Trails

2026 Trail Skills College — Save the Date

The Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) and White Mountain National Forest (USFS–WMNF) will host the 5th Annual Trail Skills College at Camp Dodge Trails Center in New Hampshire’s White Mountains from May 14–17, 2026.

This multi-day event brings together volunteer and professional trail stewards of all experience levels for hands-on workshops, panel discussions, and opportunities to connect with the broader trails community. Workshops will be offered at reasonable industry prices, with on-site lodging and meals available.

AMC is also excited to announce the return of the Southern New England Trail Skills College, scheduled for September 18–20, 2026, at AMC’s Noble View Outdoor Center in Russell, Massachusetts. Camping options will be available, with more details coming later this year.

Save the date(s) and watch for upcoming announcements about schedules and registration. If you’d like to receive updates, click here to join the mailing list.

📧 Questions? Contact Erik Samia at [email protected].

2026 Trail Work Plan

• April 10, Marsh River Preserve, Midcoast Conservancy, Leader Susan Cottle
• May 9, Pleasant Mountain, Leader Phil Coyne and LIT Ken McAfee 
• May 15, Bass Falls Preserve, Midcoast Conservancy, Leader Susan Cottle
• May 16,  Appalachian Trail near Eustis, Leader Josh Barlow
• June 19-22, Lyford / Gorman: Leaders Marc Roy, Phil Coyne, Mora Judd 
• June 26–29, Medawisla: Leaders: Josh Barlow, Katie Barlow, Rota Knott and Scott Guay
• August 11, Cutler Mountain: Leader Phil Coyne
• September 11-13, Medawisla: Leaders: Rota Knott, Scott Guay, Robert Pantel and Peter Roderick
• Oct 9-12 Lyford / Gorman: Leaders: Phil Coyne, Marc Roy, Mora Judd and Robert Pantel
• Oct 18,  Appalachian Trail near Eustis, Leader Josh Barlow

Please refer to the trail event calendar for the latest work trip postings.

2027 Trail Work Plan

Join the Trails Team!

We are searching for people to join the Trails Committee team and looking for folks to assist leading trail work trips. These people will be responsible for leading a small group of volunteers out to do general trail work during the weekend a few times a year. This work will keep our trails safe and enjoyable for all. Everyone has fun and it’s for a good cause! To join the team click here.  Or for more information please send an email to Phil Coyne click here.

Meet the Trails Team!

We have a core team working and leading trail work trips in Maine. 

• Marc Roy: Trails Chair
• Phil Coyne: Past Trails Chair and Trails Leader
• Peter Roderick: Mentor, Former Maine Trails Adopter Coordinator and Trails Leader
• Joshua Barlow: Trails Leader
• Katie Barlow: Trails Leader
• Susan Cottle: Trails Leader 
• Scott Guay: Trails Leader 
• Rota Knott: Trails Leader
• Mora Judd: Trails Leader 
• David McCathy: Leader, Advisor and Mentor
• Robert Pantel: Trails Leader
• Kate Johnson: Advisor, Trainer, Advanced Trails Skills
• Amanda Peterson: Advisor, Trainer, Advanced Trails Skills

Volunteer Trail Resources

• Trail Leader Requirements and Guidelines (adopted 3/2021) click here 
• To view the trail work refresher video 

Training at Camp Dodge Trails Center

Camp Dodge Trails Center, a White Mountain National Forest facility operated by the AMC under a special use permit, has been renovated and is now open as a hub for sharing trails skills and knowledge through trainings, workshops, and networking opportunities for the region’s trails volunteers and professionals!  Click here for more info or each out to Erik Samia at [email protected] with any questions.

Peter Roderick Trail Work Award

Plan now for doing trailwork this summer.  AMC members who have never done trailwork are invited to apply for a scholarship that will cover all costs for food and overnight lodging during one of four multi-day trailwork opportunities in AMC’s Maine Wilderness Initiative (MWI). 

The Peter Roderick Trail Work Award (PRTWA), named to honor a longtime Maine Chapter trail volunteer, will cover the cost of a multi-day volunteer trail work outing in AMC’s 100,000-acre MWI area outside of Greenville, Maine.  The goal of this program is to encourage first-time trail volunteers to participate in multi-day opportunities in the MWI to learn trailwork skills and experience the satisfaction of giving back.

Photo taken by Melika Uter, taken during the Little Lyford Lodge Trail Trip May 2023.

Blowdowns

While hiking in spring you come across a spruce tree that has fallen across the trail. What is your reaction?

• A. Blowdowns are a part of the hiking experience. I go around them.
• B. Grumble that someone should do their job.
• C. I contact the person responsible for the trail.
• D. I remove the blowdown.

Find out the answer!