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Trip Number: 12311A
Price: $745
Deposit: $100
Capacity: 12
Staff: Linda Cooper
Highlights:
- Help restore trails and possibly bridges after major flooding of 2008
- Take in the ambiance and history in Brandon, a delightful small VT
town
- Enjoy the strength and camaraderie of working with others
Includes:
- Most meals included
- Round-trip shuttle to the Burlington, VT airport
- Double accommodation in rooms with private bath (single accommodation arranged with the leader for an extra charge)
The Trip
Photo: Green Mountain National Forest
Vermont is well known for its lovely Green Mountains and rolling farmland.
Geologically old, the Green Mountains offer beauty and unspoiled habitat for
many northern plant and animal species. These mountains also provided abundant
inspiration for Robert Frost's poetry, and many artists, such as Warren Kimble,
still call Vermont home. Come help us restore treasured trails in the Moosalamoo
Section of Green Mountain National Forest. These trails need major restoration
since flooding in August 2008 and Tropical Storm Irene in August 2011. Green
Mountain National Forest staff have now planned restoration work that includes
reengineering many bridges that were washed away. Trails are also being rerouted
because of the 2008 flooding. Not coincidently, this area has recently been
designated as a National Recreation Area, requiring the retooling of trails
from single use to multiple use. This beautiful section of Vermont contains
abundant wildlife and scenic views of waterfalls, stone walls, and mountain
ridges. At the end of the day, enjoy a hot shower at our motel accommodation
and dinner at nearby restaurants, "dutch treat."
The Project
Working together provides a special camaraderie as well as an excellent way to learn new skills with professional supervision. We expect a variety of important jobs needing to be done: building and cleaning water bars, trimming trees, removing invasive plant species, brushing trails, and possibly assisting with bridge construction. Relocating and redesigning of trails for multiple use is also necessary. Participants should be fit enough to be outdoors and work six hours per day but are not required to have a high level of fitness. We will make every effort to match jobs to participant abilities. Each day during the week we will take a break to explore tourist attractions like Robert Frost's cabin and the Maple Museum.
Itinerary
Photo: Green Mountain National Forest
Day 1: After you get picked up at the airport, we'll gather
to get acquainted and have an orientation. In the evening, we'll eat our first
dinner together, and spend the night in Brandon.
Day 2: Today, we'll start our work project. In the afternoon we'll stop to visit galleries and museums of historic Brandon. We'll have dinner and spend the night in Brandon.
Day 3: We'll continue our work project during the day, then visit Robert Frost Interpretive Trail. Dinner and our overnight are in Brandon.
Day 4: After working during the day, we'll visit Maple Museum to learn the history of maple syrup production. Again, dinner and our overnight are in Brandon.
Day 5: Today, we'll wrap up our work project, and in the afternoon we'll visit Spirit in Nature trails. We'll sit down together with GMNF staff at night for a closing celebration BBQ. Again, we'll spend the night in Brandon.
Day 6: On our last day, we'll enjoy a naturalist walk in the Mooslamoo area with a ranger, then depart for airport. Please plan your flight home for after 2 p.m.
Accommodations and Food
We will stay in a local motel just outside of Brandon, VT. Double rooms with private bath are included in the trip cost. Single rooms can be arranged with the leader at an extra cost to the participant. Breakfast and lunch will be provided by the leaders and dinners will be in local restaurants, at your own expense
Trip Difficulty
We will make every effort to match jobs to participant abilities. Some may do hard trail work while others will be brushing or trimming trees. Jobs are also likely to be changed during any given day for the sake of variety and to assure that participants are not over-extended. Safety on the job will be primary in all of our actions and decisions. We will be using various tools each day. Explicit instructions in tool use and safety will be provided.
Equipment and Clothing
Photo: Green Mountain National Forest
You will need layers of clothing to include protection from rain and the vagaries of mountain weather. Broken-in hiking boots with ankle support are the most critical piece of equipment you will be asked to bring, followed closely by a full rainsuit -- top and bottom. Bring a day pack that will hold extra clothing, food, and your raingear; a personal first-aid kit (Band-Aids, moleskin, etc.), toiletry items, and of course any regular medicines. We will be happy to discuss clothing and equipment details with applicants and will provide a full list of items to bring closer to the date of the trip.
A detailed list of what to bring and driving directions will be provided to confirmed participants. We will also periodically provide trip roster updates so you can arrange carpools if desired.
Emergency contact numbers will be provided in the final mailing with any last-minute trip information.
References
Books:
- Any poetry by Robert Frost
- Meeks, Harold A., Time and Change in Vermont, A Human Geography.
1986.
Websites:
Conservation
We will be working in and for the Green Mountain National Forest, and will have frequent contact with rangers and staff. On one morning we will take a guided hike with a local naturalist to meet the flora and fauna (or its sign) up close and personal. This ranger will also provide us with information about forest-related issues. When on the trails we will always follow Leave No Trace protocol.
Trip Price
See the How to Apply for an Outing section for more details on registering for this trip and details
about our Reservation and Cancellation Policy.
The payment of a deposit does not confirm you as a member on the trip. Participants must be approved by the trip leader. After signing up for this trip, you will be sent a confirmation packet containing approval materials (Participant Approval Questionnaire, Medical Form, Liability Release Form). Each applicant (including those on the waitlist) must fill out these forms and promptly mail them to the trip leader. The leader will review the approval materials and notify you of your acceptance in a timely manner.
Staff
Leader:
Linda Cooper has over 35 years experience as a counselor, social worker, university administrator and outdoor adventure guide. Certified in Wilderness First Aid and CPR, Linda is an environmentalist committed to inspiring others with the love and appreciation of our fragile world. She is now partially retired with more time to play in the outdoors and lead trips for Sierra Club. She moved to Vermont in 2007, fulfilling a lifelong dream.
E-mail: silversneakerexc@juno.com
Assistant Leader:
Melissa Nicholson is a teacher and a world traveler, and hopes to someday combine the two. She enjoys almost anything outdoors, including cross-country skiing, inline skating, rock climbing, and especially hiking. She has lived in London, Boulder, and Seoul, but home is Rochester, NY.
E-mail: buffalum12@msn.com
General Notes About Sierra Club Trips