Trail Maintenance

Trail Workdays

Please consider joining in on one of our scheduled trail workdays. See our Events page for upcoming dates.

Trail Adoption

Interested in adopting a trail? Then consider joining our Wapack Section Captains program.  There are 21 trail sections, which includes 6 side trails. Section Captains are responsible for basic trail maintenance on their sections including:

  • Drainage:  Clean all drainage structures such as waterbars and trenches of dirt, leaves and debris.
  • Clearing and Defining: Trim brush and tree limbs, and remove fallen trees and debris to keep the trail open and well defined. We have trained trail crew members who will remove large fallen trees and help with other tasks. You only need do what you are comfortable doing.
  • Blazing: Paint blazes on to trees and maintain cairns along your section.
  • Reports: Section Captains submit two reports per year: a Spring trail inventory report, and an end of year trail work report.

For more information and to learn about what sections are available for adoption, please send an email to info@wapack.org. Let us know if you have a preference.

Trail Maintenance Documents

Spring Trail Conditions Report Form (Doc) – (PDF)
Report filed by Section Captains after completing a Spring Inventory of their adopted trail section.

Fall Trail Work Report Form (Doc) – (PDF)
Report filed by Section Captains in late fall, detailing the work done on their adopted trail section for the year.

Maintenance Guidelines (PDF)
These Trail Maintenance Guidelines provide basic advice on best practices for trail maintenance for our Section Captain trail adopters, and all trail crew volunteers.
Spring Trail Patrol and Inventory (PDF)
Each spring, our Section Captain trail adopters check their sections for winter damage. This document provides pointers on things to look for while assessing the condition of the trail.
Sign Construction Guidelines (PDF)
Sign construction guidelines for Wapack Trail signs. Provided by our sign maker, Don Ray of Fitzwilliam, NH.

Recommended Trail Maintenance Guides

Appalachian Trail Fieldbook, Maintenance and Rehabilitation Guidelines for Volunteers
Second Edition. Appalachian Trails Conference.
Covers all the basics the trail worker needs to know in a clear, short format with good illustrations, wire bound, and easy to carry. (Available from the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.)
AMC’s Complete Guide to Trail Building and Maintenance
Fourth Edition. by the staff of the Appalachian Mountain Club’s Trails Department.
All the essentials covered in detail. (Available from major book sellers and the AMC.)
State of NH Trails Bureau – Best Management Practices for Erosion Control During Trail Maintenance and Construction