End of Season Report - Megalithic Trail Crew

The Trail Conference Conservation Corps has closed out our 2016 trail building season. The Megalithic Trail Crew made a herculean effort this season on the Upper East face of Bear Mountain working to reroute the Appalachian Trail.  Utilizing skillful handwork and rigging equipment, the crew and volunteers:

• Set 61 stone stairs averaging 650lbs. each.
• Constructed 563.3 square feet of crib wall.
• Revegetated 371 square feet of newly built trail.

Resulting in the completion of 357 linear feet of trail.  In 2017 we will be attempting to finish the remaining 788 linear feet to Perkins Memorial Tower. 

The 2016 Megalithic Trail Crew served 3634.5 member hours and engaged 225 volunteers who dedicated 2223.5 volunteer hours to this project. We were fortunate to have the opportunity to work together with:

• Mahwah Environmental Volunteers Organization
• Mid-Atlantic Trail Crew - Appalachian Trail Conservancy
• Millennium Development
• National Parks Conservation Association
• Nature Place Day Camp
• New York State Excelsior Conservation Corps
• Recreational Equipment Inc.
• Rockland Conservation and Service Corps
• United States Military Academy at West Point Cadets

In addition to working with the above groups, we were graced by the commitment and integrity of many individual volunteers.  These unsung heroes took it upon themselves, during their free time, to join the crew in its efforts despite adverse climate conditions, rough terrain, and construction challenges.  Our top volunteers this season were Daniel Yu with 204 hours, Garrison Allen with 56 hours, and Nicole Allen with 48 hours.

We’d like to thank our partners: The Corps Network’s AmeriCorps EAP Program, Corporation for National and Community Service, Recreational Equipment Inc., John Gunzler, National Park Service, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, Palisades Interstate Park Commission, Palisades Parks Conservancy, the staff of Bear Mountain State Park, Trail Conference Volunteer Leadership, and Harriman State Park Group Camps for contributing to our success this season and enabling us to provide opportunities for stewardship to our communities.

We would also like to thank Peter and Kevin for their perpetual encouragement and positivity while they hike by and test each new section of trail.

Check out the Megalithic Trail Crew Final Report

Check out the Trail Conference Conservation Corps Final Report