[NMCCSC] Vol. Trail Work & stay on the Valles Caldera National Preserve, May 13-18

[Sam via NMCCSCeGroup]

Hello Ski Club Members and FOSM Wed. Volunteers,

For several years, 8 to 10 volunteers from the N. M. Cross Country Ski Club and the Sandia Ranger District have worked on trails on the Valles Caldera National Preserve (VCNP) and stayed 4 to 5 nights in a VCNP building. The VCNP is located on NM-4 between Jemez Springs and Los Alamos and is part of National Park Service system of parks, monuments, and preserves. Valle Grande, the very large open valley on NM-4, is the best known part of the preserve.

We remove fallen trees from hiking/cross country ski trails with chain saws just as we do on the Sandia Ranger District. In addition to hiking and carrying chain saws, we usually have a 4WD vehicle and a UTV (an ATV with a steering wheel) to haul chain saws, other equipment, and fuel/oil.

This year we will be staying in two A-frames at the west end of Valle Grande. These buildings have a small kitchen, a refrigerator, a bathroom, a dining/living room, and one or two small bedrooms. There are several beds with mattresses. We bring sleeping bags, and appropriate clothes and boots. Each volunteer is responsible for his/her breakfast, trail lunch, and dinner. Some people bring inflatable mattresses and coolers.

This year we have only 4 men and 1 woman who are planning to participate. It would be helpful to have more certified chain sawyers and sawyer assistants. The sawyer assistants, known as swampers, are not certified, and anyone can help by removing cut limbs and generally helping with the removal of trees from the trails.

Volunteers may work as many days as they wish and sleep in the A-frames. Volunteers may also come up to work just one day. Arrangements must be made to meet the crew at the visitor center in the morning.

We usually see herds of elk in the mornings and evenings, and the scenery is spectacular.

Please contact me at 505-828-0673 or samgbeard at msn.com if you have questions or would like to participate.

Sam Beard, Trails Chair
N. M. Cross Country Ski Club

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