The over fifty miles of hiking trails in the South Mountain Conservancy are a work in progress. Over the past several years, additions and amendments to the trail system have been performed.
The Trail Work Crew was created to establish a sustainable trail system in response to the high usage of the park. Many of the existing trails in the Reservation are not “sustainable trails,” meaning that they are eroded from ineffective water dispersion or high-volume use. Such trails require a much higher degree of maintenance than a sustainable trail.
Developing and maintaining a complete system of sustainable trails means replacing some older trails, fixing existing ones, and creating new offshoots to allow users to enjoy more of the Reservation’s remarkable landscape.
Trail construction and restoration is relatively strenuous work involving the use of hand tools such as McLeods (a firefighter’s combination rake, hoe and digging tool), adze hoes, picks, rock bars, and other specialized hand tools used to remove soil, rock, and roots to build a sustainable trailbed.
The Trail Work Crew is appropriate for ages 15 and up, but minors must be accompanied by a guardian. Heavy-soled boots and long pants are recommended. We suggest you bring your own water, snacks, bug repellant, and work gloves.
The Trail Work Crew generally meets the first Sunday every month from April through December from 9:00AM to 12:00 noon to construct new trails and improve existing rails in the Reservation. For more information on specific dates and meeting places see the SMC Events Calendar, or http://www.meetup.com/somocon.
Putting steps in on a re-route of the Lenape trail
Hard at work connecting Painter’s Point to Dogwood Hillside.