NFCT Field Crew Halftime Show

By Walter Opuszynski

We are halfway through our slated field projects and the NFCT Stewardship Intern Crew has been working at a break neck pace. They have been traveling across the the Trial performing stewardship activities that will make it easier for paddlers to access all the beautiful resources the corridor has to offer. Their efforts are possible, in large part, to dollars raised through the NFCT Trail Fund.

NFCT Stewardship Interns pause for a photo on one of three tent platforms they constructed at the new campsite on Eagle Point in Lake Memphremagog.

This is no easy accomplishment; it comes with fighting weeks of rain, poison ivy laden feet, and working through hot and sticky days to improve the NFCT for all to use. The impact goes far beyond the physical trail (we have the countless stories, the many people who have come together to work on the projects, and the people the crew interacts with in the many trail towns they have been through). It is hard to wrap all the work into one blog post, but here is a quick recap of what they have done so far:

Enosburg Falls, VT

The Crew had to move many a large rock to construct a new stone staircase at the Enosburg Falls access point. Work that will benefit paddlers and fishermen alike.

Sometimes rock needs a little help to fit just right.

Richford, VT

As part of our lumber construction training we built a new ladder for the recently installed Richford Campsite.

And two new picnic tables for Davis Park.

It is nice to take a step back and look at another job well done.

Raquette Falls, NY

Waterway Work Trip Volunteers getting muddy on the Raquette Falls Carry in New York.

The folks that do the 90-miler will climb the steps of the Raquette Falls Carry easier this year!

Eagle Point, VT

Tent Platform Deck — The NFCT Stewardship Crew and volunteers work on constructing one of three tent platforms at Eagle Point on Lake Memphremagog.

Finished Decking — The near finished product. Enjoy!

Finishing touches. — WWT volunteer Joe and Stewardship Intern Isaac put the finishing touches on the screen for the moldering chambers on the Eagle Point privy.

The group takes a moment to relish their accomplishment.

Next stop: Maine.

If you would like to follow the intern crew across the NFCT as they perform stewardship projects you can check in at the Delorme InReach Map. This year the crew will be posting their location and travel route to get to projects (typically on Wednesdays). For the second half of the field season the crew working on the Gull Pond Stream Portage in Rangeley, Maine as well as performing a variety of trail work on the Long Falls Dam Carry off of Flagstaff Lake in Maine and on the Shoreline Trail along the Androscoggin River below Pontook Dam in New Hampshire.

To get an overview of all project locations check out our interactive Waterway Work Trip Map. Hope to see you out there!