2014 ALDHA Gathering Workparty

October 13, 2014

On a pleasant October day, 15 attendees of ALDHA's 33rd annual Gathering and two volunteers from the Mass AT Committee put their boots to the ground and picked up tools in their hands to build a short relocation north of Massachusetts Ave in North Adams.

While the original trail route went directly up the slope, this new route crosses the same hill transversely, providing a longer, but gentler slope that reduces the velocity of runoff and directs it to the side of the footpath, rather than straight down the hill--making this section more sustainable and eliminating the need for waterbars and rock steps.

Working along a line of pink plastic flagging, "organic" soil--the top layer of leaves, duff and small roots is stripped off.

As the crew removes the top organic layer of soil, the lower layers of "inorganic" soil are exposed.  Without a host of rotting leaves and microorganisms, this subsoil will remain stable under heavy foot traffic and pounding rain.

The treadway is widened, and sloped slightly to the
downhill side (left in this photo).  The uphill edge will be
"laid back" to blend into the slope.

The outslope is fine-tuned to encourage water to run off the trail in sheets,
 rather than down hill in streams

Cindy "Loppers", Class of 2015 thruhiker, adds the
all-important white blazes.

Our first hikers ascend the partially completed trail

Many hands make light the work.  Thank you ALDHA!