Pemigewasset Wilderness, White Mountain National Forest, NH
DatesJun 20th - Jun 26th 2010 Service ProjectRehabilitation and trail maintenance Free DaysHiking, photography, swimming AccommodationsBackpack camping Trip RatingStrenuous : 3 mile backpack to base camp, day hiking to work site on weekdays; bending, digging, shoveling, lift LeadersCarter Bland Equipment |
One of the most extensive roadless areas in the eastern United States, the Pemigewasset is New Hampshire's largest Wilderness Area at 45,000 acres. The "Pemi" is a wild area of hardwoods surrounded with raggedly beautiful peaks that reach above treeline, is drained by the East Branch of the Pemigewasset River and is known for its ecological recovery from the logging era of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. After years of rampant clear-cutting, the areas inclusion in the White Mountain National Forest, and later designation by congress as a Wilderness Area, has led to a substantial rebound in the forest ecosystem. This is New England backpacking at its very best. This is our third year in the White Mountains, following previous greatly successful trail maintenance projects. We'll backpack 3 miles and set up a basecamp. From here, our service project will be rehabilitating trail and the immediate area affected by the removal of a suspension foot bridge over the East Branch of the Pemigewasset River. Time permitting, we may also conduct various trail maintenance work in the wilderness helping catch up with delayed maintenace of the tread, cleaning waterbars and removing downed trees. On our off day, we can explore the wilderness on the Appalachian Trail. This project is suitable for beginners to backpacking and service work. It is rated as strenuous, including regular day hiking, bending, lifting, and work with hand tools such as Pulaskis, shovels, McLeods, rakes and loppers.
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