Monongahela National Forest, WV – Volunteer Vacation 2024
September 22 @ 5:00 pm - September 28 @ 10:00 am
Trip Navigation
Located on the eastern side of West Virginia, Monongahela National Forest is home to some of the most diverse plants, wildlife and fish in the region. This 920,000-acre forest provides visitors with scenic vistas, flowing streams and abundant plant and wildlife.
On this project, volunteers will work in Big Draft Wilderness to restore tread, brush overgrown vegetation and remove slough and berm to improve the Blue Bend Loop Trail. There are various segments of this trail that require work, varying from less than 50 yards to several hundred yards. The project is within a Congressionally designated wilderness so use of hand tools is required. Tools including Pulaskis, fire rakes, shovels, rock bars, adze hoe, Mcloud, soil tamper, and gravel bags will be used and provided by the Forest Service. Forest Service staff will provide a safety briefing and training prior to crew engaging in work. Volunteers will be staying at the Blue Meadow Group Camping area which is within 500 yards of trailhead. Volunteers can hike or drive to the parking lot for the trailhead.
During this trip, Monongahela National Forest’s average high temperature is 74°, and average low temperature is 52°.
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 Moneton, S’atsoyaha (Yuchi), and Shawandasse Tula (Shawanwaki/Shawnee) 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.
