OUR GOAL

ADK’s goal is to provide you, the volunteer, with the unique opportunity to give something back to trails. Our volunteer projects are inherently educational and include not only trail maintenance and reconstruction techniques, but also low-impact camping and natural history. Ultimately, we will complete a quality trail project that will protect the natural resource for many years. You are guaranteed a fun and rewarding experience participating as an “ADK Trails Volunteer”!

BASE CAMP

The volunteer base camp serves as the staging area for trail projects. It is located at the Adirondak Loj Campground adjacent to Heart Lake. Hot showers are located nearby. At base camp, we conduct a comprehensive orientation that includes introductions, safety, equipment review, camping techniques, and a summary of the project goals and objectives. We also provide experienced leadership, group camping gear, tools, transportation from base camp, and food.

A complete equipment list and project information will be sent to all volunteers

ONE-DAY PROJECTS

Be prepared to hike into the woods while carrying tools, daypack, and lunch. Anticipate project completion by late afternoon. A variety of tasks make projects fun and rewarding for all ages and abilities. 

June 14 --- Silver Lake Mountain
Check out a different part of the Adirondacks and install rock waterbars on this well used trail. The summit of Silver Lake Mountain offers excellent views of the surrounding Hawkeye cliffs and the Wilmington Range. 

June 15 --- Rock Climbing Access Trail
New wooden steps will be continued on the main access trail to the popular Beer Walls climbing area. 

June 21 --- Ruth’s Easy Project
This is the perfect project for people who would like to try trail work for the first time. Sidecutting will be the focus for the day, and will be led by veteran crew leader Ruth Kufahl. All ages are welcome. 

June 21 --- Mountain Bike Trails
Join other mountain bike enthusiasts in repairing and creating mountain bike trails in the Wilmington Wild Forest.  

TWO-DAY PROJECT 

Be prepared to hike into the woods while carrying tools, daypack, and lunch. Anticipate project completion by late afternoon of the second day. Participants will have the option of returning to base camp each night. May 30–June 1 --- JBL Trail Work Weekend An annual trail maintenance trip that involves cleaning existing drainage structures and removing blowdown in the Johns Brook Valley. The volunteer crew will pack into Johns Brook Lodge (3.5 miles) on Friday night.  

FIVE-DAY HIGH SCHOOL PROJECTS  

These trail projects are reserved for high school aged teenagers (ages 14-17) who have a desire to spend a week in the woods camping and to participate in and experience trail work. Arrive at base camp on Sunday evening for dinner & orientation. Participants will be out of the woods late afternoon on Friday. There is a $250 participation fee for these projects. Scholarships are available for teens; please call 518-523-3441 to learn more. 

July 7-11 --- Ampersand Mtn.
Work will focus on constructing rock water bars and stepping-stones. This trail is a showcase of over a decade worth of trail work by ADK crews. 

July 14-18 --- Ha-De-Ron-Dah  Wilderness
From a base camp next to the picturesque East Pond, the crew will remove blowdown and sidecut overgrown sections of trail. A 4.5 mile pack-in is required to reach East Pond. 

July 21-25 --- The Brothers Trail
Located in the High Peaks Region near Johns Brook Valley, this scenic trail that ultimately leads to Big Slide Mountain will be rehabilitated where erosion is taking place. A short but steep pack-in is required to reach base camp near Slide Brook. 

July 28-August 1 --- Moose Pond
Help define this remote section of the Northville-Placid trail with intensive sidecutting and blowdown removal. A relatively flat eight mile pack-in is required to reach the lean-to at Moose Pond. 

August 4-8 --- St. Regis Mountain
Participants will install rock water bars and steps on this popular hiking trail. The crew will camp near the site of where the cabin was for the fire tower observer.   

FIVE-DAY PROJECT

August 11-15 --- Long Lake Canoe Trip
Relocating existing pit privies and the removal of litter from campsites will be the main focus of the project. Participants will canoe a substantial distance every day to reach each lean-to. Arrive Sunday evening at base camp for dinner and orientation. Participants will be out of the woods late afternoon on Friday. There is a $75 participation fee.  

WORKSHOPS & SPECIAL EVENTS 

May 3 --- Trail Steward/Maintainer Workshop
This workshop is intended to give trail maintainers an understanding of basic trail maintenance concepts and standards. Topics that will be demonstrated and discussed are cleaning drainage, blowdown removal, sidecutting, and trail marking. The workshop will be conducted on the main hiking trail that ascends Blue Mountain in the Adirondacks. 

June 7 --- National Trails Day
The National Trails day event will be based in the Catskill Forest Preserve. Sidecutting, drainage clearing and rock water bar construction is just some of the projects that will be available. 

October 18 --- Fall Trails Day, High Peaks
This is the last chance to clean drainages of fallen leaves and other debris before the snow arrives. Trails located in the Adirondack High Peak Region will be focused on.