2009 Field Season - Northern Forest Canoe Trail

The NFCT has had a very successful field season in 2009!  This season, with the help of the Adirondack Watershed Alliance, we expanded our Summer Stewardship Intern Program to include a Field Supervisior, 3-person Roving Crew, 2-person New York Crew, and a utility man that went where needed.  This gave us the opportunity to offer four Waterway Work Trips (WWTs), and several volunteer opportunities in New York working with the Department of Environmental Conservation and the Raquette River Corridor Project.  We made a lot of new friends, accomplished important projects, and made the trail even better.  Here are a few highlights, don't forget to follow the field adventures on our NFCT Blog!

Franklin Falls Project

 Nick Olson lifts a 500 lb. rock with a Griphoist.

Brian, Stefan Janjic, and Nick Olson move a stone step into place.

The Franklin Falls WWT crew (left to right: Acadia Tripp, Sam Perron, Kimberly Hack, Noah Pollock, Nick Olson, Kathy, Daniel Novak, Brian, Stefan Janjic) tackled the installation of a 24-step staircase on the Permanent Rapids Portage.  The staircase will be completed next year so stay tuned for the posting of the 2010 WWTs in late March if you would like to participate. 

Highgate Falls Dam Project

A continuation of a 2008 WWT, this year we installed 18 lumber cribbed steps, side-hilled a 200 foot section of trail, laid down gravel on 300 feet of trail, and worked with VASA to repair ATV damage done to a portion of the portage trail.

Field Supervisor, Noah Pollock, and WWT volunteer Christian battle the mud to install lumber-cribbed steps.

Finished staircase

The Highagate Falls Crew ( left to right- Kim Hack, Acadia Tripp, Daniel, Joelle, Noah Pollock, Laurie, Bruce, Tim, Ben, Sam Perron, and Christian).

Connecticut River Work Trip

 Ray Lovell of Maidstone, VT has allowed the use of his land for a much needed campsite on the Connecticut River.  The Site is named the Samuel Benton Campsite.  This year's WWT worked to install a picknic table, moldering privy, and signage.  Thanks Ray, your land ethics are appreciated!

Kim Hack and Lynne go round and round to install a helical anchor that we will attached the picnic table to to assure it will stay in place.

Dwayne, Steve, Sam and Frank piece together the frame of the moldering privy.

Ahhhhh...the smell of rough sawn cedar. 

Attean WWT

The NFCT worked with John Boydston of the Maine Forest Service to transport and install bog bridging on part of the Moose River Loop as well as working on the Sally Beach campsites.

Kim Hack puts the finishing touches on a section of bog bridging.