Monadnock Trails Week

Two people wearing hard hats, holding hand tools moving a large rock with information about 18th Annual Monadnock Trails Week, Sept 5-9, 2024.

18th annual Monadnock Trails Week: 

Thurs, September 5 - Mon, September 9

Monadnock Trails Week is an annual collaboration between the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests and NH State Parks. We aim to protect, improve, and promote the trails of the Monadnock Region. Monadnock Trails Week began in 2006.

Volunteering for Monadnock Trails Week (MTW) is a lot of fun, and doesn't require any special prior experience. Our crew leaders will match volunteers to projects based on experience and comfort level, and we'll walk all new volunteers through how to use trail tools to complete whatever project we're working on. You'll learn new skills and get to hang out with other people who love hiking and getting their hands dirty in New England's forests! 

If there is enough interest among volunteers, we hope to host affinity crews again this year (LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, Women's crew, Youth, Veterans, etc.).  Small groups are also welcome to participate, as long as they register well in advance.  If you would like to put together a group,, reach out to Laurel Swope-Brush. In past years, we've worked with Trailwrights, Keene High School Honor Society, Camp Wa-Klo, the Cardigan Highlanders Trail Crew, and other business/employee groups.

We look forward to seeing you on the mountain this year!

Register Now! over a hiking boot print

Can't volunteer but want to support trail improvements? Make a donation to our Reservation Stewardship Fund, which supports work ranging from trail care to signage to habitat management on our forest reservations throughout the state.

 


Previous Monadnock Trails Weeks

 

2023 Monadnock Trails Week

Thank you to our 2023 Monadnock Trails Week sponsors, including Eastern Mountain Sports!

We are so thankful for the more than 50 volunteers and staff that prepared to join us at the 17th Annual Monadnock Trails Week! Even with the threat of rain and storms, volunteers accomplished major trail structural improvements and retained important ecosystems at Mount Monadnock and Gap Mountain during this year’s event. The Forest Society and New Hampshire State Parks worked together to host the 17th annual event from July 13 to July 17, 2023. SEE PHOTOS HERE


2022 Monadnock Trails Week

MTW By the Numbers 2022
Monadnock Trails Week 2022 Work Data

See photos and videos from 2022 here! 

Thank you to the partner organizations, sponsors, and supporters that made Monadnock Trails Week 2022 possible, including Blackfire Farm, Black Folks Camp Too, C&S Grocers, Dublin General Store, Dublin Road Taproom & Eatery, EMS, Grappelli's Brick Oven Pizza, Nature's Green Grocer, Monadnock Food Co-Op, New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, The Optimist Cafe, and Post & Beam Brewing.

The logos of the sponsors.

Monadnock Trails Week Photos

Volunteers point to an area needing improvement on Gap Mountain.
2022 Gap Mountain volunteers pressed on with trail work, despite intense heat and humidity all weekend long. (Photo: Carrie Deegan)

 

A group huddles around a muddy hole.
A group of volunteers and Forest Society staff makes improvements to the Marlboro Tail on Mount Monadnock during trails week in July 2022. (Photo: Carrie Deegan)

 

A trailwork crew poses on the job.
A trail crew takes a quick break during the 2021 Monadnock Trails Week. (Photo: Courtesy of Jesse Zacrow, NH State Parks)

 

Members of a trail crew pose during Monadnock Trails Week.
Members of a trail crew during Monadnock Trails Week 2021. (Photo: Volunteer Keith Martin)

 

A trail, once eroded and covered in water, is now built up with rock steps and gravel to ensure better drainage.
After MTW 2021: an improved trail has better drainage, helping keep it safe and sustainable for future hikers. (Photo courtesy of Jesse Zacrow, NH State Parks)

 

Group of trail crew volunteers leaning on a pickup truck in a dirt parking lot