TRAILS:

P AST , PRESENT, and FUTURE

SUMMER PROGRAMS

During the months of luly and August a

series of programs will be presented by

the Club. There will be two daytime

outdoor programs, two illustrated talks on

aspects of wildlife, and a folk concert.

The first program, an illustrated lecture,"The Return of the Common Loon, " will

take place in the Wonalancet Union

Chapel on luly 9 at 7:00 P.M. loin Jim

Doyle, from the Loon Preservation

Committee (LPC), for an entertaining

slide show on the life history of the

common loon. Since 1975, LPC has been

working to restore the loon to New

Hampshire where it is listed as a

threatened species. The presentation will

highlight the negative pressures loons

face, and LPC's efforts to minimize those

threats. There will be plenty of time

afterwards to ask your favorite loon

question such as, "Why are their eyes

red?" or "Do loons mate for life?"

Jim is a resident of Wonalancet and

actively involved with the WODC, and a

member of the Executive Committee. He

has worked for LPC for the last two

years, currently serving as its Director.

Jim's previous experiences include

working for the Audubon Society of New

Hampshire as their Sanctuaries Manager ,

(CAJIlUnued -Pap 1)

As we begin another season of trailmaintenance, it's valuable to considersome of the basic issues which underlieour efforts. What are our goals? Is trailwork really needed, and why? Whenshould the work be done? Do someproblems require urgent action, or can wetake a wait-and-see approach? Who willperform this work, how much will it cost,and where will the dollars come from?Has trail maintenance changed over the

years?

The First 70 Years

When the first WODC trails werecleared around 1892, it was difficult toreach any of the peaks we now visit soreadily. Although lumber roads providedpartial access, it still requiredconsiderable effort to open trails and keepthem clear of the blowdowns and newgrowth which appears so readily on ourNew England hills. Trail use was verylight by today's standards, so light in fact,that groups of "trampers" were recruitedto tramp down the brush.

The need for trampers reflects the factthat early trails were largely covered inherbaceous growth, whose roots bind thetopsoil together and keep it from eroding.Some of our less used trails, like theWonalancet Range and Cabin Trails, stillcontain sections of undisturbed topsoil.Early trails also benefitted from the use ofsmooth-soled leather boots, which didlittle damage to the soil surface.

The primary goal of early trail builderswas to improve access to the mountains.Their techniques ranged from theambitious bridle paths of the Presidentialsto the simple ladders and steps of our ownBlueberry Ledge Trail.

The Backpacking Boom

The 1960's and 1970's saw anenormous increase in the number ofhikers in the mountains, including theSandwich Range. Over 6,000 people nowhike the Blueberry Ledge trail every year ,about a 100-fold increase in 100 years.The increase has come about partly as aresult of cultural trends, but is also related

to light weight hiking gear, especially thelugged-sole hiking boot. The new solesprovide improved traction on manysurfaces. Unfortunately, while grippingwell, the lugged-sole also chums up soiland tears at roots, leaving trails vulnerableto erosion.

On many trails, erosion combined withsoil compaction makes the center of thetrail slightly lower than edges, causingwater to run down the trail itself, ratherthan draining off the side. This situation ismore pronounced on trails that follow oldroad depressions, such as sections of theDicey's Mill Trail. In the early stages thisis simply an annoyance to hikers, but asthe problem worsens it also accelerates,and the result can be devastating erosion,in places several feet deep.

Some routes, such as the Walden andthe Wiggin Trails, have special problems.Early trail builders were trying to finddirect routes up the mountains; the trailsoften went steeply up erodible slopesrather than traversing in a manner thatmakes them easier to drain and protectfrom erosion.

The Evolution of Trail Maintenance

At its founding, the primary goal ofWODC was to open new trails and tokeep them clear .The relatively light usageresulted in few drainage or erosionproblems. Early trail workers concentratedon clearing brush, blowdowns, andblazing the route. This work was oftencarried out during the summer months byone or two people paid by the Club. Muchwork was also performed by volunteers,which was formalized in the 1970's withthe creation of the WMNF Adopt-A- Trailprogram. With the support and guidanceof WODC, volunteer adopters continue toclear trails. They set an excellent exampleof what can be accomplished by dedicatedvolunteers.

As use of WODC trails increased, sodid the realization that more attentionshould be paid to growing erosionproblems. Due to the heavy, time

(~ ,",pa.,s.)A w~ resto~ trail is durable and I~ unooOCedby the passing hiker .Random nICk steps on the

B81Dett Street Trail. (SRCA, '94)

participate in either the archaeologicalfield trip or the hike along the BrookTrail, make reseIVations in advance. Forfurther information on any of the aboveevents, phone Susan Korpi at 323-8767,Barbara Sidleyat 323-8694, or Sally Zinkat 323-8693.

Caring for the Sandwich Range since 1892

11Ie Newsletter is published twice eIK:h year by theWonalancet Out Door Club. 11Ie mailing addn!88is:

~~

WODC

Newsktter Editor

WonaJaocet, NH 03897

The Editor ~ourag~ m-bers and inte~readers to submit material to use in future Msu~.

ArtM:I~, plltm8, drawings, commMts, c~ms,suggestions, are welcomed.

~~~~

WODC PATCH AVAILABLE

Our energetic and enthusiastic TrailsCommittee, with support of the ExecutiveCommittee, has designed and created aWODC patch. It is a compact 2"x3" sizeto fit easily on a pack, shirt, or cap. Itfeatures attractive blue and greenembroidery on a white background.

You can purchase a patch by using the

Order Form enclosed, or by sending

$3.00 per patch to WODC Member

Services, Wonalancet, NH 03897.

SUMMER PROGRAMS

(Continued -Pap I)

running a bison ranch in North Dakota forthe Nature Conservancy, and working asa door to door salesman.

On July 22 Dr .Vinton Thompson willspeak on the topic, "Comparing Insects:Wildlife in Wonalancet and SouthernCosta Rica. " The presentation will be

held in the Wonalancet Union Chapel at7:30 P.M.

Vinton Thompson has vacationed inWonalancet for many years; his familyowns a summer cottage in the Intervale.He is a nephew of Nancy and StanleyCoville. Dr. Thompson is a graduate ofHarvard University in biology, andobtained a Doctorate in Genetics at theUniversity of Chicago. Currently, heserves as Chairman of the Department ofScience at Roosevelt University in

Chicago.

He has recently returned from GreatBritain where he delivered a lecture at theBritish Museum on the subject, "SpittleBugs of Costa Rica. "

On August 4, Susan Korpi willIead awalk for children ages 5-10 along theWODC Brook Path. Adults will bewelcomed. Bring lunches. The walk willstart at 11 :00 A.M. Meet at the trailhead,which is across Route 113A from theCabin and Big Rock Cave trailhead,located about Ih. mile east of Wonalancet

Chapel.

Susan is a resident of Wonalancet, andis well known to all in the Intervale.Susan and her husband, Roger, both serve

on the WODC Executive Committee, andhave served as adopters of the Brook Pathfor several years.

On August 11, beginning at 9:00 A.M.,Karl Roenke, Ranger on the WhiteMountain National Forest, will lead anarchaeological field trip, "DocumentingHistorical Resources on the MountainRoad. " The objective of the trip will be to

search the forest on both sides of theMcCrillis Path for remains of the 18th and19th century farms which existed on theOld Mountain Road connecting Sandwichand Albany.

Karl is a graduate of Hartwick College,and holds an MS degree in Anthropologyand Archaeology from the University ofIdaho. He was been with the US ForestService for 16 years, 8 years at theClearwater Forest in Idaho, and eight onWMNF. He is responsible for prehistoricand historic sites, and site management,within the Forest.

Meet near the kiosk on Ferncroft Roadat 9:00 A.M. Bring lunches, cameras,and measuring tapes.

At 3:00 P.M. on August 26, folksingersPeg Loughran and Taylor Whitesideswill present an afternoon of music. Theconcert will be held in the WonalancetChapel Grove. You may wish to bringfolding chairs.

This will be a repeat of a program heldabout 12 years ago in which Peg andTaylor entertained Club members andtheir guests -a memorable occasion.Both Peg and Taylor are longtime friendsof the Club. Peg has vacationed in thearea for many years; both her parentswere WODC officers. She has appearedin many concerts throughout NewEngland, in Montana, and the State ofWashington. A critic comments: "PegLoughran's artistry glows in the round,warm quality of her voice, her pristineguitar playing and the depth of hersongwriting. "

Taylor Whitesides at one time lived inthe Intervale, and has many friends here.He moved to the Portsmouth area a dozenyears ago. He has performed throughoutNew England as an individual, and withseveral groups, including the "NortheastWinds. "

Although not required, it isrecommended that anyone wishing to

WHO IS KATE SLEEPER?

Wonalancet has likewise a central

figure in its story whose hand almost

fashioned its very fabric. A mere

hardworking woman would not

ordinarily have had so profound aneffect on her surroundings, but it

must be remembered of Kate Sleeperthat since Bradbury Jewell she was

practically the first outsider of either

sex when she settled in this pocket

of the hills in 1890, as well as the

first inhabitant with a talent for

organizing, and further, that she was

a woman of exceptional charm and

originality no matter in what society

she might be placed.

Wonalaocet Fann cin:a 1910

In August Kate found the farm shewanted. It was the property of the earlysettler Theophilous Brown, a few yardssouth of the same brook that flowedthrough Bradbury Jewell's front yard. Thefarm was large, over 600 acres, mostlytimbered, but with about 100 acres inopen fields. Kate called her purchase"Wonalancet Farm," the name by whichit is still known. The main house was builtin 1814, a date carved in the living room

fireplace chimney.

Wonalancet Farm and the inn sheplanned were too much for her to operate.Eager but inexperienced, she knew littleabout running either a farm or inn. Kateasked her young friend and relative bymarriage, Arthur Walden, then nineteen,to help her by taking charge of the farm,which he agreed to do.

During the winter of 1890-1891 sherenovated and refurbished the main house.By this time neighbors had come to knowKate; her charm and vitality inspired bothaffection and action. As the snow meltedfrom the front yard of the Farmhouse thatspring, piles of rubbish appeared -oldboards and other building materialsdiscarded by the carpenters whilerenovating. Without the slightestsuggestion from Kate, her neighborspitched in and cleaned up the yard.

Kate's appearance belied her courageand determination. She was small -"shecouldn't have been five feet tall," -

slight, blond, with deep blue eyes, and ahigh-pitched voice. Though these physicaltraits may not appear impressive, she wasattractive, sociable, sincere, anddetermined. One of her biographersreveals Kate's leadership mode in this

MarJory GaD. ~kn-

Katherine (Kate) Sleeper was born in

the greater Boston area in 1862, the only

child of Charles F. Sleeper and Zilpha

Thomas. Her grandfather, John Sleeper,

was a prominent Bostonian of a varied

and interesting background: born in

Tyngsboro, Massachusetts, a sailor at theage of 15 and Captain of a ship by 28, the

editor of the Boston Journal, a writer of

children 's books, mayor of Roxbury , and

a State Senator. After the death of Zilpha

in 1872, when Kate was just ten years

old, she and her father moved to his

parents' home in Roxbury .Not much is

known of her early years, except that she

was reared in a loving family, with many

cousins. She was well educated, and as a

young woman entered fully into

community activities. As a young adult

she took French lessons at the Berlitz

School, music lessons, and exercised

regularly 'at an athletic club for women.

Later, she tried her hand as a newspaper

reporter .

Wonalancet Fann:

Kate knew the Chocorua section of

Tamworth, where she visited both friendsand relatives. I It was in 1890 while

convalescing at Lucy Blake's boarding

house on Gardner Hill Road in Tamworth

that she decided to open a country inn.

But where? To find an answer, she began

searching the surrounding countryside

from the seat of a carriage. On one of

these drives she viewed Birch Intervale

and immediately fell in love with the spot.

As she got down from the carriage she

announced, "This is where I'm going to

live."

significant statement," All her life shepossessed the rare quality of inspiringothers to want what she wanted. "

Wonalancet Union Chapel:

Residents had built Wonalancet Chapelin 1880, ten years before Kate's arrival.The Chapel was on land owned by theCurrier family, of timber grown on theadjacent mountain slopes, sawn at the millthen operating near the present kiosk offFemcroft Road, and raised by the labor oflocal farmers. Used frequently byresidents as a house of worship, theChapel was undedicated, unincorporated,and of no specific denomination.

Early in June 1891, two of Kate's guestsat the Farm were Reverend TreadwellWalden and his wife. At breakfast thatSunday morning, Kate asked ReverendWalden, Rector ofSt. Paul's Cathedral inBoston, to conduct a service in the Chapelthat afternoon. Following a brief visit tothe Chapel, Reverend Walden agreed.Notice was spread by word of mouththroughout the Intervale, and at fouro'clock the service was held. 10 Kate'swords:

There was a surprising audience. As aresult the community insisted that thechurch be the recipient of a deed fromthe Curriers, which had been longpromised, and which was made, andthe Wonalancet Corporation wasformed to provide for the WonalancetUnion Chapel.

Incorporation of the Chapel wasaccomplished in 1893. It is non-denominational, and its object thepromotion of religion. Kate's interest inthe Chapel was unending: in 1896 the first

Katherine ~eeper Walden.Note key hanging from her w-.

Out Door Club, all traceable to the visionof Kate Sleeper .

Postoffice and Marriage:

A United States Postoffice wasestablished in 1893, with Kate the firstpostmaster. Postal authorities, fearingconfusion with an office named Intervalejust above North Conway, urged a namechange. Thus, Birch Intervale wasrenamed Wonalancet.

In 1902 Katherine Sleeper and Arthur T .Walden were married. (See "Who isArthur Walden?" in the November 1994Newsletter. )

~ation of the Bowl:

As early as the 1880's there wasgrowing concern throughout the State ofNew Hampshire concerning the future ofthe forests. Greed and ignorance,exemplified by the "timber barons" andsupported by an expanding railroadindustry , were creating a wasteland of theforests. Vast forest fires were readilyignited by sparks and hot coals spewedout by the railroad engines, and fed bydowned tree tops and other slash fromtimbering. Fires raged for days, and thebillows of smoke were viewed with alarm;dust and smoke restricted visibility. Rapidwater run-off from rain and melting snowbrought on spring floods, and producedlow water levels throughout the summer

tower and bell were added; in 1936 thestructure was remodeled, and the presenttower, dedicated to Kate, was built.Appropriately, Arthur Walden and Kateare interred close to the northeast comerof the building.

Wonalancet Out Door Club:

Another Wonalancet institution had itsbeginnings that summer of 1891. InAugust, two of her guests wereAppalachian Mountain Club officers:Charles E. Fay, four times AMCPresident, and Councillor William Ladd.Kate Sleeper, "ever mindful of theinterests of those with whom she had casther lot, had come to the conclusion thatBirch Intervale could improve itscondition by becoming more attractive tosummer visitors, and invited the AMCmembers to talk with landowners at herFarm. " In the words of Fay,

Such an opportunity to domissionary work for the Club idea wasnot to be lost. Mr. Ladd clearly setforth what had been done elsewhere,leaving it to me to show what thefarmers of Birch Intervale might do:first, to make it the easy point ofdeparture for visitors toPassaconaway, then to resolvethemselves into a local association fornew improvements and themaintenance of old ones. ..

Note that Fay and Ladd met with thefarmers of the Intervale at the invitationof Kate Sleeper, they were doingmissionary work for the Club idea, andsuggested the farmers might form a localassociation.

The earliest By-Laws are quite specificabout the economic motivation of formingan outdoor club.

Its purpose shall be the building andmaintenance of paths, to improve theplace and develop its natural beautiesfor the attraction of summer guests.

Apparently the suggestions of Ladd andFay were embraced immediately, for inthe January 1892 Appalachia there is afull description of the trail that thefarmers and the two AMC missionariescut several days after the meeting atWonalancet Farm. The trail led to thepeak of Mt. Passaconaway; a trail nowcalled the Dicey's Mill Trail. Such werethe simple beginnings of the Wonalancet

and fall. Voicing these concerns, the 1908WODC Guide to the Paths and TraiLr ofthe Sandwich Range states,

The trains of logs that daily run to thehuge mill at Conway lead us all tohope that Congress will pass theForest Reserve Bill.

Congress enacted a Forest Reserve Bill,the Weeks Act, in 1911. It was anenabling act, allowing Federal purchase ofprivate lands to create National Forests.At once a second stage of political actionfollowed. What lands were to be part ofthe new White Mountain National Forest?Of primary concern to residents andvisitors to Wonalancet was preservation ofthe forest lying north of the Intervale,most important, the area known then andnow as the Bowl.

Kate Walden in 1914, learning that alogging operation was about to take placein and surrounding the Bowl, on her owninitiative conferred with Louis Tainter ,President of the Publishers PaperCompany, the company that owned thearea. With tact and determination, sheconvinced Tainter to give her an option atfifty thousand dollars on three thousandacres in and surrounding the Bowl. Theysigned an agreement. (See "Who IsTainter?" in the May 1994 Newsletter.)

In furtherance of this objective, sixteenClub members attended a White MountainForest Conference meeting in Gorham inluly of 1914 to urge support for theaddition of the Bowl and adjacent land tothe National Forest. The delegationspokesmen were Edgar 1. Rich, KateWalden, and Miss Marjorie Gane. EdgarRich told the conferees how Kate Sleeperhad gotten an option on the Bowl.

A few months later, in September ,sections of the Wonalancet forest wereadded to the WMNF without exercisingKate's option. In passage of the WeeksAct and the inclusion of the SandwichRange within the boundaries of WMNF ,WODC's role was small but significant;it was but one voice in a powerful chorus.

Other Leadership Activiti~:

Within the space available one can onlygive a sampling of Kate's accomplish-ments. She organized a festival in 1914 tocelebrate the centennial of her farmhouseand the recent passage of the Weeks Act.This was a big affair, with a parade

~

featuring almost every personin the Intervale, severalappearing as Indians. DuringWorld War I she organizedthe women of the Intervale inthe preparation of surgicaldressings and clothing forsuffering people in Europe. ,For this good work, a :decoration came to her from Ithe French Government.

Her leadership rolecontinued during the 1930's;but the great Depression tookits toll. As the number ofguests at the Farmdiminished, so did the financial resourcesof its owners. Milton and Eva Seeleypurchased the Chinook Kennels. Finally,Kate and Arthur decided to retire frominnkeeping; they leased the Farmhouse toothers.

Arthur and Kate's life together ended inthe winter of 1947, with a house fire thatdestroyed their home, and in whichArthur died. Kate never fully recovered,though she lived for two years, untilMarch of 1949.

Today, only two or three residents whoknew Kate are living; all recall her withaffection. Her name will not easily die.As long as there are lovers of thesemountains, her name will be remembered:Mount Katherine, East Sleeper, WestSleeper, and the Kate Sleeper Trail.

Geol'8e E. ZiDk

w~ Crane or SRCA piac~ rock cribbiDl to n!8torean erod~ s«tiOD or Bellnett ~ Trail

sections of trail were entirely abandonedin favor of a new route, or relocation.The frequent use of relocation for trailproblems is partly a response to trails thatwere poorly laid out in the first place.Relocation must be very carefullyconsidered, however, lest the new route,usually on similar soils, suffers the samefate as the original. To many people,relocation is rejected because it requiresabandonment of a route, and perhaps anabdication of our responsibility asstewards. The preferred alternative is torestore the trail to a stable, functional,condition, even though this can be verytime consuming and expensive. A visit tothe Walden Trail above the East Loop willreveal just how extensive trail damage canbe.

While many trails need restoration, it'sequally important to prevent such damagefrom occurring. The crews Qf WODC,SRCA, AMC, and USFS employ anumber of preventive measures, mostfrequently the construction of strategicallyplaced waterbars. Constructed of logs, orpreferably stone, a waterbar serves tocarry water off the trail before it cancause damage. In order to reduce thelength of flow along the trail, bars mustbe placed at frequent intervals. On theDicey's Mill Trail alone, nearly 200 waterbars have been installed, and more areneeded. Once built, waterbars must bemaintained yearly. If the accumulatedleaves, soil, and gravel aren't clearedfrom the channel behind the bar, waterwill continue its previous course down thetrail. Other measures are also used toprevent or delay erosion, such as theinstallation of soil retainers, commonlyperceived as steps. Retainers and water

bars are best used incombination, and afford goodprotection for s~p, poorlydrained trails.

Some trails cross muddyareas, and when hikers seeka drier route they oftenenlarge the very area theyare avoiding. The trail couldbe relocated, but it canusually be restored bysuitable drainage, rockstepping-stones, and proper

routing.

Another hazard to hikingtrails is the blowdown, or

fallen tree. Often viewed primarily as aninconvenience to hikers, blowdowns aresometimes left in place, particularly inremote or Wilderness areas. This practicemust be carefully considered, sinceblowdowns can also cause trail wideningas hikers seek a route around them. Manytrail problems can be avoided by propertreadway definition and good blazing,which provide a subtle, but inviting routefor the hiker.

These fewexamples illustrate how easilyhuman use can damage the forestenvironment. Some will even argue thatthere should be no maintained trails inWilderness areas, but when wellestablished, the trail serves as a valuablesacrifice rone that allows human use withminimal impact.

This account is far from acomprehensive history of foot paths andtrail maintenance, but it serves toilluminate the challenges facing all trailscrews.

Addressing Today's Challenges

In recent years the WODC has workedcooperatively with such diverse groups asthe Department of Corrections ShockIncarceration Unit, the ChocoruaMountain Club, and Trailwrights, as wellas the groups mentioned earlier. We'vealso developed our own volun~r trailcrew, which has tackled a wide range ofprojects that otherwise would haverequired professional help. While some ofthese collaborations continue, others, likethe Shock crew, have been sporadic dueto factors beyond our control. Even theUSFS, official custodian of these trails,suffers from erratic budgeting and is

(c &.xn ,.., I)

Trails: Past, Present, & Future

consuming, and technical work, a numberof professional trail crews were utilized,including the US Forest Service, theAppalachian Mountain Club (AMC), andthe Sandwich Range ConservationAssociation (SRCA). Cooperative fundingfrom several sources made it possible todispatch a crew to work on predeterminedproblems each year .

Erosion is the major problem on ourtrails, and the major thrust of professionaltrail work has been restoring the resultingdamage and improving drainage toprevent further deterioration. In extremecases, such as upper Dicey's Mill Trail,the damage was so far advanced that some

increasingly dependent on otherorganizations for trail maintenance.

A very hopeful note this year is theAmeriCorps program. This 40 personcrew is assigned to the WMNF for ayearlong program of public service. Theywill be performing a wide range of taskswithin the WMNF, including work onhiking trails. Early contacts indicate thisis a highly motivated and energetic group,and we are hopeful that they will assist anumber of our projocts with crews of 4-5people. Plans are also underway for joint

our experience that it is vital to have askilled professional crew availableannually to tackle significant restorationand repair projects. This work isexpensive. While we expect ourappropriation to be supplemented by theUSFS and perhaps other sources, fundinguncertainties make it difficult toimplement a dependable, long term trailmaintenance strategy. We discovered twoyears ago just how precarious things canbe, when the withdrawal of support fromone WMNF district caused cancellation of

Encouraging grants from otherorganizations. A donation from theWhite Sylvania Trust in 1994supplemented the $1,100 WODCappropriation. Other potential trusts andsponsors are being pursued for thisseason.

Establishing a Trail Trust Fund. Aspecial trust fund dedicated to longtermtrail maintenance would provide avehicle for soliciting donations andbequests of all sizes.

Providing the opportunity for publicsupport through a donation box attrailheads. While memberships anddonations have grown considerably inrecent years, members represent only afew percent of the people hiking inWonalancet. Donation boxes mightprovide significant revenue by making iteasier for a larger number of hikers tocontribute. Donation boxes are beingused by: the WMNF at campgrounds,the Audubon Society, and the TamworthOuting Club.

As we evaluate specific fundraisingalternatives, we must consider how thesemight be perceived by members. Whoshould evaluate the options and make thedecisions? Is this the proper function ofthe Trails Committee, or the ExecutiveCommittee? Might it best be handled by aseparate fundraising or developmentcommittee? Might Club members prefer tocontinue funding trail work strictly frommembership dues?

The Trails and Executive Committeeswelcome your comments, and invite theparticipation of all members in these vitalISSUes.

Peter Smart

Tin Mountain ComervatioD Cmter Explorej

overnight projects, such as on KateSleeper Trail, where they can help packtools and even water to the remoteworksite and campsite.

We have worked with the Saco RangerDistrict to earmark $4,500 of USFS fundsfor SRCA work on WODC trails thisyear. Along with $1, 700 budgeted byWODC, this will allow SRCA tocomplete a significant amount ofrestoration and drainage work on theBlueberry Ledge and possibly Dicey'sMill Trails. Heavy use of these trailsmakes it important that we addressproblems before they become moreserious and expensive to correct.

Finding the Right Balance

Much trail maintenance is beingaccomplished by volunteer efforts, andthrough partnerships outlined above.While coordinating these diverseresources is rewarding, it does entail aconsiderable investment of time andenergy to keep pace with the changinglandscape of trail resources. It has been

AMC HUT PERMITS

The Appalachian Mountain Club's 30year federal permit to provide recreationaland educational opportunities at its sevenhuts and the Pinkham Notch VisitorCenter in the WMNF expires in October.The U .S. Forest Service (USFS) isresponsible for updating the permit.

At press time, the AMC was waiting tofind out what the USFS will need to beginthe decision-making process. "The ForestService operates under more complexrules and processes than it did in 1965,"

'S digging drainage ditch on Old Mast Road

the entire SRCA crew.

WODC's recent growth in membershipand contributions has already resulted inan increased trails budget. While ourcontribution is still a small part ofSRCA 's total budget, it indicates ourcommitment to the SRCA. The TrailsCommittee recommends that we continueto expand our budget for professional trailwork.

Funding Options

Although the 1995 season hasn't begun,we find ourselves looking to 1996 andbeyond. The reliability of professionaltrail work is dependent on the level offunding that WODC is able to provide.The high cost and overhead of directlyhiring even a small crew is prohibitive, sosupporting cooperative efforts like SRCAis essential. To insure an adequate level offunding, the Trails Committee isconsidering other methods and sources offinancial support to supplement theexisting WODC dues-based revenue.Among the options being considered are:

says Mike Torrey, AMC facilitiesdirector. "We're still not sure what willbe required of us, but we're trying to beprepared for even the most complex, andcostly possibilities. " Though the AMC

may need to gather data about its work,Torrey is optimistic about the future ofPinkham, which celebrates its 75thanniversary this June, and the huts.

"I fully expect the AMC to continue tooperate its huts in the White Mountains,and I'm confident the process will yield anumber of improvements, " says Torrey,

who is working full-time on repermitting." Although the decision-making is out of

our hands, we feel confident becausewe're standing on a record of

1995 Trail Calendar

May 6 Joint project with AMC Wonalancet Cabin clearing drainage andblow -downs on the Gleason & Bennett Street Trails. A festivedinner will followat the AMC Cabin.

May 13 While not an official WODC activity, Chocorua Mountain Club'sAnnual Trails Day is a great chance to help out a sister trail club andenjoy a great meal too. Pick your own project, such as clearingblowdowns from the Whitin Brook Trail.

May 26-29 Celebrate National Trails Day with this back country overnight onKate Sleeper Trail. We plan to clear blowdowns, correct erosionproblems, and install new waterbars. Guaranteed to be an exciting trip,and a great chance to meet the AmeriCorps volunteers who'll behelping us.

stewardship, education, public service,and commitment. "

The Forest Service routinely grants andrenews permits to work on public land,whether to harvest trees, run a ski area,or provide other recreationalopportunities. Its decisions are guided byfederal laws including the National Forest

Management Act, Endangered SpeciesAct, National Environmental Policy Act,and many others. Chuck Myers, deputysuperintendent of the WMNF, says it'stoo early to predict which of these couldplaya part in the renewal of the AMC

permit.

..We're open to whatever process theForest Service needs to use, " Torrey says.

..The more we learn from our guests andother forest visitors, the better partner wecan be to the National Forest. "

In 1993 the AMC generated $3.4 millionfrom income-producing activities inWMNF. It spent $4.2 million in itsoperations and programs in the forest, notincluding the value of volunteer hours.Those expenses, which help coverservices for the estimated 7 million peoplewho visit the Forest every year, otherwisewould need to be paid by taxes. Thecurrent permit recognizes thesecontributions, and the Forest Servicewaives the fee organizations normally arerequired to pay to run facilities on publicland. But some critics charge that theAMC should pay these fees, which wouldamount to about $60,000 per year. Othercritics, angered by the AMC's activism inenvironmental issues, says new permitsshould restrict education and advocacyactivities in the huts and at Pinkham. Anda few say the organization is trashing theWMNF , even though overnight guests inAMC facilities account for less than 1percent of total use in the national forest.

Education is inseparable from theservices the AM C has provided in theWhite Mountains for more than 100 years.Torrey says, ..We're trying to introducepeople to the outdoors ...and we firmlybelieve that feeds a long-term conservationethic that benefits all of society ."

Reprin~ with pe~OD from AMC Outdoors

June 17

July 1-4

July IS

Blazing and drainage work on the Blueberry Ledge Cutoff. Thisnearby project is a great opportunity for those looking for a lessstrenuous trip, or for a half-day.

Treadway repair on Kelley Trail, with help from SRCA and/orAmeriCorps. A convenient opportunity to see various tools andtechniques at work. Join us for the weekend or an afternoon.Volunteers are also needed to help with supplies.

NH Trails Day: Clear waterbars on Dicey's Mill Trail. Depending onturnout, we'll also address drainage problems on the lower part of thetrail. The Annual WODC Barbecue will followat 6 PM at the homeof Barbara and Ted Sidley.

Aug 5-6

Aug 20

Aug 26

Sept 9

Sept 23

Oct 14

Repair waterbars and steps on the Lawrence Trail. Also a greatchance to explore the many hidden features of this remote area.

4:00 Trails presentation at Wonalancet Chapel.5:30 Potluck supper at Wonalancet Chapel.7:00 WODC Annual Meeting

Drainage and rock work on Bickford Trail with Chocorua MountainClub. Potluck supper to follow at George and Sally Zink's.

Drainage work and trail hardening on upper Brook Path. If your timeis limited, easy access makes this a great project for a half day.

Rock work on Kelley or Bickford Trail with Trailwrights. We'llshare special tools and techniques that make this heavy work go morequickly. Pizza to follow.

Close out the season by installing waterbars on Big Rock Cave Trail,Cabin Trail or Old Mast Road. (Specific project depends on whatgets done earlier in the season. )

1995 TRAIL CALENDAR

Although the Trail Calendar on page 7provides sufficient information for thosewho regularly attend work sessions, itdoes not emphasize how eager we are tohave others join us. Volunteers of allinterests, ages, abilities, and vigors, areencouraged to participate in these events.Though scheduled as work trips, you willnot be expected to do the heaviest andgrubbiest labor. You need not spend a fullday; you are welcome to join for an houror two, or as long as you wish. It's anexcellent opportunity to meet othermembers. We urge your participation.

Fullday volunteers should be ready toleave the respective trailbead at 8:30A.M. Arrive early to allow time forplanning and the distribution of tools. Ifyou arrive late, please hike up the trail tothe work site. Bring lunch and plenty ofwater. For additional details call PeterSmart at 603-323-8666.

Adopters will be pleased to know that aspecial set of tools is now available at alocation very convenient to the Femcrofttrailbead. We'll be sending details to alladopters in a separate mailing this spring.

Volunteers are needed at the trailbeadsprior to each trip, and for a brief periodafter the workers depart, to direct latecomers to the scene of the day's work. Tovolunteer for this chore, phone GeorgeZiok at 323-8693 or Ralph Weymouth at323-8201.

A PERSONAL EXPERIENCE

CMC aDd WODC volunteers woB

and extra clothes. We also brought water

bottles and a first aid kit.

Now I'll tell you about what our

campsite was like. It had a good cooking

area because it was flat and there werelots of flat stones to put the stoves on. It

was also a good place because it was a

little bit of a muddy spot. Later, when it

rained, it would wash all footprints and

other signs we'd been there away. Also,

nearby there was a stream with muddy but

filterable water. There were a bunch of

boulders close by too. They were great

for climbing. That's what I did in free

time when I wasn't reading. gjm!!l

I almost forgot! The people I went with

on the trip were: Evelyn MacKinnon,

Fred Lavigne, Judy Reardon, Peter Smart,

Chris Conrod, and Roger Sorlien. (Ed:

Volunteer Wayne Allen departed just

before Rachael's arrival.)

One day I went ahead on the trail and

read while everyone else cleared. I totally

covered myself with ~ bug net. As I

was reading two men came along. (Ed:

John & David Mersfelder). They were

surprised to see me just reading. I would

have been surprised if I were them too!

On our last day my Dad and I decided

to hike up Passaconaway ahead of the

others because we had to set out for home

soon. So we hiked up, and on the way,

while my Dad cleared a ~ trees I went

ahead to see the view, and guess what I

found on the nQ!!b side of the mountain?

A patch of snow! It was a very hot day

and it felt good to stick my head right into

it. It was great! After I dunked my head

Editor's nOte: ID June of 1994 aght WODCvohmteers c~ebra!M National Tram Day bySlM!l1ding thn!e days clearing the Walden Trail.Among the vohmteers was ten year old Rach~Sorlien, whose personal account of her adventurefonows.

Late last Spring we went on the Walden

Trail to clear off the path. It was hard

work, but fun too. I had to clip branches,

throw them to the side of the trail, and

see if there were any big logs on the trail

ahead. It was tiring! I fell asleep right

away at night.

Some of the things we needed to clear

the trail were bow saws, axes, large

clippers and small clippers. Some other

supplies we needed were tents, sleeping

bags, water filters, dried food, and trail

mix. I brought a book, stove, bug nets,

ing on Whitin Brook Trail in 1994

in the snow I took a handful and wentback to my Dad. I said, "Dad, guess whatI have?" and I was about to throw it athim but I dro~~ it. So I told him whatI had, and went back to get more. I threw~ at him. He said it felt great!

When we got back to camp to pack upwe decided to change into cooler clothes.While we were changing .@11.4 packing wegot attacked by bugs! They were so badon the lower part of the trail we had torun 1111. miles with oacks. But all in all itwas a great trip! .

Rat:h~ Sorli8l

TRAIL SIGNS FOR SALE

The Trails Committee is continuallyupdating and replacing old trail signs.This results in an interesting assortment ofold signs, any of which can be yours fora donation of $25. We even have a fewarrows and other trail markers availablefor $5 each. If one of these doesn't appealto you, we can retire almost any existingsign you'd like for just $35. You get aunique decoration for your home or yard,while your contribution helps defray thecost of making new signs for our trails.

Phone Chris Conrad at 603-323-6686for a list of available signs, or to place aspecial order.