VOLUNTEER
BETA maintains over 100 miles of trails for ski touring and mountain biking in the region, and dedicated BETA volunteers are responsible for much of this work on an annual basis. You can get involved by volunteering at a trail day and give back to the trails you love to ride and ski! Please see below for current volunteer opportunities and stay tuned for more details about upcoming trail projects.
2021 VOLUNTEER DAYS
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May 16
Flume, Wilmington June 12 Blueberry Hill, Elizabethtown June 26 Craig Wood, Lake Placid July 11 Craig Wood, Lake Placid August 15 Dewey Mountain, Saranac Lake |
October 30 & 31
High Peaks Wilderness ski trails POSTPONED November 6 Jackrabbit Ski Trail - McKenzie Pass section November 7 High Peaks Wilderness - ski trail maintenance TBD November 12 Jackrabbit Ski Trail - Paul Smiths to Lake Clear November 13 High Peaks Wilderness - Mr. Van ski trail bridge building November 14 High Peaks Wilderness - ski trail maintenance TBD |
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Sunday, August 15
Dewey Mountain, Saranac Lake **COMPLETED** We finished a new section of singletrack, the last of a number of new trails that were built by BETA this season. These new sections of trail add new riding options and make it possible for beginner or intermediate riders to test their skills without climbing into the more technical terrain higher on the mountain. First we dig, then we ride! Stick around for a Dewey group ride after the digging, and post-ride hot dogs on the tailgate (might even throw in a veggie burger or two - BYO gluten-free buns) |
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Sunday, July 11
Craig Wood, Lake Placid **COMPLETED** The BETA Trail Crew and 11 volunteers built a new beginner trail near the Scott's Cobble parking lot. The 0.25 mile "Looper" trail is a fun and twisty extension of Putt Putt with almost no climbing, making it perfect for mellow adult riders and kids on Strider bikes alike. This project is made possible by a grant from the North Elba LEAF - a new program designed to provide funds for programs, activities, and facilities that will have direct benefits to our communities and improve the quality of place for both residents and visitors. |
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Saturday, June 26
Craig Wood, Lake Placid **COMPLETED** BETA started work on a new 1-mile loop at the Craig Wood trails in 2020. The Trail Crew has been digging here for over 2 weeks this season, and on June 26, 15 volunteers helped push it to the finish line. "Duffer's Delight" traverses a beautiful stretch of forest above the Jackrabbit Trail and will add a fun intermediate loop to the Craig Wood network once completed. |
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Saturday, June 12
Blueberry Hill Trails, Elizabethtown **COMPLETED** Join us to help build a new trail at Blueberry! On June 1 the BETA Trail Crew started work on a new single track between the Wreath and Cabin trails. The project will create another 1.5 miles of riding at Blueberry and will provide a more enjoyable climbing route from the bottom of Cabin to the bottom of Joel's (it's a pretty sweet downhill on the way out too!). |
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Sunday May 16, 2021
Flume Trails, Wilmington **COMPLETED** The first official volunteer day of the season! Almost 20 people came out to help with a variety of maintenance projects on the Upper Connector trail between Whiteface and the Flume. The BETA Trail Crew followed close behind with additional improvements to the Ridge trail, just after the intersection w/ Upper Connector. Enjoy the ride! |
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2020 VOLUNTEER DAYS
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November 8, 2020 **Completed**
Jackrabbit Ski Trail, McKenzie Pond Rd section, Saranac Lake Kudos to the 15 volunteers who helped to clean up the Saranac Lake side of McKenzie Pass, one of the best ski tours around! We cleared blowdown and cleaned many critical drainage ditches between McKenzie Pond Rd and the height of land on McKenzie Pass. |
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November 1, 2020 **Completed**
Hayes Brook & Grass Pond, Paul Smiths Thank you to the 14 volunteers who helped clear brush and blowdown on the Hays Brook and Sheep Meadow trails near Paul Smiths. Local trail adopters performed maintenance on the Grassy Pond trail this summer as well, much appreciated! BETA is working with NYSDEC, local elected officials and trail advocates in the area to find both short and long-term solutions to improve winter trail access at this and other trailheads in Franklin County where there have been plowing and parking issues. |
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October 24, 2020
Jackrabbit Ski Trail, McKenzie Pass section, Lake Placid **Completed** We had a fantastic socially distanced trail work today on the Jackrabbit ski trail in Lake Placid. Much appreciation for the 7 volunteers who worked in the rain to clean drainage ditches and culverts before winter At least we could see where the water is running! . This isn’t the sexiest trail work activity, but it’s critical to prevent erosion and reduce the chances of ice flows on the ski trail in winter, especially after thaw-freeze events. |
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October 17, 2020
Jackrabbit Ski Trail, Old Mountain Road, Keene
*COMPLETED*
Thank you to the 9 volunteers who spent the day repairing multiple drainage features, cleaning ditches and culverts and clearing blowdown on the Old Mountain Rd section of the Jackrabbit Trail, one of the finest ski tours in the region.
Photo - beaver pond view below Chimney Hill, Old Mountain Road, North Elba
Jackrabbit Ski Trail, Old Mountain Road, Keene
*COMPLETED*
Thank you to the 9 volunteers who spent the day repairing multiple drainage features, cleaning ditches and culverts and clearing blowdown on the Old Mountain Rd section of the Jackrabbit Trail, one of the finest ski tours in the region.
Photo - beaver pond view below Chimney Hill, Old Mountain Road, North Elba
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September 5, 2020 *COMPLETED*
Craig Wood Trails, North Elba BETA's Trail Crew started work on a new 1-mile loop at the Craig Wood trails in June, and 15 volunteers continued digging toward the finish line on Sept 15. This new trail traverses a beautiful stretch of forest and will add a fun intermediate loop to the trail network. |
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2019 TRAIL WORK DAYS
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May 5
Stewardship projects on Gulo Gulo,Marble Mountain, and Bear Claw Trails, Wilmington NY. June 2 National Trails Day @ Lake Placid Elementary - Youth Project Lake Placid NY. June 9 Hardy Road, Three Sisters, Finish Gulo Gulo & Bear Claw trails. Wilmington NY June 30 Lussi & Loggers Network, Lake Placid NY July 7 Saranac Lakes Wild Forest - new MTB trail July 21 Cobble Hill - new community trail network. Elizabethtown NY |
August 4
Jackrabbit Ski Trail - North Elba August 25 Wilmington MTB Skills Park improvements. Wilmington Pump Track September 22 Jackrabbit Ski Trail - Keene October 19 Fall Trails Day w/ ADK in the High Peaks Wilderness October 20 Jackrabbit Ski Trail - Paul Smiths November 2 Jackrabbit Ski Trail - Lake Placid November 11 Jackrabbit Ski Trail - Lake Placid/Saranac Lake |
