I am the trail maintainer for the section of the NY Long Path from Ferguson Road to the Roosa Gap fire tower. Todays hike was really just an inspection hike, checking to see if there were any problem issues with the trail. I parked at the fire tower and hiked southbound. What I found was a trail in excellent condition. Just after the trail makes a sharp turn (left turn going southbound) I came across a blowdown that had been cleared earlier and the section cut out was used as a bench. The bench just happens to be at a place on the trail where a rest would be welcome and as a bonus, it has a great view. Everything looked great until I came across a tree blown down across the trail. It was blocking the entire trail and being on a very steep section there was no easy way to go around it. I didn’t have a saw with me ( I accidently left them back in my truck) so I used my pruners to remove as many of the small branches as I could so the trail was at least passable. Not perfect but passable. So it was back uphill to the truck. On this very hot day, I hiked down the trail until I cane upon the blowdown in 45 minutes but the hike back up took me 1-1/2 hr. I took my time, anywhere there was shade I took long breaks and drank a whole lot of water. Back at the truck I cleaned up the suroundings (two buckets full. Ugh) and drove down to Ferguson Road. From there I hiked north about 100 yards to find the blowdown. Once there, I got busy clearing the tree using only my seven inch pocket saw. Ok my entire section is clear and ready for all hikers/runners.
It’s great being a trail maintainer, I love it and highly recommend it.
Interested? Contact me to learn how to become a trail maintainer or trail crew member.It’s great being a trail maintainer, I love it and highly recommend it.
Interested? Contact me to learn how to become a trail maintainer or trail crew member.
