This summer, millions of tourists will make their mark on the thousands of miles of trails New Hampshire has to offer. What they may not know is that hundreds of mostly volunteer trail workers around the state make their hiking adventures possible. 

“There are so many different organizations that help with trails and trail maintenance in the state; it’s really a big patchwork,” said Carrie Deegan, reservation stewardship and engagement director with the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests. 

The Forest Society oversees 200 properties in the state, including most of Mount Major and Mount Monadnock. New Hampshire’s Department of Natural and Cultural Resources and the U.S. Forest Service jointly manage the public lands of the White Mountains, in partnership with nonprofit and volunteer organizations like the Appalachian Mountain Club and the Randolph Mountain Club. These largely volunteer-led organizations maintain specific trails with staff and volunteers. 

As part of these various groups, staff and volunteer workers play a significant role in the stewardship and maintenance of trails throughout the state. Their efforts combat erosion, flooding, and other wear-and-tear trails endure from weather or use. This tourist season, heavy rainfall has strained maintenance work. 

Summer rainfall creates maintenance challenges 

“This summer, we’ve had an incredible amount of rain, which has really been challenging,” Deegan said. 

The rainfall means some trails are much wetter than usual and others are inaccessible due to swollen streams. Alex DeLucia, director of trails at the Appalachian Mountain Club, said hiker safety is his greatest concern. He emphasized that hikers should plan carefully in light of weather and trail conditions. 

Some trails have also faced high levels of erosion due to the rainfall. According to Deegan, there are several tactics trail workers can use to address wet trails and keep them accessible.

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