RESULTS: Seven volunteers hiked from Springtime Campground to a base camp near San Mateo Spring for a three day project. We cleared 34 blowdowns from Cowboy Trail, 61 blowdowns and improved trail visibility on Shipman Trail, and almost finished lopping Apache Kid Trail from the intersection with Shipman down to the campground.
Description: Join NMVFO on an unsupported backpack project (which means: bring and cook your own food, help carry in all tools) on the Apache Kid Trail #43 and/or Shipman Trail #50 in the Apache Kid Wilderness. The exact work will depend on the progress of Apache Kid 1 Project the previous week, and the work of Wilderness Rangers during the summer. This wilderness has had several recent burns, so a large number of blowdowns need to be cleared. Shipman is disappearing, and needs treadwork, cairns, and lopping to make the trail visible. Expect to hike 5 or more miles each day in challenging steep terrain. A scouting report and photos should give you a better idea of what we will encounter.
We expect to begin hiking back to our cars on Sunday, October 24, mid-morning.
Meeting Location: Springtime Campground, Latitude: 33.57472062, Longitude: -107.4039569. Springtime Campground is straightforward to navigate to on Forest Road 225. It is reachable in a passenger car, but a vehicle with AWD/4WD and moderate off-road capability would be most comfortable. Google Maps link.
Difficulty: 4 Pulaskis
Group Size: 10
Please bring:
• Your own face mask and work gloves (required), long pants, long-sleeved shirts, sturdy boots, as required by the Forest Service. NMVFO/Forest Service will provide the tools and hard hats.
• Eye protection (sunglasses)
• A packing list will be provided in an update to this listing. Bring a backpack, tent, sleeping bag and sleeping pad, water bottles, sufficient meals. An outfitter will cache a supply of water for us near our campsite. We will supply group water filters just in case, but you can also bring your own.
Current Covid-19 protocols will be enforced. Details will be provided prior to the start of the project.
Please note that pets are not allowed on NMVFO projects.
For more information: If this is your first NMVFO project, you can find more information about difficulty ratings and what to expect at our Volunteer FAQ’s, or email the project leader. If you need any backpacking equipment, please email the project leader, who will be glad to help.
Please read our volunteer guidelines before signing up for this project.
Please sign up by October 15, 2021.
This project is full but you can still sign up to be put on the waitlist.