Home » get

San Lorenzo Canyon (BLM Socorro)

RESULTS: 18 volunteers constructed over a mile of new trail along the south rim of San Lorenzo Canyon, while camping at the nearby cottonwood grove.

PHOTO ALBUM LINK

Description: Come join us as we build new trail and convert user trail for 2 miles on BLM land along scenic San Lorenzo Canyon outside of Socorro NM. The drive to the camping area (Google Maps does not understand the canyon, so we will flag the route.) is on 5 miles of dirt road with intermittent loose sand, normally passable in passenger cars with sufficient care.

You are welcome to join us on Friday evening for car-camping– bring your own dinner. Saturday breakfast and dinner and Sunday breakfast will be provided by NMVFO cooks. Bring your own pack lunches for Saturday and Sunday. If you live nearby and do not wish to car-camp, that is fine — just let the project leader know.

Difficulty: Pulaskis

Group Size: 24

Current Covid-19 protocols will be observed. Details will be provided prior to the start of the project.

Please bring:
• Your own work gloves (required) and face mask
• Eye protection (sunglasses)
• Gloves, long pants, long-sleeved shirts and sturdy boots are required.

NMVFO/BLM will provide the tools, and hard hats are not required.

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.

Please read our Volunteer Guidelines before signing up for this project.

Apache Kid Wilderness 2 Backpack (Magdalena RD)

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.

PHOTO ALBUM LINK

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.

Apache Kid Wilderness 1 (Magdalena RD)

RESULTS:

Flickr API error: Invalid API Key (Key has invalid format)

PHOTO ALBUM LINK

Description: Join NMVFO on a two-day, two-night project along the Apache Kid Trail #43. Come prepared to clear numerous downed trees and brush back a four-mile segment of Apache Kid. We will start out Saturday morning from our base camp at Springtime Campground, working our way up to the San Mateo Peak spur trail. Time permitting, we will also tackle a one-mile segment of the close by but less-traveled Shipman Trail #50, part of the Grand Enchantment Trail network, which needs some love—additional log clearing, lopping, and tread improvements. The project will require a strenuous hike in and out each day, but there will also be plenty of lighter work to keep us busy within a couple of miles of our base camp for those who find the hiking intimidating. NMVFO will provide dinner on Friday night, breakfast and dinner on Saturday, and breakfast on Sunday morning. Volunteers should bring packed lunches to eat along the trail on Saturday and Sunday. Volunteers are encouraged to join us on Friday night for an early start on Saturday, but are welcome to join on Saturday morning as schedules allow.

NMVFO will supply the tools for the project.

NMVFO will be practicing the then current COVID-19 protocols on this project. Specific details will be provided prior to the start of the project.

Reminder: Pets are not allowed on NMVFO projects.

Please sign up by October 8, 2021.

Difficulty:

Group Size: 15

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.

Please read our volunteer guidelines before signing up for this project.

Manzano Crest Trail Small Group Project

RESULTS: Two volunteers hiked the Manzano Crest Trail between Capilla Peak and the Trigo Canyon Trail and removed 7 fallen trees. With only a half days work they were able to clear 600 feet of the trail.

Flickr API error: Invalid API Key (Key has invalid format)

PHOTO ALBUM LINK

Remove deadfall from the Manzano Crest Trail. We will remove deadfall between the intersection of the Trigo Canyon Trail and Capilla Peak.

Black Range Reroute III (Gila NF)

RESULTS: Four volunteers and two CDTC staff brushed five miles of CDT, cleared 38 trees, and added final touches to the new Black Range reroute.

Flickr API error: Invalid API Key (Key has invalid format)

PHOTO ALBUM LINK

Please sign up HERE.

From our partners at CDTC:

“Project Description: The Continental Divide Trail Coalition is partnering with New Mexico Volunteers for the Outdoors and the Black Range Ranger District (Forest Service) to complete a 1.5 mile reroute of the CDT in the Black Range of the Gila National Forest, west of Chloride, NM. A Youth Conservation Corps has already put time and energy into this reroute – but there is still progress to be made! The Forest Service has made this construction project a priority and would like to see it completed this fall. CDTC and NMVFO are proud to assist in the completion of this reroute and successfully remove it from a dirt Forest Service road. Enjoy the solitude and remoteness of the Black Range while swinging tools and creating a brand new portion of a National Scenic Trail.

Plan: Volunteers will arrive between 4pm and 6pm on October 22nd at the Monument Cabin to pitch camp and get situated. CDTC staff will be there to direct volunteers where to camp. Volunteers will hit the trail on October 23rd working north from the Caledonia trailhead on the CDT with the goal of completing the roughly 1.5 mile reroute and adding finishing touches as needed. Work will be wrapped up by 1:30PM on October 26th to ensure volunteers have ample time to pack up camp and drive safely home.

Meeting Time and Place: Thursday October 22nd between 4pm and 6pm at Monument Cabin. Click here for Google Maps directions.

Directions to Meeting Place: From I-25 take Exit 83 and head west towards Winston and Chloride via NM-52/County Rd CO06. Once in Chloride head west out of town on Wall St, which turns into County Rd CO53 for 12 miles until the cabin is on your left. Please note that the cabin is not marked but CDTC staff will be present to guide volunteers. CDTC highly recommends entering directions to the cabin into your phone via Google maps before departing. Google maps will work without cell phone service via your phone’s GPS.

COVID-19: Please take the time to review CDTC COVID-19 Guidelines & Procedures on the CDTC website, or access it here.

Day-of Project Contact: CDTC Field Instructor Isaac Miller, 406-224-3998, imiller@continentaldividetrail.org, or CDTC Field Instructor Beckett Wagner, 330-840-0369, bwagner@continentaldividetrail.org.

Vehicle Requirements: 4WD High Clearance.

Daily Hiking Distance: 2-3 miles a day.

Work Difficulty: Strenuous – Moderately high elevation with strenuous tasks such as digging new trail, removing rocks/boulders and brushing.

What’s Provided: Tools, project materials, personal protective equipment, work site supervision, and qualified First Aid personnel. Volunteers are responsible for providing their own food and water for the duration of the project.

Food and Water: Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, volunteers will not be able to share food or water with others outside their household. Volunteers are responsible for all their meals and must come prepared with breakfast, lunch, dinner, water, and snacks for the entire duration of the project. CDTC staff will have extra water for volunteers at the campsite.

Amenities: None. This is a primitive campsite with no bathrooms or running water, but CDTC staff will dig a latrine for volunteers to use.”

Difficulty: 3 Pulaskis

Group Size: 7 Volunteers, 3 Leaders

For more information: If this is your first NMVFO project, you can find more information about difficulty ratings and what to expect at https://nmvfo.org/volunteer/volunteer-faq, or email the project leader.

Black Range Reroute II (Gila NF)

RESULTS: Four NMVFO volunteers, together with two staff members from the Continental Divide Trail Coalition and a CDTC volunteer built approximately 2500 ft of new trail through steep rocky terrain along the CDT. The new work reroutes the CDT away from a road-walk in the Black Range ranger district of the Gila National Forest not far from the town of Chloride, NM. Previously a youth crew and another CDTC volunteer group had begun work on the 1.5 mile reroute. Our crew finished the reroute on Oct 17th, then spent the next day doing finish-up maintenance work, adding final touches to approximately 1.25 miles of the new trail before heading home.

Flickr API error: Invalid API Key (Key has invalid format)

PHOTO ALBUM LINK

Please sign up HERE.

From our partners at CDTC:

Plan: Volunteers will arrive between 4pm and 6pm on October 15th at the Monument Cabin to pitch camp and get situated. CDTC staff will be there to direct volunteers where to camp. Volunteers will hit the trail on October 16th working north from the Caledonia trailhead on the CDT with the goal of completing the roughly 1.5 mile reroute and adding finishing touches as needed. Work will be wrapped up by 1:30PM on October 19th to ensure volunteers have ample time to pack up camp and drive safely home.

Meeting Time and Place: Thursday October 15th between 4pm and 6pm at Monument Cabin. Click here for Google Maps directions.

COVID-19: Please take the time to review CDTC COVID-19 Guidelines & Procedures on the CDTC website, or access it here.

Vehicle Requirements: 4WD High Clearance.

Daily Hiking Distance: 2-3 miles a day.

Work Difficulty: Strenuous – Moderately high elevation with strenuous tasks such as digging new trail, removing rocks/boulders and brushing.

Amenities: None. This is a primitive campsite with no bathrooms or running water, but CDTC staff will dig a latrine for volunteers to use.”

Difficulty: 3 Pulaskis

Group Size: 7 Volunteers, 3 Leaders

Water Canyon CG (Magdalena RD)

RESULTS: 15 volunteer trail workers and 2 volunteer cooks assembled in the Magdalena Mountains for a weekend of trail work, removing 107 deadfall from the following trails: South Canyon #11, Copper Canyon #10, Hop Canyon #25/#25A, and North Baldy #8.

Flickr API error: Invalid API Key (Key has invalid format)

PHOTO ALBUM LINK

Description: Please join us in the rustic and scenic Magdalena mountains for a weekend of hard work and good times! We have numerous geographically dispersed trails that need a smaller amount of deadfall removal and brushing work, therefore the plan will be to have several small teams tackle these trails independently. Currently we plan on working on some of the most popular trails including on Mesa Trail #13, South Baldy Trail #11, Hop Canyon Trail #25 to North Baldy Trail to #25a (a ~9.5 mile loop), and possibly Copper Canyon Trail #10. We’ll have the Water Canyon Campground group area reserved for tent camping, which includes a very large wooden gazebo with tables, fire pit, and toilets nearby. The group site will be available from Friday 25 September @4PM. ~~Unfortunately, we won’t have a cook so you must provide your own meals, however we will have a stove, water and wash basins (and maybe some delicious homemade dessert Saturday night).~~ Our project chefs will keep us well fed with breakfast Saturday, dinner Saturday, and breakfast Sunday morning. All tools and training will be provided….. more details to follow! As always, Covid-19 protocols will be in place during this project.

Difficulty: 2 Pulaski (moderately strenuous)

Group Size: 15

Sign up deadline is Tuesday, 9/22 at 5pm:

For more information: If this is your first NMVFO project, you can find more information about difficulty ratings and what to expect at https://nmvfo.org/volunteer/volunteer-faq, or email the project leader.

Sign-ups are now closed. Please email project leader to be added to the waiting list.

South Baldy Trail #11 (Magdalena RD)

RESULTS: We had a challenging project in the Magdalena mountains doing maintenance on South Baldy trail. We had a good crew and had fun….we’ll be back for more! Thirteen volunteers removed deadfall, redefined tread, re-benched, brushbacked trail, built 12 rolling dips, and refurbished 2.5 miles of trail.

Flickr API error: Invalid API Key (Key has invalid format)

PHOTO ALBUM LINK

Carpooling: We always encourage carpooling, particularly from the Albuquerque area. If you are interested in carpooling please reply to me directly and I will put you in touch with others interested. Right now I have one volunteer interested in riding with somebody from Abq area.

Arrival & start times: I plan on being at the groupsite between 2-3PM Friday to setup camp & kitchen. For Saturday & Sunday day workers please arrive no later than 8 AM at the groupsite. We’ll do a safety brief, discuss the plan of attack, and get busy.

Driving directions: Most mapping programs will direct you to the incorrect “Water Canyon Group Shelter Picnic Site”. The Water Canyon “Groupsite” where we’ll be at is located beyond the main RV campground, and there will be a couple green NMVFO signs to help guide you. Attached is a map, but please use the following Google maps link for your drive in: https://goo.gl/maps/5i1N5sULTYaW6nMV6

Road conditions: It’s a paved road all the way up to the last .5 mile. A major rain storm recently rutted out some parts of the short .5 mile leg of dirt road that leads to the groupsite. It’s certainly passable for 2wd passenger cars but a bit rough. When you get there and you don’t feel comfortable driving it, I would suggest 1) calling me on cell and I can drive down and shuttle you and your gear to groupsite, or 2) if you don’t have cell service, park and walk up to the groupsite and we can shuttle you back to get your gear. There is plenty of parking space and the end of that paved road for us to do this.

What to bring: Sturdy hiking shoes/boots, light-weight long sleeve shirt, long pants, hat, sunglasses, bugspray, sunscreen and work gloves. Plate, bowl, coffee mug, and eating utensils. Daypack with lunch/snacks and plenty of water as we’ll be eating lunch on the trail Saturday. NO PETS! We love dogs too but they are not compatible with trail work.

Camp logistics: This is a dry campground, but we’ll be bringing in 40+ gallons for kitchen/camp use. There is a vault toilet at the groupsite. Plenty of tent spots for everyone, although we’ll be a little tighter than we typically setup. I’ll be bringing a small bundle of firewood, but if you have some extra laying around and have the room…more is always better!

Weather: We are forecasted to have some excellent weather in mid 70’s day/mid 50’s night, no rain expected but this is NM so be prepared for random showers.

Menu: We wanted to share the menu in case you had any dietary issues with our meal plan. There will be vegetarian options for all meals:
Sat breakfast: Sourdough french toast, bacon, yogurt, granola mix, fruit, coffee, chai tea, milk, OJ.
Sat dinner: Smoked pork carnitas soft tacos, pinto beans, Spanish rice, pico de gallo, cheese, avocado, lettuce. Peach & apricot crisp with whipped cream.
Sun breakfast: Breakfast burritos with eggs, hash browns, green chile, yogurt, granola mix, pumpkin bread, coffee, chai tea, milk, OJ.

Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns.

-Nick
575-418-9339 (call or txt)

Join NM Volunteers for the Outdoors for a 1.5 day project in the Magdalenas of the Cibola National Forest. We will be rerouting, improving drainage, repairing/redefining tread, clearing brush, and removing dead fall on South Baldy trail #11. We will be setting up Friday evening 9/20 at the Water Canyon Group Site which has a large gazebo & fire pit. Volunteers can tent camp at the group site. Camp cook will provide breakfast & dinner 9/21, and breakfast 9/22. Volunteers are asked to supply their own drinking water, lunches, plus dinnerware (cup, plate, utensils, etc). Vegetarian options will be available for all meals. Note that the farthest end of the trail is 2.5 miles with over 2,500 ft elevation gain, but don’t worry if that seems too much as we can keep you on the lower section. Required: Day pack, water, sturdy boots, long pants, work gloves, eye protection (sunglasses). Sorry, no pets. Due to cooking logistics, sign-ups close Tuesday evening 9/17. For more information or to sign up, please contact Nick Tenorio, nick@zder.net, 575-418-9339. Hope to see you there!

Manzano Crest Trail at Capilla Peak (Mountainair RD)

RESULTS: Ten volunteers cleared 2.25 miles of the Manzano Crest Trail north of Capilla Peak to include lopping overgrowth, building cairns, and removing fallen timbers.

Flickr API error: Invalid API Key (Key has invalid format)

PHOTO ALBUM LINK

Join us for a day of trail work on the Manzano Crest Trail starting at Capilla Peak. The work will mostly consist of trimming back badly overgrown sections and removing a few fallen trees. We will make a very short re-route at the very start of the trail. The work will be in the first 1.2 miles north of Capilla Peak but the trail drops 800 feet in that distance. The hike out will be strenuous.

We will meet at the New Canyon Campground at 8:30 on the 5^th for a Safety Briefing then carpool the rest of the way to Capilla Peak. Please be on site prior to 8:30 to sign in.

This is a one day project; however, Volunteers may camp at the New Canyon CG or at dispersed campsites on Friday night. Vault toilets, tables, bear boxes and fire rings are available at the Campground. No water is available. The road to the Campground is suitable for passenger vehicles; however, trailers and RV’s are not recommended.

Volunteers should wear long pants, long sleeves, sturdy boots (no sandals or tennis/athletic shoes) and work gloves. They should also bring sunscreen, a hat, rain protection (just in case), daypack, water, snacks, and food for lunch. Tools, hard hats and eye protection will be provided by NMVFO. Just as a reminder, dogs are not allowed on NMVFO projects.

To reach New Canyon Campground from Albuquerque drive east on I-40 then go south on 337 (old Highway 14) at Tijeras. Highway 337 ends at a T. Turn right (west) on Highway 55 and continue to the town of Manzano. At Manzano turn right (west) at the sign for Capilla Peak and New Canyon Campground. Drive 5 miles on the dirt road to New Canyon campground. The total time from Central and Tramway is at least 1.5 hours.

Registration for this project is required; please email the project leader (Don) at dlemke1@hotmail.com or the co-project leader (Ed) at edbhiker@gmail.com no later than Noon, Wednesday, October 2, 2019.

Geolocation: New Canyon Campground, Torreon, NM 87061 (Initial meeting site)

Latitude: 34.6706148

Longitude: -106.4116529

Links for more information: If this is your first NMVFO project, you can find more information about what to expect at https://nmvfo.org/volunteer/volunteer-faq

Rating: 2 Pulaskis

New Canyon CG (Mountainair RD)

RESULTS: NMVFO Volunteers cleared sections of the New Canyon and the Manzano Crest Trails on June 8, 2019. A team of 13 volunteers hiked to the Crest from the New Canyon Campground. They cleared about 1/2 mile of Manzano Crest Trail south of the intersection with the New Canyon Trail (TR101). Numerous deadfall trees from the 2008 Trigo Fire were removed. Meanwhile, a team of 5 volunteers cleared about 1/2 mile of the New Canyon Trail corridor starting from the Campground. The trails are in the Mountainair Ranger District of the Cibola National Forest.

Flickr API error: Invalid API Key (Key has invalid format)

PHOTO ALBUM LINK

DUE TO AN OVERWHELMING VOLUNTEER RESPONSE, WE ARE UNABLE TO ACCEPT NEW VOLUNTEERS EFFECTIVE AS OF 8:00 AM, MAY 29, 2019. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE ‘WAIT LISTED’, PLEASE CONTACT THE ORGANIZERS LISTED BELOW, OR SIGN-UP FOR FUTURE NMVFO PROJECTS. SEE nmvfo.org FOR OTHER 2019 PROJECTS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST IN NMVFO. FOR THOSE WHO HAVE ALREADY SIGNED UP, YOU WILL BE RECEIVING DETAILED PROJECT INSTRUCTIONS BY JUNE 5TH.

Start Date and Time: Saturday, June 8, 2019, 9:00 AM

End Date and Time: Saturday, June 8, 2019, 4:30 PM

Please join us on Saturday, June 8 for a one-day trail project in the Manzano Mountains. The work site is approximately a 1.5-hour drive from Albuquerque via NM-337S (old South 14).

We will start work at the New Canyon Campground and rebuild a short (few hundred yards) section of trail to the Crest (distance to Crest is approximately 2 miles, elevation gain is approximately 1000 feet), install signs, and work on clearing dead fall and performing light tread work for approximately 1/2 mile south along the Manzano Crest Trail toward the Spruce Spring Trail. Volunteers should wear long pants, long sleeves, sturdy boots (absolutely no sandals or tennis/athletic shoes), and work gloves. Also, bring sun and rain protection, plenty of drinking water, snacks, and lunch. Hard hats and eye protection will be provided by NMVFO.

This is a one day project; however, Volunteers may camp at the New Canyon CG or at dispersed campsites on Friday night. Vault toilets, tables, bear boxes, and fire rings are available at the Campground. The road to the Campground is suitable for passenger vehicles; however, trailers and RV’s are not recommended.

Detailed directions to the work site will be provided prior to the project. Carpooling from Albuquerque may be possible, depending on the number of volunteers. Registration for this project is required for planning purposes; please sign up through the project leader (info below) no later than Noon, Wednesday, June 5, 2019.

Geolocation: New Canyon Campground, Torreon, NM 87061

Latitude: 34.6706148

Longitude: -106.4116529

Links for more information: If this is your first NMVFO project, you can find more information about what to expect at https://nmvfo.org/volunteer/volunteer-faq or email the project leader (Ed) at edbhiker@gmail.com or the co-project leader (Don) at dlemke1@hotmail.com.

Rating: 2 Pulaskis