Trail Work 2024 - Report and Plans

Informal work done to date includes doing an early clearing of blowdown on the popular Baxter from Rt. 9N trail. A small bridge just up from Beede Farm has been rebuilt and raised as it apparently wasn’t high enough for the major flood last December. Additionally, we did some early removal of some major blowdown on the lower part of the Porter trail from Marcy Field.

The Baxter trail work planned for July 7 will focus on the other two trails to Baxter. These trails receive less use than the 9N approach, but they are appreciated by local residents. Initial scouting has found two large trees that will require a bit of work with the Chapter’s 24” Silky Katanaboy hand saw. We will also attend to the drainage that we have constructed in the past few years.

The final effort later in July will be a blowdown sweep of the entire Porter from Marcy Field trail. The plan is to start at the Cascade trailhead since that is the shortest route to the summit of Porter. We won’t be doing any work until we reach the summit, but will then clear down over Blueberry Mt. to Marcy Field.

For the Baxter work day, an email indicating interest is appreciated, but volunteers who just show up will be welcomed. Those potentially interested in the Porter work should send an email indicating interest and preferred dates.

For the trail work on Baxter: Sunday, July 7, 10-4. Meet at the end of Beede Lane. Bring gloves, lunch, and clothing suitable for the day. Also, bring a hand saw or axe, but the Chapter will have saws and digging tools for drainage cleaning.

Porter Mt. from the Airport - Round 2

Saturday, June 17, 8-4

Last Saturday, 6/10, a small group cleared just over 1/2 mile along the ridge. There is a similar distance left to finish. We will again meet at Marcy Field at 8 AM and shuttle to the top of Adrian’s Acres. From there is is still 1-1/2 - 2 hours hike to reach the starting point. Long-handled loppers are the preferred tool, and the Chapter has tools for those who don’t. Even if you can’t commit to the trail work, you can help if you have a 4WD vehicle to do the shuttle.

PORTER MT. FROM THE AIRPORT - ROUNDS 2 AND 3

In the end, Round 2 did’t happen until September 30. That day a group consisting of Stephen Longmire, Jeffrey Peters, Willie Janeway, and Tony Goodwin managed to finish the clipping on the summit ridge and most of the way down to Blueberry Mt. Their start was assisted by Cyndy Chandler and Mary Janeway who shuttled the crew to the top of Adirans Acres private roads. Additional intermittent assistance came from convincing passing hikers to spend some time helping to chuck the brush that was being clipped.

Round 3 took place on Wednesday, October 18 with David McNamara, Matt Dunne, and Tony Goodwin hiking up Blueberry Mt. to finish the stretch to Blueberry and to then clip along the Blueberry ridge. Grown-in markers were uncovered, entrances at the edges of ledges were widened, and the trail was generally made more easily walkable and followable.

Thanks to all those who helped to restore this former Keene Valley Chapter trail to good condition. Photo below of Dave and Matt working on the approach to Blueberry.

Trail work photo

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Trail Work 2024 - Report and Plans

Porter Mt. from the Airport - Round 2

Saturday, June 17, 8-4

Last Saturday, 6/10, a small group cleared just over 1/2 mile along the ridge. There is a similar distance left to finish. We will again meet at Marcy Field at 8 AM and shuttle to the top of Adrian’s Acres. From there is is still 1-1/2 - 2 hours hike to reach the starting point. Long-handled loppers are the preferred tool, and the Chapter has tools for those who don’t. Even if you can’t commit to the trail work, you can help if you have a 4WD vehicle to do the shuttle.

PORTER MT. FROM THE AIRPORT - ROUNDS 2 AND 3

In the end, Round 2 did’t happen until September 30. That day a group consisting of Stephen Longmire, Jeffrey Peters, Willie Janeway, and Tony Goodwin managed to finish the clipping on the summit ridge and most of the way down to Blueberry Mt. Their start was assisted by Cyndy Chandler and Mary Janeway who shuttled the crew to the top of Adirans Acres private roads. Additional intermittent assistance came from convincing passing hikers to spend some time helping to chuck the brush that was being clipped.

Round 3 took place on Wednesday, October 18 with David McNamara, Matt Dunne, and Tony Goodwin hiking up Blueberry Mt. to finish the stretch to Blueberry and to then clip along the Blueberry ridge. Grown-in markers were uncovered, entrances at the edges of ledges were widened, and the trail was generally made more easily walkable and followable.

Thanks to all those who helped to restore this former Keene Valley Chapter trail to good condition. Photo below of Dave and Matt working on the approach to Blueberry.

Trail work photo

S