Trail Season Starts Strong
High Peaks Alliance (HPA) is grateful for the volunteers who help care for the trails, public lands, and outdoor experiences that make Maine’s High Peaks region such a special place. Their contributions often happen behind the scenes, but the impact of their work is visible with every well-maintained trail hikers enjoy throughout the year.
On June 12, volunteers joined HPA staff Matt Kusper and Emily Kidd at Tumbledown Public Lands for the first Volunteer Trail Work Day of the season. Together, they spent the day improving the Little Jackson Connector Trail, helping ensure that this popular recreation area remains accessible and resilient for years to come.
Their efforts focused on improving the trail slope along the Little Jackson Connector Trail, adjacent to the popular Brook Trail. Water is one of the biggest challenges facing trail systems, and proper trail sloping helps prevent erosion that can damage trails and surrounding habitats.
After completing trail slope improvements, the crew began constructing a stone staircase designed to stabilize a steep section of trail and improve hiker access.
The Foundation of Stewardship
Visitors to Tumbledown often focus on the destination: the mountain views, the ponds, and the memorable hiking experience. What many hikers don’t see is the ongoing work required to keep trails functional in the face of weather, erosion, and increasing use.
Through a partnership with the Bureau of Parks and Lands, HPA helps monitor and maintain trails throughout the area. This work protects natural resources while ensuring that residents and visitors can continue enjoying safe access to public lands.
📸 Volunteers repositioning a large stone
Building for the Future
Trail work requires patience, planning, and teamwork. Each stone used in a staircase must be carefully selected, transported, and positioned to create a structure that can withstand years of use and changing weather conditions.
By the end of the day, the team had completed a functional section of the staircase and made significant progress toward the larger project. While additional work remains, the effort demonstrated how much can be accomplished when people come together with a shared purpose.
The improvements made on June 12 will help reduce erosion, improve trail durability, and create a better experience for everyone who visits Tumbledown Public Lands.
📸 Volunteers digging a hole for the first step of the staircase
Many Hands, Lasting Impact
Volunteer trail work days are about more than moving rocks and digging dirt. They are opportunities for people to connect with the landscape, learn stewardship skills, and contribute directly to the places they value. People come away from these days with new perspectives such as Emily’s: “This experience has allowed me to gain a newfound respect and appreciation of the trails I have been fortunate enough to recreate on for my entire life. I will never take another stone step for granted!”
Every hour volunteered helps protect trail access and strengthens the outdoor recreation opportunities that are central to life in Maine’s High Peaks region. Whether someone is an experienced trail worker or joining for the first time, every contribution makes a difference.
“I would highly encourage anyone to join a volunteer crew and actively participate in trail stewardship. It takes a lot of dedication and knowledge to improve access to our natural resources in Maine. It was insightful to understand the process that goes into upgrading the trail system and meeting other people with a conservation mindset.” -Matthew Burtt
We are incredibly thankful for the volunteers who joined us on June 12 and helped make the day a success. Their efforts will benefit hikers for years to come.
📸 Newly placed stone steps
Take Action
Interested in helping care for the trails you love?
Join us for an upcoming Volunteer Trail Work Day and experience firsthand the satisfaction of giving back to the places that make Maine’s High Peaks region unique. No previous experience is necessary, and volunteers of all skill levels are welcome.
Upcoming Volunteer Trail Work Days:
- July 10
- August 21
- September 4
Together, we can continue improving the trails that make Maine’s high peaks so special!
