For more than 100 years, Chocorua Mountain Club members have been clearing trails on Mount Chocorua, and you can, too! If you love to hike Chocorua, come help keep the trails clear and safe, and meet others who also love this place.

On Saturday, May 13 at 9AM, join the Chocorua Mountain Club for our Annual Trail Clearing Day. Meet at 9AM at the Chocorua Lake Conservancy public access area, the Grove at Chocorua Lake, on Chocorua Lake Road just off of Route 16, for tools and trail assignments. Wear sturdy close-toed shoes or boots and long pants, bring plenty of water to drink, snacks (and lunch, if you plan to hike the mountain), sun and bug protection as needed, and a first-aid kit for small cuts and bruises—i.e. standard hiking gear. Tools are provided as needed, but it’s helpful if you can bring your own sturdy steel rake, big clippers, and gloves—no power tools, please. No special skills needed.

Participants will have two options: Hike the Mountain, a full-day hike on CMC trails on Chocorua and Paugus, clearing water bars and blowdowns, and maybe hiking the summit for fun. Or, help protect Chocorua Lake Conservancy trails, a half-day hike on conservation land, clearing CLC trails and land around the lake, followed by a nap or a swim!

Along with trail work volunteers, we are also looking for crew leaders for each trail—folks who have been on the trail before and who are willing to be the point person for borrowed tools and the trail report. Please let us know if you are coming, and if you are able to be a crew leader, by contacting Ken at chocoruamountainclub@gmail.com. You can also recruit a team of three or more friends or family members and come along together.

After our work day, join us for a potluck & BYOB supper at 5:30PM. Ham, potatoes, and beans are provided—please bring sides, salads, desserts, and beverages. The Annual Meeting follows the supper; join us to discuss the future structure of the CMC. Directions to the potluck/meeting location will be shared as we gather to head out to the trails. Any tools that have not yet been returned can be brought to the potluck.

About the Chocorua Mountain Club:

Since 1908, the Chocorua Mountain Club has looked after the Brook Trail, Chocorua Beeline Trail, Hammond Trail, Weetamoo Trail, Paugus Beeline Trail, Old Paugus Trail, and the Whitten Brook Trail. For more information, visit www.chocorualake.org/chocorua-mountain-club.

Banner image: A view from up on Mount Chocorua. Photo: Juno Lamb