July 14th, 2012 – Dan Doan Trail, Orford NH

Seven hearty workers hit the trail to make some needed improvements. We decided to start at the farthest project for the day and work back. The first project was to decide what to do with this section of Boggy wet quagmire and corduroy.

We decided to move the treadway to higher and drier ground due to no drainage possibilities. It involved laying it out with flagging by Jason staying high and coming back to the road some 700 feet later. Problem one solved, as Gene finished up near the end of the improvement.

Next on the list was a section of trail still in the old skid road near a rock Culvert that had washed out due to lack of maintenance. The footing was loose rock and hard on the ankles. We filled one side in with small rock and covered the 25 lin. feet with gravel. Ditched the other side to get the water to enter the culvert.

Removed a 250 lb. rock with bars that was partially blocking the Culvert outlet. That took care of project #2. Side hilling to get the treadway out of another washed out area was on Jasons mind, so we tackled that next and Bill was caught working and Jason supervising.

Next was relocating the treadway again in a wet area moving the treadway side to side Installed 5 step stones to cross over and a few pavers and cleaning the ditch. More ditching is needed in the future.

Time and the heat started taking it’s toll and we were happy with what we accomplished for the day. Bugs were not a problem except for Gene so all in all a fun day. Next time you hike this trail check out the work. Now for the future. Many projects need doing and lot’s of rock work to be installed higher up above the Mousely Brook crossing including and one more really wet area above the Mousely Brook crossing that needs step stones or a turnpike. Hopefully we can get some more help for the September 15th. work day. Totals for the day 7 people x 7 = 49 hours. And all tools accounted for. My thanks for all the fun to the entire crew.

June 23rd, 2012 – Artist’s Bluff

Seven Trailwrights gathered to make another treadway improvement on the Artist Bluff side of the Bald Mtn./Artist Bluff Path. Bill MacLean, Theresa Ludwick, Bernie Calder, Greg Russell, Ralph Potter, Peg and myself.

In a section below the Bluff there were some rocks that were too high causing people to go around them causing trail creep in a short but steep section. We installed Steps to cut the grade down and screed the sides to keep traffic on the steps. We also made an earth water bar just above this same area where hikers also went around high rocks. So we removed the larger rocks and developed the used worn in area as a water bar. Blocking it off forcing hikers back onto the smoothed treadway. Two double rock steps were installed along with two single steps.

Below this section was an old wood water bar that was several inches too high and a moderately steep short section with signs of erosion. We Tore out the wood and installed a rock bar in it’s place, then installed 4 single rock steps to cut the grade. Greg was leading this project for his first one with Trailwrights. Good job!

We were about to do some more steps back where we first started but Thunder was making it’s presence with darkness and rain coming so we decided to make it a day rather than get another project started that we would not have time to finish. Arrived back at the trailhead the same time as the rains.

We were satisfied with the improvement and plan to return to finish up with more improvements. One step at a time. Unfortunately darkness prevented good pictures of the finished work. And as usual we forgot to take before but attached are two.

Thanks to all for the dedication and hard work.