RESULTS: Eight NMVFO volunteers backpacked 2.7 miles to a campsite at Soda Springs along the Rio Grande near Buckman, NM. Over three days the volunteers brushed all the 1.1-mile Soda Springs Trail that goes to the top of a lava-flow mesa, constructed one and repaired another rock retaining wall to support the trail, closed of a social trail, and constructed 21 drainage structures to route runoff off the trail. The view from the top of the mesa was breathtaking.
Description: Join us on a short backpacking project to improve drainage, widen tread, repair several retaining walls, clear brush, and close off a social trail along the popular Soda Springs Trail near Buckman, NM. We will hike to and set up a base camp close to the Rio Grande about 2.6 miles from the parking lot at the Buckman Diversion structure (Coord. 35.83541, -106.16170, Google map). After setting up camp, we will hike about 1.0 miles up the Soda Springs Trail with our tools to Sagebrush Flats and work back towards base camp.
You should bring along enough food for the duration of your stay and your personal stove. NMVFO will reimburse you at the rate of $15/day. Bring a daypack to carry your water, lunch, snacks, rain gear, etc. along the trail while we are working on it. We strongly recommend bringing sunscreen. NMVFO will provide camp water filters, but bring a personal filter if you desire.
The USFS requires trail workers to wear long-sleeve shirts, long pants, work gloves, hiking shoes/boots (no open-toed shoes or sandals), eye protection, and hard hats. If you have a hard hat, please bring it. NMVFO will provide hard hats for everyone else. NMVFO will provide the tools, which we all will get to carry to base camp.
While the project starts on the morning of Friday, October 1st, you are welcome to join us on Friday night or Saturday morning and spend as much time working with us as you can. Please let the Project Leader know if you will be joining us later.
We will adhere to the Covid-19 protocols in effect at the start of the project. Specific details will be provided prior to that time.
Reminder: Pets are not allowed on NMVFO projects.
Please sign up below: Closing date for signups is September 28th, 2021.
Difficulty: 
Pulaskis
Group size: Up to 15
Meet at: Buckman Diversion Structure parking lot at 35.83541, -106.16170
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.