Join the Hogback Mountain Conservation Association for our traditional ski trail cleanup day at the Hogback Mountain Conservation Area. This event will take place of Friday, Nov 24, the day after Thanksgiving. We'll meet at 1:00 PM in the parking lot between the Distillery and the Hogback Gift Shop on Route 9 in Marlboro, at the 100-mile view. We will split into teams to tackle various ski trail projects. Please consider parking in the big lot on the north side of the highway even though we'll be meeting and working on the south side at the defunct ski area. If you enjoy backcountry or cross-country skiing at Hogback, this is the day to earn your turns by helping us keep the skiable lines open.
Bring your favorite tool for this kind of work tools. We'll have a few various tools of our own to loan out. We could use some volunteers with brush cutters or scythes to knock back the hardtack and others with loppers or hand saws to trim back face-slapping branches that are growing into the trails. We'll need one or two folks with chainsaws to deal with any big blowdowns we find, but keep in mind that you MUST have a full set of safety gear (chaps, safety-toe boots, ear/eye/hearing protection and a helmet) in order to use a chainsaw in the conservation area.
This will be the final weekend of rifle (deer) season, so wear something bright orange or safety yellow. It's not unusual to have a light layer of snow on the ground for this workday. That doesn't stop us. If it's raining or snowing heavily, assume the event is cancelled. Otherwise, dress for the weather and come on out and get ready to ski! Let us know (hmca@hogbackvt.org) if you plan to join us so that we have enough team leaders.