Trail cleanup/maintenence

[Catrin]

I volunteered yesterday to help out on a work crew to clear storm debris and opening drains down at Brown County State Park yesterday - it was a lot of fun! I also found myself doing things I've never done - who knew that there is a tool called a "Rhino"? I had no idea what to expect, especially with the number and violence of the storms we have had over the last week or so, but it was fun! Thankfully the damage wasn't as bad as some had feared.

Do many of you have the opportunity/are able to help with trail maintenance? I hope to help out again in the future, and next time I will know what to expect :)

[Espresso]

I hike a lot, and I'm planning to help out on one of the many volunteer activities coming up on National Trails Day (http://www.americanhiking.org/NTD.aspx), which is June 4 this year. I'm sure there will be opportunities that day for maintaining biking trails as well.

[jessmarimba]

Our local IMBA mountain bike group (COMBA) does scheduled trail maintenance days all season. Last year they were working to open a new section of trail and had a number of camping weekends, too. I couldn't go last year but I'm looking forward to heading out this year if they would schedule one while I'm in town!

We have other groups here who do trail maintenance as well, but COMBA's advertising was much better.

[Aggie_Ama]

We have a really neat program in Texas (I think we got it from NJ) called Paydirt. You don't have to be a racer but they give us extra points for a race series equivalent to winning a race, it bumped one of my teammates into the top 10 of her Singlespeed division against men! They also have a huge raffle for everyone and give away great prizes to the winners. All you have to do is complete 10 hours and send in a form. It is fun and I love seeing what goes into trail maintenance and building. I have cut new trail, built a berm, done rock armoring, lopped a bunch of invasive plants and brought existing trail to IMBA standards. Thanks for giving back Catrin!

[forestbiker]

Washington Trails Association has a very extensive trail maintenance system. It's very hard work, and I can't bring myself to join a work party in the rain! Yeah, I'm a wimp!
On the other hand, it's a great way to love a trail in another way.