Fall Trail’s Day (Archive 2024)

The Friends of Higley Flow State Park anticipate a robust winter season this year. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing the trails at Higley are a way for families to get outside in the fresh, crisp air of the winter months.

In preparation for the season, the Friends will host a trails day at the Park from 9:00 A.M. to approximately 1:00 P.M. on Saturday, November 2nd. The purpose of the workday is to put the trails in the Park into top shape for winter cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

Much work which required machinery has been done over the summer and fall months by Park staff. What remains is the final dressing up and light trimming on the trails.

Those volunteering, with the capability to do so, are asked to download, print and complete a volunteer waiver (PDF) beforehand. Waivers will be available for download. When entering the Park, volunteers will stop at the camping toll booth, where the waivers will be collected. Those who can’t complete a waiver ahead will be given one to complete in their vehicle. Volunteers needing to complete one onsite are asked to bring a pen.

There will be a group picture this year and volunteers are encouraged to take some candid photos to share. Volunteers are asked to wear sturdy shoes, and may want to wear work gloves. The Park has some tools for volunteers to use, but volunteers may also bring their own loppers, rakes, etc.

Trails Day Project:

-Someone to man toll booth until 10:00A.M. 
  
-Wood chips spreading on Warm Brook

-Signage: put out winter trail maps-one crew for each side of the road 2 people each side maps and 2 staplers with staples, backpacks to carry maps and staplers

-Put out road signs

-Go into woods along Warm Brook where spindly beech trees lean in and trim them out (SLU Team) loppers, hand saw, pole saw- 

-Trim edge of Overlook paralleling Park driveway

On these trails-pick up branches and trim back edges:
E-Z, Warm Brook, Beaver Pond, Wood’s trail trim and pick up as much as possible, Toadstool, Cedar Brook,Raquette Ridge 

-Clean in lodge and man the refreshments for workers  

-Take a step ladder, cover solar panel on trail lights on E-Z and identify which ones and how many need replacement. Mark those needing replacement with sticky dots

-Wax and prep rental skis for winter (SLU team)

-Work on making the cut across from the shower building by E loop to near the shower building by A loop while leaving it a natural, ungroomed trail.

-Gardens