Twelve eager volunteers spent July 1-4 doing trail work at Little Lyford Pond Camps. Participants came from as far away as Boston to help lop branches, throw brush, contour the trail, as well as construct a nearly 100 foot stretch of bog bridging.

Although the weather was mostly hospitable, folks donned rain gear without complaint for the few hours of precipitation that coincided with trail work. Numerous biting insects graced our presence, including, but not limited to, and sometimes in combined forces; the Maine black fly, its close compadre the mosquito, everyone’s favorite the horse fly (sometimes known as a moose fly depending on your geographic location and if the chunk it removes from your body is larger than a half dollar), and the not so often seen, but often felt, those burning no-see-ums.

The crew of 12 split into two groups on Saturday. Caroline Welch, Dave Boyd, John and Eunice Wilcox, Jim and Jannie Heida, Kate Brewster and Sue Deming worked with the AMC Trail Crew lopping limbs and contouring the ground on a new trail that is an old logging road. The trail will mostly be utilized as a ski trail to connect LLPC with other nearby sporting camps. The four other volunteers (Peter and Janet Roderick, Tony Barrett, and Laura Flight) spent the day collecting and preparing materials for the bog bridging project. A half a dozen or more cedar and spruce trees were felled, cut into eight foot sections, “ripped” (cut lengthwise like a banana in a banana split), and rid of their bark (to help slow the rotting process).

We awoke on Sunday to steady rain, and even after seconds and thirds at breakfast, it was still raining. But the hearty group we are, we were not going to let wet stuff falling from the sky ruin the fun of getting our feet wet for the bog bridging day. A couple of folks lopped the River Trail while the remainder helped construct the bog bridging. The materials from Saturday were laid out and then the leveling and spiking process began. Each eight-foot section was placed on top of a “sleeper” or cross piece at both ends that lies perpendicular to the bridging piece. The sleepers were leveled which often required significant trenching in the muddy substrate. This resulted in loud sucking noises as well as inadvertent and totally unintentional splashing of bystanders (sorry Janet!). After the sleepers were leveled, the bridging plank was placed on top and also leveled; easier said than done when working with “lumber” that was “milled” by a chainsaw. The pieces were also notched!
to prevent any rocking that would quickly weaken the bridge and rapidly increase deterioration. When that was all satisfactory, a bit-brace was used to drill a hole through the bridging plank over the sleeper (Kate became the expert at this and a bit protective I might add). This was done to prevent the planking from splitting when, the next step in the process; a twelve-inch spike was driven into the sleeper. The process was then repeated for nearly 100 feet in total completed.

Many folks spent Sunday afternoon hiking along Gulf Hagus, which was reported to be impressive given the morning of rain. Monday was spent back with the AMC Trail Crew lopping and clearing brush on the future ski trail. Higher branches were also cleared with a pole saw. Some folks left Monday PM after trail work to satisfy other obligations. Tuesday we awoke again to rain and the few remaining volunteers worked until lunchtime lopping and contouring on a trail near the camps.

A lot of good work was accomplished over the four days, and it is very satisfying to see the results. One more work trip to LLPC is scheduled for this year- Friday, Oct. 6 to Monday, Oct. 9 over the Columbus Day weekend. Volunteers stay at LLPC at a greatly reduced rate. Trail work is generally from 9-2:30 and the rest of the day is yours to explore the area- hiking, paddling, fly fishing etc. Contact Peter Roderick for more information. roderick1027@fairpoint.net.

Thanks to all the participants and also to Rose, Chuck, Steve, Kate, Ashley and Arlene for sustaining our caloric needs! Trail workers have quite an appetite!

Laura Flight