Horsethief Trail Backpack (SFNF)

Description: Spend 3 nights camping in remote Horse Thief Meadow, which we will use as our basecamp for strenuous and fun days doing trail improvements and clearing blowdowns north and south along the Skyline Trail #251 and Horsethief Trail #253. Starting from the Panchuela campground, we will backpack in 5.6 miles on the Cave Creek and Skyline trails to the meadow on Thursday and set up camp. We’ll decide on a work agenda for each day depending on the group’s interests, then hike back out Sunday morning. The Back Country Horsemen Association will support us by packing tools and camp equipment from Panchuela to the meadow and back.

BCHA will also cook morning and evening meals for the group at the campsite. Participants must provide their own lunch out on the trail during the day.

Location: We will park at the USFS Panchuela Campground, driving the narrow road up from Cowles.

Difficulty:

Group Size: Up to 15

Closing date for signups is June 22, 2024

Reminder: Pets are not allowed on NMVFO projects.

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.

Horsethief Meadows Backpack (Santa Fe NF)

RESULTS: NMVFO volunteers cleared 233 deadfalls on 7.7 miles of trails, built a rock crossing, and brushed about a mile of trail. Our partners at Pecos Chapter of Back Country Horsemen hauled tools and water, helping us to do the work.

PHOTO ALBUM LINK

Description: Join us on a four-day backpacking project to clear downed trees and brush on the trails around Horsethief Meadows in the Pecos Wilderness. We will be setting up a base camp in the Meadows area surrounded by spruce-fir forest at about 9,840 ft MSL. The Backcountry Horsemen of America will be supporting us by transporting our tools and cooking equipment to the base camp. The base camp will be about 5.6 miles from the Panchuela Admin Site near the Panchuela Campground. While the project starts on Thursday, July 6th, you are welcome to join us on Friday or Saturday and spend as much time working with us as you can. All tools will be provided. We will be using one- and two-person crosscut saws, pruning saws, and loppers. USFS rules require all volunteers to wear ankle-high boots, long pants, long sleeves, hard hats (provided), work gloves, and eye protection (sunglasses okay) while working. Please bring a daypack to carry your lunch, snacks, sunblock, rain gear, and a full day’s supply of water.

Meet at: Panchuela Admin Site, GPS Coordinates 35.82953, -105.66411

Difficulty:

Group Size: Up to 15

Closing date for signups is July 4th, 2023

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.

Reminder: Pets are not allowed on NMVFO projects.

CANCELLED DUE TO BCH SCHEDULING CONFLICT – Horsethief Trail Backpack (Santa Fe NF)

Description: Join us on a four-day backpacking project to clear downed trees and brush on the Horsethief Trail. We will be setting up base camp in the Horsethief Meadows area surrounded by spruce-fir forest at about 9,840 ft. The Back Country Horsemen of America will support us by transporting our tools and cooking equipment to base camp. The base camp will be about 5.6 miles from the Panchuela Admin Site near the Panchuela Campground. While the project starts on Thursday, you are welcome to join us on Friday or Saturday and spend as much time working with us as you can. Please be sure to let us know your plans.

All tools will be provided. We will be using one- and two-person crosscut saws, pruning saws, and loppers. USFS rules require all volunteers to wear boots, long pants, long sleeves, hard hats (provided), work gloves, and eye protection (sunglasses okay) while working. Please bring a daypack to carry your lunch, snacks, sunblock, rain gear, and a full-day’s supply of water.

Reminder: Pets are not allowed on NMVFO projects.

Meet at: Panchuela Admin Site (Coordinates 35.829569N 105.663997W )

Please sign up below by July 24th. One person per signup.

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 Volunteer FAQ, or email the project leader.

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