The Trail Conference Conservation Corps’s Trail Crews, funded through diverse grants and donors as well as contracts with government agencies, build, renovate, and repair trails in northern New Jersey and New York’s Hudson Valley. They support the Trail Conference’s overall mission by using high standards and best practices to create trails that are not only safe, enjoyable, and accessible, but also durable and sustainable over the long term.
Table of Contents
Taconic Crew: by Ash Steimle, Taconic Crew Leader
Wilkinson Memorial Trail
The Taconic Trail Crew continues to work on the Wilkinson Memorial Trail. The crew is working on rerouting two separate sections of pre-existing trail. One section is a stone staircase that we are installing up a steep slope. We are installing these steps over a herd path which naturally evolved due to the defunct nature of the preexisting trail. This month, we have nearly finished the upper staircase and have installed a total of 30 stairs at this site. The second section cuts off a stretch of steep, eroding trail, and instead utilizes switchbacks along the side slope and recently installed stone stairs to minimize erosion and maximize sustainability. This second section will have two switchbacks that cross the existing trail. This month, the crew completed one of the switchbacks.
In August, the Taconic crew made some impressive progress on the upper staircase site. We installed 20 stairs this month, bringing the total number of stairs up to 30. The crew continued to showcase their ingenuity in sourcing rocks this month, as these 20 stairs called for 40-50 individually sourced rocks. Some rocks were sourced from the former staircase, which we have now officially closed off to public use. We’ve welcomed hikers to start using the new staircase, which was a huge morale boost for the hardworking crew. The staircase is nearing completion, with only 2-3 steps remaining, and the crew is excited to finally finish up this section of the project in September.
Lower Reroute
This month, thanks to the help of volunteers and Conservation Corps members of other teams at the site, the crew completed the entirety of the lower reroute. This month we cut 287 feet of tread, making the total amount of tread cut for this reroute an impressive 606 feet. The crew was excited about this accomplishment and looks forward to closing part of the old trail, blazing the new trail, and finally allowing hikers to enjoy our hard work in earnest.
Volunteers-Special Project
At the beginning of August, the Taconic Trail Crew had the opportunity to work with some of our valued volunteers on a special project. These are projects that volunteers propose and on which they ask for a conservation corps crew to help. The crew got to work on Mount Beacon with volunteers to install 6 water-bars, which are a form of drainage that incorporate rocks for enhanced structural integrity. This trail is both highly eroded and highly trafficked, and after the flooding we’ve had this season this task was no joke, but both the crew and volunteers were highly motivated and we installed more than 50 feet of drainage in one day.
Taconic Trail Crew with volunteer Phil Heidelberger on Mt. Beacon
Volunteers- Workshops
In August, the Taconic crew held 2 workshops and hosted 4 volunteers at our site. During our Tread Construction and Repair Workshop we hosted 1 volunteer and cut about 50 feet of tread on the switchback that was completed this month. During our Drilling and Splitting Workshop, we taught 3 volunteers the basics of drilling and splitting using different methods and tools that they became familiar with by the end of the workday.
July 2023
Crew Highlights:
- Tread: 187 ft of new tread was cut on the lower leg of the new switchback
- Stairs: 11 total new stairs were set this month
- Drainage: 4 new drains were put in
- Volunteers: 2 Volunteer Workshops were held, and 6 volunteers worked at the site
Wilkinson Memorial Trail
The Taconic Trail Crew continues to work on the Wilkinson Memorial Trail. The crew is working on rerouting two separate sections of trail. One section is a stone staircase that we are installing up a steep stretch of trail that will allow hikes to climb more sustainably and comfortably. The second section cuts off a stretch of steep, eroding trail, and instead utilizes slower climbs up the side slope and stone stairs to minimize erosion and maximize sustainability. The second section will have two switchbacks that cross the existing trail. This month, the crew has almost completed one of the switchbacks.
Upper Reroute-Stone Steps
This month, the Taconic Trail Crew slowly but surely made progress on the upper staircase. 5 new stairs (and their corresponding supporting rocks) were installed, bringing the total number of stairs in this section up to 10. This is the most labor intensive and technical section at the Taconic site this season. One difficulty is the scarcity of rock in this area. Next month, we will begin to use rocks from the old staircase that we are rerouting away from, so rock sourcing should be easier moving forward. Another struggle is the steepness of the slope and the number of supporting rocks needed on both sides, but particularly on the left side, where supporting rocks are also acting as a retaining wall for the slope. Despite the complexities of this site, our crew is nearly halfway done with this section, and motivated to continue on with this section.
Lower Reroute
Crew Highlights:
- Rock sourcing: the crew sourced and transported 66 rocks using a highline rigging system
- Tread cutting: the crew cut 132 feet of new trail for the reroute
- Stone Steps: the crew set 9 new steps and their corresponding supporting rocks
Wilkinson Memorial Trail
The Taconic Trail Crew continues to work on the Wilkinson Memorial Trail. The crew is working on rerouting two separate sections of trail. One section is a stone staircase that we are installing up a steep stretch of trail that will allow hikes to climb more sustainably and comfortably. The second section cuts off a stretch of steep, eroding trail, and instead utilizes slower climbs up the side slope and stone stairs to minimize erosion and maximize sustainability.
This month, one of the main focuses of the crew was sourcing and transporting rocks that will be used to construct a stone staircase. The crew sourced rocks from a large boulder field, oftentimes drilling and splitting rocks to manage their size and shape.
After the rocks were sourced and staged, the crew transported them about 150 feet using a highline, and then about 150 more feet using a heavy-wield cart. The rocks were placed at a second staging site, where later in the season they will be transported another 200 feet to the actual stair building site.
This month, the crew started work on the upper section of the Wilkinson reroute. This section involves redirecting the trail away from an old, eroding staircase. To do this, the crew will be working to install a staircase in a steep, scrambly section of trail.
So far, the crew has installed 5 stairs in this section, as well as the corresponding supporting rocks (colloquially referred to as “gargoyles”) to keep the stairs in and secure. This section is tricky, not only because of the steep nature of the slope, but also due to the fact that there are not that many rocks nearby. Going forward, the crew will need to get creative with rock sourcing and stair construction, as rocks grow more scarce.
Lower Reroute- Tread Cut
For the lower section of the reroute on Wilkinson Memorial Trail, the crew cut 132 feet of new tread. This predominantly consisted of bench cutting previously untouched sections of ground. The crew removed the organic soil, dug down to mineral, clipped roots, and smoothed and tamped the tread.
Crew Highlights:
- Crew leaders and staff installed BioJute on an eroded section of the Washburn Trail
- The Trail Crew installed a highline at Wilkinson Memorial Trail and began quarrying and staging rocks
- The Trail Crew began work on a reroute of part of the Wilkinson Memorial Trail
BioJute Installation at Washburn Trail
During the preseason, our Trail Crew Leaders worked on a section of the Washburn trail installing BioJute to prevent further erosion. In previous seasons, Trail Crews had worked to reroute an old section of the Washburn Trail. Today, this section of old trail acts as drainage, and has consequently continued to become eroded over time, despite its closure several years ago by the crew.
In order to prevent further erosion, and to encourage the growth of plants in this area, our team worked to install BioJute in these areas. BioJute is a biodegradable erosion control blanket used to protect slopes and stream banks from the elements. After a time it degrades as plants start to form and do their job of protecting the soil and slopes from erosion.
In order to prevent further erosion, and to encourage the growth of plants in this area, our team worked to install BioJute in these areas. BioJute is a biodegradable erosion control blanket used to protect slopes and stream banks from the elements. After a time it degrades as plants start to form and do their job of protecting the soil and slopes from erosion.
Wilkinson Memorial Trail
This month, work started in earnest at the Wilkinson Memorial Trail, where the Taconic Trail Crew will spend their season working. The main project for the crew this season is rerouting a section of the Wilkinson Memorial Trail. The current trail is very steep and acting as drainage, and with the increased popularity of trails in this region, it is more important than ever to work to make our trails as sustainable as possible. To this end, the reroute will utilize slower climbs up the side slope and stone stairs to minimize erosion by water and hikers.
Highline Set Up
The crew this season will need to build a number of stone stairs as a part of the reroute. In order to do so, the crew will be quarrying rocks from a location about 500 feet from the trail reroute. To make rock moving easier, or at least less strenuous, the crew spent several days learning about rigging and how to set up a highline for rock movement.
Harriman Crew: by Keith Scherer, Harriman Crew Leader
Crew Highlights
- Completed staircase project at worksite B, along Ramapo-Dunderderg Trail south of Kanawauke Rd.
- Completed rock staircase on Blue Disc Trail at worksite E south of Almost Perpendicular, Constructed three new drainage features and improved an existing waterbar.
- Completed three new drainage features and restored one existing waterbar at Lusscroft Farms, High Point St. Park NJ
Worksite B, Ramapo-Dunderberg south of Kanawauke Rd.
Worksite E, Blue Disc. NW of intersection with Kakiat,
Below Almost Perpendicular
Completed Rock Staircase on Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail
South of Kanawake Rd.
Above: Harriman Trail Crew with completed staircase.
From left to right: Joe, Andrew, Nathaniel, Keith, Jody, and Pete
Harriman Crew with completed log check step staircase
Top to bottom: Nathaniel, Pete, Joe, and Jody.
Drainage features constructed upslope of Log Check Steps
Direction of arrow indicates water flow.
Reconstructed water bar along Leprechaun Trial Lusscroft Farms, during and after construction.
Drainage feature under construction along Leprechaun Tr. at Lusscroft Farms. Pipes were installed and it was filled with gravel.
Nathaniel and Pete posing with completed armored drain along Leprechaun Tr. at Lusscroft Farms.
Staircase site on Blue Disc Trail as work started.
Drain constructed above stair site on Blue Disc.
Nathaniel and Andrew shaping bedrock into steps above staircase.
Looking down bedrock at stair site as first few risers were installed.
Completed staircase on Blue Disc Tr. looking down stairs.
Completed staircase along Blue Disc Tr. looking up steps.
Steps carved into bedrock just above staircase along Blue Disc Tr.
Drain above staircase along Blue Disc Tr. Arrow indicates water flow.
Lower Drain below stair site along Blue Disc. Arrow indicates water flow.
Reconstructed waterbar above work site along Blue Disc. Arrow indicates water flow.
Kiosk Frame constructed at Ramapo-Dunderberg
Harriman Trail Crew Narrative:
As the calendar turned to August, the Harriman Trail Crew continued their work along the rock staircase along the Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail. As the staircase climbed the grade, we needed to pay extra attention to the slope along the right side of the staircase, adding large “gargoyle” rocks that also helped hold back the hillside. As we installed the final steps, we began to naturalize the area of the quarry, and any other areas of impact our work had on the area. This included filling in the holes left by removing rocks and then placing downed trees, leaves and brush in the quarry area. Finally, we naturalized around the staircase to steer hikers along the stairs.
The trail crew then helped with a one-day volunteer project at Lusscroft, refurbishing a water bar that was previously constructed and constructing a new one along the Leprechaun Trail. Afterward, we constructed two drainage features using plastic pipes buried across the trail in gravel drainage ditches. Construction was difficult due to the high clay content of the soil, and higher than normal water table due to summer rains. Volunteers loaded gravel to the site with their side-by-side ATV while the trail crew dug the drains. The crew then filled the drains with coarse gravel, pipe, and then river wash gravel.
The trail crew then moved to their next project on the Blue Disc Trail. First, the crew constructed two drainages above a very steep bedrock ascent along the trail. These drains will steer water across the trail to prevent it from going down the bedrock ascent and making it slippery. With these completed, the crew sourced rocks for the staircase within the immediate trail to avoid rattlesnake habitat.
We then had to say farewell to our 450 hour Trail Crew Members. Thank You to Joe, Jody, Yanshi, and Pete for all their hard work. Work continued along the stairs at Blue Disc under a new combined crew model. Keith and Nathaniel welcomed Mike to the crew and began setting more steps. The crew's challenge here was we were not setting rock steps into dirt, but up against bedrock. Platforms were constructed using large boulders as the crew got closer to the bedrock face. Finally, reaching the top of the bedrock face, the crew lowered the height of the face to meet the steps by carving out the final top steps out of the bedrock itself. This transition provided a natural feel to the steps and retained some of the bedrock scramble charm that previously existed. During the final two days of the month, the crew constructed the frame of a kiosk at the Ramapo-Dunderburg trailhead in Tuxedo, NY.
Crew Highlights
- Constructed log check step staircase consisting of 12 log check steps.
- Constructed Stone staircase consisting of 10 stone steps.
- Constructed Drainage structure with Volunteers.
Worksite B: South of Kanawake Rd.:
Above: Drainage constructed during Volunteer worktrip.
Water flow direction indicated by arrow.
Above: Log steps after installation of the first riser.
Above: Completed Log Staircase
Above: Stone staircase in progress.
Above: Lower portion of rock stairs complete.
Above: Platform and upper section of staircase in progress
Above: Crew operating the highline system
Above: Operating griphoist in foreground, belay in background.
The Harriman Trail Crew began in July quarrying rocks for the stone staircase south of Kanawuake Rd along the Ramapo Dunderberg Trail. Rock splitting was performed using two different techniques. One technique utilized a rifting hammer and doublejack and one utilized feathers and wedges. The local rocks provided a challenge in splitting, as many had natural faults from weathering and quartz band inclusions that did not lend itself to good splits in the rocks. Many rocks that were planned to provide multiple risers for steps most times only produced one. These natural faults also led to occasions where when moving a rock, it would break along one of these faults, leaving it unusable.
Crew members then set up a highline system to transport the rocks to the stair site. The crew then had to begin building steps as soon as possible, as space for storing rocks near stone stair site is steep and limited. Concurrently, as stone steps were beginning to be installed, log check step construction continued.
One of the challenges this site presented was the steep area where the highline landing zone was located. Landing rocks required pulling them towards the trail, away from the centerline of the highline. The larger the rock, the more force needed to accomplish this. Two or three crew members were required to help get some of the rocks over a downed tree into our landing zone. Guiding rocks along the highline required crew members to pay attention to the rock on the line and the steep section of trail traversed along the way. As the highline’s path passed over the log check step site, work paused to let rocks pass overhead. This required extra communication between crew members.
The second challenge that faced the crew during the month was rain. Severe storms halted work on the trail for a few days, as well as damaging roads in the park. While the worksite was not severely damaged in the storms, saturated soils made our rock landing site precarious to navigate. Once stable rocks had slid downslope while choosing a rock for the next step, requiring a half day effort to correct. An unexpected effect of roads being closed in the park was increased traffic, and the noise associated with it. Under these conditions it made it difficult for people living at camp to navigate to the trailhead. Communication was difficult between crew members both while using the highline, and while working together closely moving rocks and setting steps.
In July the Harriman Crew hosted two volunteer workdays with seven total attendees. In the first, volunteers assisted the crew by splitting rocks and helping operate the highline system, although this work trip was cut short due to the severe storms that would damage the northern end of the park later that day. Volunteers on the second work trip helped build a drainage structure at the most upslope section of our worksite. We realized the need for water diversion here during inspection following storms the week prior. Volunteers also helped naturalize a social trail near the drain and one near the trailhead. After that was completed, they worked on helping us correct the rocks that had slid out onto the trail as mentioned previously. An interesting side note about the volunteers is that three of the seven were serving as a requirement to gain access to long distance races, and forms were filled out by me to validate their time with us.
Crew Highlights:
- Completed 7 new drainage structures at Worksite D. Installed 4 stepping stones, cleaned out and restored two existing drainage structures (water bars). Removed one large, downed tree enroute to worksite.
- Naturalized almost 450ft of social trails at Worksite B. Improved almost 65 ft of treadway to make it more palatable and safer for hikers. Created two drainage features, where none existed before.
- Harvested and prepared logs for installation as log check steps. Began installation of log check steps.
- Quarried and began spitting rocks for rock staircase.
Harriman Trail Crew Narrative June 2023
June began with all trail crew members working together on building our skillsets to prepare for splitting into our individual crews mid-month. All crews trained together at all three worksites, where we learned various skills including rock moving, stone step setting, and highline cable operations.
In southern Harriman State Park, we applied these skills along the westernmost 1000 feet of the Tuxedo-Mt Ivy Trail. Here we installed four stepping stones in a well-known wet area and constructed seven drainage features along this steep section of trail. These consisted of several types of rolling grade drainages to allow water to exit the treadway and mitigate erosion. Finally, we dug out and restored a few existing water bars along the Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail on our way out, which had filled in with sediment over the years. As a bonus, we encountered a large blowdown along the way to the worksite and moved this blowdown off the trail via a group carry.
At mid-month, with the individual crews established, the newly minted Harriman Crew ventured off to begin work at Harriman Worksite B, just south of Kanawauke Rd. (formerly known as county route 106). In the upper section of the worksite, we proceeded to begin to junk in and naturalize three large social trails, two of which were cutting off the upper switchback. The third social trail lead downhill away from the turn in the switchback. We did this by building junk walls of rock near the entrances of these sections of the trail to make them a lot less inviting. After that we sourced various pieces of deadfall trees to block the trail and added a layer of leaves to naturalize the area to allow it to recover. The crew followed this up by making the correct alignment of the trail more inviting for hikers to want to use by pulling out a few of the larger rocks in the treadway and filling the holes with some rock crush and mineral soil.
With the upper section of this jobsite buttoned up, we then moved downhill along the trail and began quarry rocks for the rock staircase portion of the project. This quarry will provide the required rocks for our stone staircase, however we also needed black locust logs for our log check steps. The logs were sourced from within the park near Lake Sebago and transported to the trailhead to be debarked and marked. The Senior Trail Builder for the Trail Conference, Ben Sugar, then used his chainsaw to begin cutting the notches out of the tops, and the excess material was removed with a mattock to produce a flat walking surface when they are installed in the trail.
While waiting for the tools to set up the highline cable system, and final log preparations, the crew worked on a few small side projects. We installed a better stepping stone on the north side of the road (Worksite H), near the parking lot where the trail has a water crossing. Finally, we naturalized the social trail that was misleading hikers headed northbound out of the parking area. We also naturalized all the social trails on the south side of the road, leading up from the eastern parking lot area to the actual alignment of the trail.
The final days of the month found all the Trail Crews back at the Welch Trail Education Center for Leave No Trace Trainer Classes. Here we learned the seven principles of Leave No Trace and practiced teaching those principles to others.
Key Accomplishments:
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Trail Crew Leaders prepared previously dug holes for Kiosk foundation pouring. Forms and a jig were then constructed to facilitate pouring of the 18” wide concrete footings. Concrete was then poured into the footings.
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Trail Crew leaders used training time of 900-hour members on grip hoist and basic rock moving techniques to begin work on social trail remediation and cleaning up current trail route treadway at Harriman Worksite B on Ramapo-Dunderburg Trail just south of RT. 106.
In the month of May, Trail Conservation Corps leaders and members got a good amount of work done, while receiving the basic skills training, they will need for the upcoming season. Our training had us at multiple worksites inside and outside of Harriman State Park. These locations included Hudson Highlands SP, Sterling Forest SP, and the Welch Education Center.
It began with a trip up to Albany, for the 2023 AmeriCorps Service Summit. Throughout our day in the capital, we participated in a variety of activities that reinforced what it means to serve the greater good with AmeriCorps. Speakers, who previously served in AmeriCorps programs, highlighted the many positive impacts it had on their own, and others' lives. During lunch, we participated in the AmeriCorps Service Fair. All the participating organizations had tables where you could walk around and talk to them about what they do in their communities back home. Together we answered many questions about what exactly we do as Trail Builders, along with some explanations of tools we use to accomplish our projects. Finally, in the afternoon, we participated in a few projects and workshops. One was assembling boxes of supplies for homeless youths.
The next project we embarked on was trail remediation of an old section of trail along the Washburn Trail in Hudson Highlands State Park. There we installed Bio Jute to help retain the soil and encourage plant growth along an abandoned section of trail that had been rerouted around. Next, we repaired the fences surrounding the area, and installed the state’s signage, explaining how the area is being remediated.
Around the middle of the month, the leaders were onboarding the new 900-hour members. That began with orientation at the TC headquarters and concluded with a hike up Bear Mountain. This hike served two functions. First it allowed us to get to know each other a little bit, and secondly, we got to observe all the work that the Trail Conference did in restoring the Appalachian Trail here to a more sustainable route. This was the first time I personally hiked this section of trail since it had been totally rebuilt. I was utterly amazed at the work that had been done and enjoyed conveying to others what kind of condition the trail was in previously. We also talked about some of Harriman State Park’s history along the way.
Now that we are orientated and acquainted, we all gathered at Welch Trail Education Center to begin the tool load in at Sterling Forest SP. It was here that we did our tread construction workshops, as well as moving the job box closer to the new work site along Mckeags Meadow Trail. Here, we covered the basics of bench cut tread construction.
In our first visit to Harriman, we repeated the tool load-in procedure, on our way to learning basic rock moving and rock dragging techniques with the grip hoist. We began staging rocks for trail naturalization, and moved a few rocks out of the treadway, to make a smoother, more appealing treadway to hikers.
With some basic grip hoist skills in tow, we began the tool load-in for Hudson Highlands SP. Here is where we started our training in basic high line rigging setups. Learning climbing safety techniques, we installed blocks in the trees, to hang our high line to begin moving rocks, over long, steep conditions. General tarp rigging was also covered as rain did begin to move into our jobsite, for one of the few times this season so far.
Finally, we capped the month with our Wilderness First Aid Training. Three days of classroom, and in the field training. Group activities consisted of various scenarios where we used our knowledge from the classroom, in a more real-world setting. Together we role played various common first aid needs, from lacerations to broken bones, and performed the needed aid to each other using exact copies of the first aid kits that we carry into the field every workday.
Palisades Crew: by Eric Nordfors, Palisades Crew Leader
Crew Highlights:
- Installed turnpike though rocky and uneven scree fields.
- Built up several different stretches of trail with rock wall to create a rideable surface.
- Continued bench cutting.
Some photos showcasing the installation of an armored drain from start to finish:
Swansong for the original Palisades 2023 Trail Crew, August proved to be a brief, dynamic and bittersweet period. The month began rather sedately with a flurry of trail adjustments to improve the rideability and safety of the McKeags Meadow Loop reroute. Oftentimes, the necessity of these changes only become apparent once a newly minted trail starts being used and in that the local Mountain Bikers and Hikers have been a huge help to us. A cluster of bristling Barberry removed to improve sightlines, boulders hoisted over and carefully planted to naturally slow down the pace before a bend in the trail, ours was the kind of detail work that truly helps a good route become a great one.
With all of the recent severe weather, Drainage improvement was an important feature of our August work as well, and we were lucky to have repeat volunteers to help us during both our normal drain installations and also with the mid-month Drainage structure workshop. Only time and future storms can really prove the mettle of our work, but I am confident that they will aid in keeping the McKeags Meadow reroute in fighting trim for some time to come.
Volunteers were also helpful during the final stretch of tread work and turnpiking before the reroute rejoined active Trail once again. The humid forest sang with the chops, clangs and squeaks of assorted tools as we crept closer and closer to our goal. And suddenly, we arrived. The long-term intersection between the reroute and existing trail still needs some attention but for all intents and purposes the reroute was open to traffic. Huzzah!
With the McKeags Meadow reroute walking tall and time rapidly running out for the 450-hour crewmembers, our gaze turned across Long Meadow Road to the half-completed Sterling Lake Loop reroute. The sprayers of the Invasives Strike Force had done their work well and many Angelica stumps proved quick work to dispose of. In two steaming hot days of intensive work the trail was effectively opened to the public! Some adjustments will need to be made once we see how things are wearing in but overall this stretch of trail is a testament to just how effective Trail Crew and ISF can be when they team up for joint projects.
All good things must come to an end however, and by mid-month the contracts of many of our crewmembers both here at Palisades and among the rest of the Conservation Corps had drawn to a close. It was with heavy heart that I wished them good luck before they drove off into the warm afternoon sun, but such is life. Those on the Palisades crew who remained were sent away to reinforce ongoing projects at Harriman and the Hudson Highlands, so for a time the current NYNJTC Conservation Corps efforts at Sterling Forest slumbered.
In September though, we shall return. A different crew for certain but with a similar passion and humor. Many new adventures await; stay tuned.
Crew Highlights:
- Removed numerous Japanese Angelica tress with the Invasives Strike Force and Volunteers to prepare for a reroute along the Sterling Lake Loop.
- Radically improved and finished a long stretch of previously machine cut trail.
- Installed several stretches of wall to facilitate Bicycle and Horse trail use.
- Conducted a successful Tread Workshop and several volunteer workdays.
- Travelled to Dover NY to aid the Invasives Strike Force with a Sticky Sage removal project.
Using the Canycom to harvest and transport mineral soil for tread surfacing.
Using a griphoist to position boulders to build a retaining wall in order to elevate the tread.
Crew members with the completed boulder retaining wall.
Above: 4 pictures of the progress in elevating a section of tread. 1) Completed boulder retaining wall, 2) beginning backfill with medium-sized rocks, 3) completed backfill with smaller hand-crushed rock, and 4) finished elevated tread with mineral soil surfacing added and compacted.
July was extremely dynamic for the Palisades Trail Crew, with crew crossovers, combinations, volunteers a go-go and even a Tread Workshop. The start of the month had us combined with the Invasives Strike Force and Sterling Forest trail maintainers for some long overdue Japanese Angelica Tree removal along the Sterling Lake Loop. Getting to speak with the maintainers was a rare treat as they had several insights about the Loop that only come from countless hours spent keeping things in shape and sustainable. Early on in the month also marked the first Hudson Valley Stewards workday, and their strong backs and good attitudes were a considerable help to our large-scale trail improvement and construction efforts, notably with the over 800 feet of de-berming and backsloping a previously machine cut section of the McKeags Meadow Loop reroute.
On the menu as well during July were several long stretches of wall, and with this heavy task our crew benefitted from outside help in the form of motivated volunteers and an unscheduled combination with the Taconic crew. The mid-month closure of the Bear Mountain Bridge had left Taconic stranded on the wrong side of the Hudson, but fortunately here in Sterling Forest there is no shortage of work, and for a few days the carnival atmosphere of the fused crews was a welcome change of pace.
Mid July as well marked a trip to Dover New York to aid the Invasives Strike Force with their Sticky Sage Removal efforts. It was a pleasure closely seeing how a different part of the Conservation Corps lived and worked while away from camp and it was palpable how our work in manually pulling the offending plant aided a much larger environmental management effort.
Finally, the end of month Tread Workshop proved to be both informative and effective, with t volunteers demonstrating a keen willingness to learn and immediately apply their new knowledge throughout the final section of the planned re-route. All of us on the crew look forward to hopefully seeing them and the multitude of other volunteers again as we continue our struggle towards a more sustainable trail network.
Crew Highlights:
- Installed turnpike though a rocky and uneven scree field.
- Built up several different stretches of trail with rock wall to create a rideable surface behind.
- Continued bench cutting rerouted portions of the McKeags Meadow Loop.
Mid-June marked the end of combined training and the true beginning of the Palisades Trail Crew’s Odyssey through the McKeags Meadow Loop. Braving stormy weather, mediocre air quality and prolific biting/stinging insects, we took our bearings and settled down to the work. Soon the living forest sang with the sound of rogue hoes rending earth and hammers striking rock as we worked through varied and difficult terrain in our quest to improve the areas multi-use trail. Seemingly in the blink of an eye over 500 feet of new trail had been cut and several portions built up with locally sourced stone to properly sustain hiking, biking and even equestrian traffic.
A particular stretch of new turnpike already has proven to be extremely popular with mountain bikers despite its location in the middle of an active construction site:
May 2023
By Ben Sugar, Senior Trail Builder
Key Accomplishments:
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Trained 16 TCCC corps members and 26 members of Rockland County Service Corps on basic corridor clearing and tread construction
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Continued work started at end on 2022 on reroute section M-4 (see map), tread work now 80% complete
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Pushed forward work on reroute section M-5 beyond work done in late 2022 using mechanized assistance; cleared almost entire length of section and roughed in areas requiring most extensive benchcutting
Staff, Crew Leaders and new Members moving the toolbox further south.
Above: Seasonal Trail Builder Andrew instructing new Members on how to properly dig new trail tread
Below: Field Trail Builder Bob and Crew Leader Eric demonstrate setting up to belay a rock downhill for use in a structure later on
Above: New Members Kuumba, Nathaneal and Mike take their first turn stripping organic soil away from what will become new trail tread
Below: The assembled new Leaders and Members hike out after a long several days training on the trail in Sterling Forest
This May marked the start of the Corps’ Palisades Trail Crew’s fourth year working on renovating Sterling Forest State Park’s McKeags Meadow Loop. As a new cohort of members began what will hopefully be the final season of this labor-intensive and collaborative multi-use trail project, much remained to be done. This, in turn, made it the perfect location for all of our new crews to receive much of their practical trailbuilding training to start the year. Several different groups of our 16 Crew Leaders and new Members each spent days learning about trail assessment and sustainable layout and design, and more importantly how to clear corridor and dig tread for new trails, as well as quarry and safely move large rocks.
For most of them, this was their first taste of trail work and all the challenges and rewards it offers. Early season blisters on fresh hands, blackfly swarms and tick hazards while working, and (unsuccessfully) racing to leave ahead of the occasional late-day storm are all perennial occupational hazards. On the other side of the spectrum, each year a new group of trailworkers uncertainly begins digging away at what seems like an arbitrary line of flags in the forest, only to look over several hours later at what the group has created and suddenly have a flash of recognition. “Ohhh…it’s a trail!” As a manager and teacher, it’s part of the job that never gets old.
Additionally, this project site played host to 26 members of this year’s Rockland Conservation and Service Corps, a sister program, who on May 24th joined 3 Trail Conference staff to receive training in many of the same trailbuilding tools and skills that our own Corps crews learn. All told, so many people “training by doing” this past month had a big impact – over 200 feet of rerouted trail completed, and at least 1/4 mile more cleared of vegetation and partially built. As the Palisades Trail Crew settles into the main part of their season in June, their first task will be finishing off all the work begun by them and others this past month, as they continue to build their way south and eventually meet up with our collaborating partners at Palisades MTB who have been doing amazing work elsewhere in the park.