Gila National Forest, NM – Volunteer Vacation 2024
May 12 @ 5:00 pm - May 18 @ 10:00 am
Trip Navigation
Come be a part of the effort to re-open access to America’s first designated wilderness during the Gila Wilderness’ 100-year anniversary!
Nestled within the Gila National Forest, which is made up of over three million acres of forested hills, majestic mountains, and range land, is the Gila Wilderness – the first designated wilderness in the United States. Come help reopen a long-lost local favorite trail and be a part of the celebration of America’s first wilderness area! Volunteers will work alongside the Glenwood Trail Crew to reopen 3 miles of fire-damaged wilderness trail. Crews will hike 4-miles up the spectacular South Fork Whitewater Canyon to a base-camp at Tennessee Meadows. Volunteers will work together to log-out, brush, and re-establish tread on the Little Whitewater Trail, which connects downtown Glenwood to the heart of the Wilderness. Volunteers will get opportunities to use primitive hand tools such as crosscut saws to buck logs, learn trail maintenance tasks such as tread construction, and explore a remote and untouched corner of the Southwest.
Volunteers will need to hike 4 miles to the campsite and carry their personal gear and a portion of the food/tools/cooking gear. There will be a gradual climb from Whitewater Creek to Tennessee meadows that has approximately 1500 feet of elevation gain. There will be consistent water throughout the hike with adequate footing but there are many creek crossings. Volunteers will hike from their campsite to the project site each day. The hike on the project trail will be a half mile minimum to three mile maximum at project completion. Trail is in mountainous terrain, with approximately 500 feet of elevation gained for a typical work day. Transportation to the trailhead for backpacking can be provided. UTV access is strongly recommended. Due to project variation, daily assignments will be tailored to individual fitness. Footing is adequate for the majority of the trail, but boots are required for the project work.
During this trip, Gila National Forest’s average high temperature is 62°, and average low temperature is 38°.
There is no experience needed to join a Volunteer Vacation! Your expert hosts will provide detailed instruction, tool demonstrations, and project oversight throughout the week. All you need is a willing attitude and to be in good physical condition to participate in moderate physical activity for approximately 6-8 hours a day with plenty of breaks, at your own pace. Find out more about what it’s like to join a Volunteer Vacation and other frequently asked questions here.
AHS acknowledges with gratitude that this project takes place on the traditional lands of the Chiricahua Apache and Pueblos peoples past and present. We honor the land itself, the Indigenous communities who have stewarded this land for generations, their deep and sacred connection to these lands, and those who continue to steward these lands today. We offer this land acknowledgement as the first of many steps to stand as an ally and amplify Indigenous voices. We invite the American Hiking Society community to join us through continued efforts to support Indigenous communities and learn more about the history of the lands on which we live, work and recreate.
Click here for a PDF of trip details.
