To adopt your favorite trail on behalf of the AMC, here’s how to get started:
1. Contact the Trails Challenge Coordinator at amctrailschallenge@outdoors.org
or (617) 523-0655 x358
- Let the AMC know of your interest in trail maintenance.
- Find out if there is another group already maintaining the trail that AMC could partner with.
- Get tips on basic trail maintenance and when you could join a work party to learn the basic skills if necessary.
- Arrange to receive your copy of AMC’s Complete Guide to Trail Building and Maintenance.
2. Consult AMC resources for basic trail maintenance.
- Join a local Chapter work party for a day to learn about basic maintenance or take part in a scheduled workshop.
- Review the Basic Maintenance and Tool Safety sections of AMC’s Complete Guide to Trail Building and Maintenance.
- Review a sample handbook for AMC Adopters to see what a land manager might expect for good quality trail maintenance. The Wachusett Mountain Adopter Handbook (PDF), based on AMC’s White Mountains Adopter Handbook, is an excellent resource that may be applicable to many trails. Land managers may be interested in it as well.
3. Get out and maintain the trail!
- Work independently or with your friends and family (teach them what you’ve learned about good trail maintenance practices).
- If you would like to recruit other AMC members to help out, organize an official work party. Note that the leader of any advertised AMC trail work party must be qualified under Chapter leadership requirements. Contact your Chapter for more information on this.
- Have fun!
4. Report the miles you’ve adopted and the work you’ve done.
