Big Branch & Peru Wilderness, Green Mountain National Forest, VT

Dates

Sep 30th - Oct 6th 2012

Service Project

Surveying for illegal campsites, fire rings and vehicle intrusions in the wilderness and blazing the

Free Days

Hike the Appalachian Trail/Long Trail, visit White Rocks NRA, photography

Accommodations

Dormitory

Trip Rating

Active : Long day hikes, surveying, monitoring and blazing trees

Leaders

Ruth Rosenstein
Robert Jackson

Equipment

The Green Mountain National Forest in Vermont covers almost 400,000 acres. The Big Branch and Peru Wilderness areas are separated by only a snowmobile access corridor, otherwise they form a nearly contiguous 14,000 acre wild land core. Our project takes place in both wilderness areas. The wild forests of Vermont form a core of mature closed canopy vegetation, habitat necessary for the survival of interior dwelling species, which contribute significantly to biological diversity in the region. Approximately 80 percent of the forest leafs out in northern hardwoods--maple, beech, and birch--and straddles the steep slopes and summits of the Green Mountains. Most of the two wildernesses are forested, with Elbow Swamp, a large wetland, lying on the eastern edge. The weather is cool from spring through fall, with spectacular outbursts of colorful leaves in September and October. The Big Branch and Peru wilderness areas provide a home for wild turkey, beaver, moose and substantial populations of white-tailed deer and black bear, while fishers ply for trout in the cool waters flowing through the shaded wilderness. There is a well-established network of trails in the wildernesses, including portions of the Long Trail-Appalachian Trail in each. Off the trail, travel generally is difficult, with thick brush and fallen trees year round.

Our service project is surveying the wilderness for illegal campsites, fire rings and vehicle intrusions, and may include blazing a stretch of trees along the famed Appalachian Trail. This heavily-used forest suffers new sites and intrusions every year that need to be inventoried, photographed, plotted and later analyzed for possible removal. The Forest Service utilizes volunteers to cover a lot of ground more quickly...and we're just right for the job! Volunteers will stay in the Green Mountain National Forest Service Mount Tabor Work Center dormitory and make day hikes into the wilderness, accompanied by Forest Service staff, in search of intrusions. Facility includes: single and bunk rooms, fully equipped kitchen, showers and laundry facility. This is not hard physical work, but it does require a sturdy pair of hiking boots and the ability to hike for several hours at a time. This is a suitable trip for those new to service work in the woods.