Middle Fork Backpack (Gila NF) – CANCELED DUE TO FIRE DANGER

Description: New Mexico Volunteers for the Outdoors, Back Country Horsemen (BCH), and Continental Divide Trail Coalition (CDTC) will collaborate on a 6-day project on the middle fork of the Gila River with a half day during the project to explore or relax. Volunteers will be able to address 5.5 miles of corridor, cairns and tread work as this popular Gila Alternate route winds along the banks of the Gila with towering cliff faces overhead. This is a popular route for locals, thru-hikers and equestrians to experience the beauty of the Gila Wilderness. Post-fire flooding and extensive deferred maintenance have caused the trail to braid along the riverside, causing travelers to bushwhack through sensitive river landscapes.

Be prepared to get your feet wet daily, since the trail crosses the river frequently in this tight canyon. Tools will be provided and will be packed in by horses. Breakfasts and dinners will be provided by BCH. Volunteers are asked to bring their own snacks and lunches.

Current CDTC Covid protocols will be observed on this partnered project.

Volunteers will arrive the morning of May 26^th or can camp at the trailhead the night before, meeting between 8:15-8:30 AM for a gear check and some paperwork before the 8 mile hike to base camp.

Click here for a detailed project description and gear list.

Difficulty:

Group Size: 15

Sign up below by Wednesday, May 18. One person per signup.

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.

Middle Fork Backpack (Gila NF)

RESULTS: Sixteen volunteers from NMVFO and the Continental Divide Trail Coalition joined the Back Country Horsemen of NM, Gila Chapter, on the CDT along the Middle Fork of the Gila River. Volunteers removed 135 logs, built 30 cairns, cleared corridor, and realigned or improved several sections of tread along 5 miles of trail.

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PHOTO ALBUM LINK

Description: NMVFO is partnering with the Continental Divide Trail Coalition (CDTC) and the Back Country Horsemen of New Mexico, Gila Chapter (BCH) on a backcountry trail maintenance project near the middle fork of the Gila River. We will clear corridor and re-establish tread along this alternate route of the Continental Divide Trail. We will meet at the Aeroplane Mesa Campground at 8:00 AM on April 27th. Camping in the vicinity the night before is highly recommended. The hike to basecamp is approximately 4 miles, and we will work mainly upstream from there. The first and last days will be hiking days bookending the trail work, with a half-day in the middle to relax and explore the surrounding area.

The BCH will provide horse support. At basecamp, water will be filtered daily from the Gila River. All tools and PPE will be provided, as well as dinner Apr 27-May 1 and breakfast Apr 28-May 2 (not Apr 27). You will need to provide and carry your own lunches, backpack, tent and sleeping bag/pad. Prior to the start date, CDTC will send out a packing checklist and other information to those who have registered, including directions to our meeting place.

Hope you can join us!

Difficulty: 3 Pulaskis

Group Size: 10

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.

Middle Fork Gila River CDTC

RESULTS: Three members of the NMVFO joined a fun 7-day project partnering with the CDTC, Heart of the Gila, and the Gila Chapter of the BCH, improving 1.35 miles of trail, built 8 water diversion berms, and built 13 cairns.

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PHOTO ALBUM LINK

Gila Alternate Route – Gila National Forest

New Mexico

Work Difficulty: Difficult

Project Dates: May 3rd – 8th

Crew Chef: Gila Chapter Backcountry Horsemen

This Project is FULL. If you would like to be Wait Listed go to https://continentaldividetrail.org/volunteer/

Continental Divide Trail Coalition (CDTC) is partnering with Gila Chapter Backcountry Horseman, Heart of the Gila, and NMVFO. This 5-day backcountry project is a trail maintenance project on the Gila Alternate Route of the CDT. Work includes corridor clearance, building cairns, and tread work at river crossings along the banks of the Gila River.