Author: Jim, Sagebrush

NMVFO returned to the South Sandia Crest Trail, with 12 volunteers camping at a meadow at the intersection with Embudito Trail, for a weekend of lopping oak. The Pecos Chapter of the Backcountry Horsemen BCH supported us by hauling equipment and water.

Sixteen NMVFO volunteers returned this year to work on a restoration project. The goal is to prevent ground water from forming ditches too early, and diverting the water with structures to sheet across the land, restoring wetlands. We built one-rock dams and sod riffles to move water flow.

Seven NMVFO volunteers, two volunteer.gov signups, and two NPS staff met at Capulin Volcano National Monument over Memorial Day Weekend to work on trail. Friday evening campers were met with thunder, lightning, hail, wind, and especially rain.

Rain held off the next day until just after work, and Sunday was clear. Work involved scratching grasses out of the tread and lopping Gambel oak on the Boca Trail and Lava Flow Trail.