Arrangements for extra food can be made by contacting the above address or phone if volunteers want to eat with the crew, or if extra safety gear is needed. Please call to volunteer to assist on the Maine Trail Crew projects listed below.
| May 17: (MATC trip) Horns Pond primary caretaker site carry-in -- Pack-in to Horns Pond Leanto site. To prepare the Horns Pond site for the caretaking season. Folks can either come for the day or can plan to spend the weekend. To sign on, get directions, or have questions answered, contact Nancy Fischer at loaves98@roadrunner.com. |
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| June 7: Project #1 - Gulf Hagas Mountain -- New trail improvements: Steps and Waterbars. MTC recently cleared a relocation up the South Face of Gulf Hagas Mountain. The terrain is steep and rugged, and will require stone steps and waterbars to stabilize the trail. The work will involve hand tools such as mattocks, shovels, pry bars and Griphoists to move rocks and shape the footpath. The crew will backpack 3 miles along abandoned logging roads to a streamside campsite, and then hike 1 more mile each day to the project. Moderate Difficulty. |
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| June 7: Project #2 - Nahmakanta Lake -- Side Hill Trail Repairs. The team will be finishing a stone staircase on Nesuntabunt Mountain overlooking Nahmakanta Lake. The work will inolve hand tools such as mattocks, shovels, and pry bars, along with Griphoist tools to move rocks. The crew will camp at Pollywog Pond Campsite and hike a mile to the worksites each day. Moderate Difficulty. |
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| June 7: Project #3 - Horseshoe Canyon -- Steps and Waterbars. Horseshoe Canyon of the Piscataquis River is a wild and scenic place. The crew will be making numerous tread improvements along this stretch of the trail. Hand tools and Griphoist gear will be used to place rocks along the downhill side of the footpath. The crew will wade the river (which can be almost waist deep), hike about 2 easy miles, and then camp near the Horseshoe Canyon Lean-to. Moderate Difficulty. |
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| June 9 -- Wilderness First Aid Course. The Maine Trail Crew is offering MATC members an opportunity to take the SOLO Wilderness First Aid course on June 9 - 10 at the base camp in Garland. This class exceeds the first-aid requirement for chainsaw safety certification. SOLO begins its course description with the truism "Accidents happen." Wilderness First Aid -- SOLO's most popular course -- teaches basic skills for hikers on short trips with family and friends, skills that can make a difference in the outcome of a bad situation. Topics presented by the experienced instructors include patient assessment, shock, soft tissue injuries, fractures, splint improvisation, heat- and cold-related emergencies, and patient care. Great emphasis is given to prevention and preparedness. Classes include hands-on scenarios both indoors and outside. More details are available at www.soloschools.com. The fee for MATC members is $125, which includes instruction and meals. CPR instruction is available for an additional $35. Overnight space is provided in the wall tents, or there is plenty of room to put up your own tent if you prefer. Contact Elsa Sanborn at 207-947-2723 for registration and more details. |
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| June 14: (MATC trip) Horns Pond secondary caretaker site carry-in -- Pack-in to Horns Pond Lean-to site. To prepare the Horns Pond site for the caretaking season. Folks can either come for the day or can plan to spend the weekend. To sign on, get directions, or have questions answered, contact Nancy Fischer at loaves98@roadrunner.com. |
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| June 14: (MATC trip) Piazza Rock caretaker site carry-in -- Pack-in to Piazza Rock Lean-to site. To prepare the Piazza Rock site for the caretaking season. Folks can either come for the day or can plan to spend the weekend. To sign on, get directions, or have questions answered, contact Nancy Fischer at loaves98@roadrunner.com. |
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| June 14: (MATC trip) Gulf Hagas caretaker site carry-in -- Pack-in to Gulf Hagas site. To prepare the Gulf Hagas site for the caretaking season. Folks can either come for the day or can plan to spend the weekend. To sign on, get directions, or have questions answered, contact Nancy Fischer at loaves98@roadrunner.com. |
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| June 14: Project #1 - Gulf Hagas Mountain -- New trail improvements: Steps and Waterbars. MTC recently cleared a relocation up the South Face of Gulf Hagas Mountain. The terrain is steep and rugged, and will require stone steps and waterbars to stabilize the trail. The work will involve hand tools such as mattocks, shovels, pry bars and Griphoists to move rocks and shape the footpath. The crew will backpack 3 miles along abandoned logging roads to a streamside campsite, and then hike 1 more mile each day to the project. Moderate Difficulty. |
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| June 14: Project #4 - North Slope of White Cap Mountain -- New trail improvements: Rock Steps. White Cap Mountain is the highest point on the Trail between Bigelow and Katahdin. The open summit offers extraordinary views of the north woods country. The crew will build rock steps just below treeline on the north side of the mountain using rock drills and Griphoist equipment to produce and collect step stones. White Cap District Overseer Julian Wiggins writes that he would like to have volunteers to pack in equipment on the roughly 2.5-mile pack-in to the Logan Brook Lean-to. There is a large amount of equipment and tools to be moved, and the more hands to help, the better. In addition to White Cap, there are a number of other projects in the White Cap District this summer and I would encourage all of you to lend a hand with a pack-in or to work with the crew for a couple days over a weekend. The crew will also be working on Gulf Hagas Mtn. and at Gulf Hagas. The crew will backpack 2 miles up the mountain and camp in a ravine carved by Logan Brook. More Difficult. |
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| June 14: Project #5 - West Baldpate -- Rock Waterbars and Steps. The two summits and extensive open areas of Baldpate Mountain form the eastern side of Grafton Notch. We will build rock waterbars and steps to reconstruct the trail near the western summit of Baldpate Mountain. The work will be high on the mountain. Stone-cutting tools will be used to shape boulders, and the crew will use Griphoist equipment and hand tools, such as mattocks, shovels, and pry bars to move rocks into position along the trail. The crew will backpack 2 miles up the mountain to a campsite, and then hike 3/4 mile farther up to the work site. Most Difficult. |
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| June 14 and 15: (MATC Bigelow District maintainer scheduled trip) -- New Redington Stream Campsite. Bigelow District maintainer Dave Field writes: We need volunteers to build the Maine Appalachian Trail Club's newest campsite, near the east base of The Horn on the Saddleback Mt. Range. The first three work trips will be in June (the weekends of June 14, 15; 21, 22; and 28, 29), to take advantage of the peeling season. We need to clear a long side trail from the campsite to Redington Stream, build several tent pads, construct a privy, and build a number of bog bridges on the side trail and also on the AT near the campsite. Certified chainsaw operators, clipper operators, carpenters, and folks willing to work with digging tools will all be needed and welcome. This is a beautiful area to work in and side trips to climb The Horn or Saddleback Jr. will be tolerated. If you are interested in helping with this important project, please contact Dave Field at 862-3674 or meeser3@roadrunner.com for specifics on gathering places and times for each work weekend. Directions for access to the work site are a little tricky, so be sure to contact Dave in advance to reduce the chances of getting lost. |
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| June 21: Project #1 - Gulf Hagas Mountain -- New trail improvements: Steps and Waterbars. MTC recently cleared a relocation up the South Face of Gulf Hagas Mountain. The terrain is steep and rugged, and will require stone steps and waterbars to stabilize the trail. The work will involve hand tools such as mattocks, shovels, pry bars and Griphoists to move rocks and shape the footpath. The crew will backpack 3 miles along abandoned logging roads to a streamside campsite, and then hike 1 more mile each day to the project. Moderate Difficulty. |
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| June 21: Project #4 - North Slope of White Cap Mountain -- New trail improvements: Rock Steps. White Cap Mountain is the highest point on the Trail between Bigelow and Katahdin. The open summit offers extraordinary views of the north woods country. The crew will build rock steps just below treeline on the north side of the mountain using rock drills and Griphoist equipment to produce and collect step stones. The crew will backpack 2 miles up the mountain and camp in a ravine carved by Logan Brook. More Difficult. |
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| June 21: Project #5 - West Baldpate -- Rock Waterbars and Steps. The two summits and extensive open areas of Baldpate Mountain form the eastern side of Grafton Notch. We will build rock waterbars and steps to reconstruct the trail near the western summit of Baldpate Mountain. The work will be high on the mountain. Stone-cutting tools will be used to shape boulders, and the crew will use Griphoist equipment and hand tools, such as mattocks, shovels, and pry bars to move rocks into position along the trail. The crew will backpack 2 miles up the mountain to a campsite, and then hike 3/4 mile farther up to the work site. Most Difficult. |
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| June 21 and 22: (MATC Bigelow District maintainer scheduled trip) -- New Redington Stream Campsite. Bigelow District maintainer Dave Field writes: We need volunteers to build the Maine Appalachian Trail Club's newest campsite, near the east base of The Horn on the Saddleback Mt. Range. The first three work trips will be in June (the weekends of June 14, 15; 21, 22; and 28, 29), to take advantage of the peeling season. We need to clear a long side trail from the campsite to Redington Stream, build several tent pads, construct a privy, and build a number of bog bridges on the side trail and also on the AT near the campsite. Certified chainsaw operators, clipper operators, carpenters, and folks willing to work with digging tools will all be needed and welcome. This is a beautiful area to work in and side trips to climb The Horn or Saddleback Jr. will be tolerated. If you are interested in helping with this important project, please contact Dave Field at 862-3674 or meeser3@roadrunner.com for specifics on gathering places and times for each work weekend. Directions for access to the work site are a little tricky, so be sure to contact Dave in advance to reduce the chances of getting lost. |
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| June 28: Project #1 - Gulf Hagas Mountain -- New trail improvements: Steps and Waterbars. MTC recently cleared a relocation up the South Face of Gulf Hagas Mountain. The terrain is steep and rugged, and will require stone steps and waterbars to stabilize the trail. The work will involve hand tools such as mattocks, shovels, pry bars and Griphoists to move rocks and shape the footpath. The crew will backpack 3 miles along abandoned logging roads to a streamside campsite, and then hike 1 more mile each day to the project. Moderate Difficulty. |
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| June 28: Project #4 - North Slope of White Cap Mountain -- New trail improvements: Rock Steps. White Cap Mountain is the highest point on the Trail between Bigelow and Katahdin. The open summit offers extraordinary views of the north woods country. The crew will build rock steps just below treeline on the north side of the mountain using rock drills and Griphoist equipment to produce and collect step stones. The crew will backpack 2 miles up the mountain and camp in a ravine carved by Logan Brook. More Difficult. |
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| June 28: Project #5 - West Baldpate -- Rock Waterbars and Steps. The two summits and extensive open areas of Baldpate Mountain form the eastern side of Grafton Notch. We will build rock waterbars and steps to reconstruct the trail near the western summit of Baldpate Mountain. The work will be high on the mountain. Stone-cutting tools will be used to shape boulders, and the crew will use Griphoist equipment and hand tools, such as mattocks, shovels, and pry bars to move rocks into position along the trail. The crew will backpack 2 miles up the mountain to a campsite, and then hike 3/4 mile farther up to the work site. Most Difficult. |
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| June 28 and 29: (MATC Bigelow District maintainer scheduled trip) -- New Redington Stream Campsite. Bigelow District maintainer Dave Field writes: We need volunteers to build the Maine Appalachian Trail Club's newest campsite, near the east base of The Horn on the Saddleback Mt. Range. The first three work trips will be in June (the weekends of June 14, 15; 21, 22; and 28, 29), to take advantage of the peeling season. We need to clear a long side trail from the campsite to Redington Stream, build several tent pads, construct a privy, and build a number of bog bridges on the side trail and also on the AT near the campsite. Certified chainsaw operators, clipper operators, carpenters, and folks willing to work with digging tools will all be needed and welcome. This is a beautiful area to work in and side trips to climb The Horn or Saddleback Jr. will be tolerated. If you are interested in helping with this important project, please contact Dave Field at 862-3674 or meeser3@roadrunner.com for specifics on gathering places and times for each work weekend. Directions for access to the work site are a little tricky, so be sure to contact Dave in advance to reduce the chances of getting lost. |
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| July 5: Project #4 - North Slope of White Cap Mountain -- New trail improvements: Rock Steps. White Cap Mountain is the highest point on the Trail between Bigelow and Katahdin. The open summit offers extraordinary views of the north woods country. The crew will build rock steps just below treeline on the north side of the mountain using rock drills and Griphoist equipment to produce and collect step stones. The crew will backpack 2 miles up the mountain and camp in a ravine carved by Logan Brook. More Difficult. |
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| July 5: Project #6 - Katahdin - The Hunt Trail -- Rock Steps and Waterbars. Katahdin's Hunt Trail is the final 5 miles of the Appalachian Trail. Climbing the Hunt Spur, the trail suffers from severe erosion. The crew will be building waterbars and steps between Katahdin Falls and "The Cave." Hand tools and Griphoist gear will ge used to gather rocks and put them in the right places. The crew will stay in a Baxter State Park campground and hike up to 3 miles to the worksite each day. Moderate Difficulty. |
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| July 5: Project #7 - Gulf Hagas -- Drainage and Tread Improvements. Gulf Hagas is often called the "Grand Canyon of the East." Walls of stone rise more than 100 feet above the Pleasant River. The crew will be making improvements to drainage and the footpath where it travels along the edge of the canyon. The crew will car-camp and hike up to 2.5 miles to the work sites each day. Moderate Difficulty. |
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| July 12: Project #4 - North Slope of White Cap Mountain -- New trail improvements: Rock Steps. White Cap Mountain is the highest point on the Trail between Bigelow and Katahdin. The open summit offers extraordinary views of the north woods country. The crew will build rock steps just below treeline on the north side of the mountain using rock drills and Griphoist equipment to produce and collect step stones. The crew will backpack 2 miles up the mountain and camp in a ravine carved by Logan Brook. More Difficult. |
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| July 12: Project #6 - Katahdin - The Hunt Trail -- Rock Steps and Waterbars. Katahdin's Hunt Trail is the final 5 miles of the Appalachian Trail. Climbing the Hunt Spur, the trail suffers from severe erosion. The crew will be building waterbars and steps between Katahdin Falls and "The Cave." Hand tools and Griphoist gear will ge used to gather rocks and put them in the right places. The crew will stay in a Baxter State Park campground and hike up to 3 miles to the worksite each day. Moderate Difficulty. |
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| July 12: Project #7 - Gulf Hagas -- Drainage and Tread Improvements. Gulf Hagas is often called the "Grand Canyon of the East." Walls of stone rise more than 100 feet above the Pleasant River. The crew will be making improvements to drainage and the footpath where it travels along the edge of the canyon. The crew will car-camp and hike up to 2.5 miles to the work sites each day. Moderate Difficulty. |
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| July 19: Project #4 - North Slope of White Cap Mountain -- New trail improvements: Rock Steps. White Cap Mountain is the highest point on the Trail between Bigelow and Katahdin. The open summit offers extraordinary views of the north woods country. The crew will build rock steps just below treeline on the north side of the mountain using rock drills and Griphoist equipment to produce and collect step stones. The crew will backpack 2 miles up the mountain and camp in a ravine carved by Logan Brook. More Difficult. |
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| July 19: Project #6 - Katahdin - The Hunt Trail -- Rock Steps and Waterbars. Katahdin's Hunt Trail is the final 5 miles of the Appalachian Trail. Climbing the Hunt Spur, the trail suffers from severe erosion. The crew will be building waterbars and steps between Katahdin Falls and "The Cave." Hand tools and Griphoist gear will ge used to gather rocks and put them in the right places. The crew will stay in a Baxter State Park campground and hike up to 3 miles to the worksite each day. Moderate Difficulty. |
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| July 19: Project #7 - Gulf Hagas -- Drainage and Tread Improvements. Gulf Hagas is often called the "Grand Canyon of the East." Walls of stone rise more than 100 feet above the Pleasant River. The crew will be making improvements to drainage and the footpath where it travels along the edge of the canyon. The crew will car-camp and hike up to 2.5 miles to the work sites each day. Moderate Difficulty. |
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| July 26: Project #1 - Gulf Hagas Mountain -- New trail improvements: Steps and Waterbars. MTC recently cleared a relocation up the South Face of Gulf Hagas Mountain. The terrain is steep and rugged, and will require stone steps and waterbars to stabilize the trail. The work will involve hand tools such as mattocks, shovels, pry bars and Griphoists to move rocks and shape the footpath. The crew will backpack 3 miles along abandoned logging roads to a streamside campsite, and then hike 1 more mile each day to the project. Moderate Difficulty. |
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| July 26: Project #4 - North Slope of White Cap Mountain -- New trail improvements: Rock Steps. White Cap Mountain is the highest point on the Trail between Bigelow and Katahdin. The open summit offers extraordinary views of the north woods country. The crew will build rock steps just below treeline on the north side of the mountain using rock drills and Griphoist equipment to produce and collect step stones. The crew will backpack 2 miles up the mountain and camp in a ravine carved by Logan Brook. More Difficult. |
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| July 26: Project #7 - Gulf Hagas -- Drainage and Tread Improvements. Gulf Hagas is often called the "Grand Canyon of the East." Walls of stone rise more than 100 feet above the Pleasant River. The crew will be making improvements to drainage and the footpath where it travels along the edge of the canyon. The crew will car-camp and hike up to 2.5 miles to the work sites each day. Moderate Difficulty. |
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| Saturday, Aug. 2: (MATC Kennebec District maintainer scheduled trip) Pierce Pond Shelter -- Move the privy. Kennebec District maintainer Don Stack writes: We will meet in Bingham at 8:30 a.m. that day and then drive and hike into the work site. The work will consist of carrying the materials and tools for the new bin from Harrison's Pierce Pond Camps up to the lean-to site (about 1/4 of a mile), and then assembling this bin before moving the privy from the old bin to the new one. The larger the crew, the fewer trips will have to be made to carry these materials to the work site. Also, if we get a large enough crew, I have another small project: building a short length of bog bridging just a short ways from the shelter. All this work and you get to enjoy the views from the most beautifully located shelter along the entire A.T. in Maine on the shore of Pierce Pond (As you can tell - there is no bias on my part here.). If you can and would like to assist with this project, please contact either Don Stack donstack@sacoriver.net, 11 Patten Farm Rd., Buxton, ME 04093, phone: 207-929-5773 (home) or 207-749-0370 (cell), or contact Kennebec District Overseer Peter Roderick at roderick1027@fairpoint.net. We hope that many can join us for this project, and would certainly enjoy having you come along and, thank you for your consideration and efforts. |
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| August 2: Project #1 - Gulf Hagas Mountain -- New trail improvements: Steps and Waterbars. MTC recently cleared a relocation up the South Face of Gulf Hagas Mountain. The terrain is steep and rugged, and will require stone steps and waterbars to stabilize the trail. The work will involve hand tools such as mattocks, shovels, pry bars and Griphoists to move rocks and shape the footpath. The crew will backpack 3 miles along abandoned logging roads to a streamside campsite, and then hike 1 more mile each day to the project. Moderate Difficulty. |
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| August 2: Project #4 - North Slope of White Cap Mountain -- New trail improvements: Rock Steps. White Cap Mountain is the highest point on the Trail between Bigelow and Katahdin. The open summit offers extraordinary views of the north woods country. The crew will build rock steps just below treeline on the north side of the mountain using rock drills and Griphoist equipment to produce and collect step stones. The crew will backpack 2 miles up the mountain and camp in a ravine carved by Logan Brook. More Difficult. |
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| August 2: Project #7 - Gulf Hagas -- Drainage and Tread Improvements. Gulf Hagas is often called the "Grand Canyon of the East." Walls of stone rise more than 100 feet above the Pleasant River. The crew will be making improvements to drainage and the footpath where it travels along the edge of the canyon. The crew will car-camp and hike up to 2.5 miles to the work sites each day. Moderate Difficulty. |
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| August 9: Project #1 - Gulf Hagas Mountain -- New trail improvements: Steps and Waterbars. MTC recently cleared a relocation up the South Face of Gulf Hagas Mountain. The terrain is steep and rugged, and will require stone steps and waterbars to stabilize the trail. The work will involve hand tools such as mattocks, shovels, pry bars and Griphoists to move rocks and shape the footpath. The crew will backpack 3 miles along abandoned logging roads to a streamside campsite, and then hike 1 more mile each day to the project. Moderate Difficulty. |
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| August 9: Project #4 - North Slope of White Cap Mountain -- New trail improvements: Rock Steps. White Cap Mountain is the highest point on the Trail between Bigelow and Katahdin. The open summit offers extraordinary views of the north woods country. The crew will build rock steps just below treeline on the north side of the mountain using rock drills and Griphoist equipment to produce and collect step stones. The crew will backpack 2 miles up the mountain and camp in a ravine carved by Logan Brook. More Difficult. |
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| August 9: Project #7 - Gulf Hagas -- Drainage and Tread Improvements. Gulf Hagas is often called the "Grand Canyon of the East." Walls of stone rise more than 100 feet above the Pleasant River. The crew will be making improvements to drainage and the footpath where it travels along the edge of the canyon. The crew will car-camp and hike up to 2.5 miles to the work sites each day. Moderate Difficulty. |
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| Sept. 20, 21: (MATC Kennebec District Overseer scheduled trip) Near West Cary Pond -- Lots of bog bridges. Kennebec District Overseer Peter Roderick writes: Dana Thurston and I will be leading a work weekend to install lots of bog bridging near W. Carry Pond. The club has agreed to buy 1,800 linear feet of cedar planks to be used for bog-bridging projects in the Carry Ponds area on Dana's section, as well as on Carey Kish's section and that of Gordon Clarke. If you can join us, that would be great. To sign on, get directions, or have questions answered, contact Roderick at roderick1027@fairpoint.net. |
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The trip leader or crew coordinator can also help with information about the location of the worksite, access, and campsites.
Most trips go rain or shine. If you contact the trip leader, it will be possible to notify you of any cancellations.
Please note: Please be sure to contact the Maine Trail Crew before planning to join the crew, so you know where to meet them. Many project approaches involve using abandoned logging roads and bushwhacks to save time reaching the site instead of hiking in along the A.T.
Maine Trail Crew projects involve construction conditions with hazards from sharp tools, wire rope, and heavy objects. You must bring sturdy boots, long pants, and gloves to wear at the job site. The Crew will provide safety gear such as hard hats and eye protection.
