag/pad (and pillow), DINNERWARE, camp chair, headlamp, WARM CLOTHING. Camping at 8,500 feet, it will be cool! Other recommended items: insect repellent, in-camp shoes, extra toilet paper, a cooler for beverages (adult and other). Taos is approximately 15 miles from our campsite.
Please contact Jenny to sign up, or with questions. It should be a fun, challenging project, and a great time of year to camp in the area. Hope you can make it!