Learn to See Through the Eyes of a Trail Builder

March 28, 2019
Peter Dolan
New York-New Jersey Trail Conference

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Learn to See Through the Eyes of a Trail Builder

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Whether you're a casual hiker or a long-time volunteer, these hikes are designed to change the way you view trails forever.

We're excited to kick off a new series of guided hikes in 2019 called Eyes of a Trail Builder. Each hike will feature a loop trail that is planned for improvement by volunteer trail crews. Along the hike you'll learn from an experienced trail builder how to spot the trail issues that crew leaders are expected to tackle—as well as learn solutions to those problems. Whether you're a casual hiker or a long-time volunteer, these hikes are designed to change the way you view trails forever.

In addition, for those who "catch the bug" and want to learn more about trail work, each Eyes of a Trail Builder hike will be followed shortly after by a project geared towards beginning trail builders. You'll return to one of the problem spots identified along the hike and work alongside a trail crew to remedy to problem, learning that being a trail builder (or crew leader!) doesn't have to be intimidating. 

Finally, attendees to any Eyes of a Trail Builder event will be invited to the unique opportunity to help plan a trail project for 2020. They'll work alongside professionals to mark reroutes with flagging tape, measure grade with clinometers, drop pin flags at specific work projects, and estimate what timeline and budget would make sense for each component.

Upcoming Eyes of a Trail Builder Workshops

We hope that this series of hikes and workshops provides a fun, easy way for anybody to learn more about the wide world of trail building. To sign up, go to nynjtc.org/events or email [email protected]. We hope to see you there!