Sign History
Since the inception of the trail crew, maintaining signage throughout the White Mountains has been a crucial responsibility. However, with increasing storms and highly laborious patrolling seasons, the crew could no longer shoulder the task of sign maintenance. In 2016, the crew collaborated with passionate alumni to create a volunteer sign maintenance program that allowed the crew to concentrate on trail maintenance. Today, the professional trail crew no longer patrols the trails, so the work of the volunteers is more important the ever.
The Role of a Sign Adopter
As a Sign Adopter, you become a steward of the trails, ensuring hikers can navigate safely and confidently. Your responsibilities include:
- Conducting annual inspections of assigned sign circuits
- Recording the condition of each sign on your route
- Loosening bolts on tree-mounted signs to prevent damage as trees grow
- Replacing weathered or damaged signs and posts
- Reporting any trail or environmental concerns
Why Become a Sign Adopter?
Give Back: Support the trails that have given you countless memories and help the current trail crew continue their work.
Explore: Rediscover hidden gems in the White Mountains and revisit your own trail work.
Preserve: Play a crucial role in keeping hikers on trail and out of fragile ecosystems and vegetation.
Stay Active: Enjoy a purposeful reason to spend time outdoors in the landscapes you love!
Getting Started is Easy
- Express Interest: Contact Craig Heinselman, the Adopt-A-Trail Volunteer program coordinator at the AMC, via email at [email protected]
- Fill Out the Form: Complete our online application to join the program
- Get Equipped: Receive the Sign Adopter Handbook and necessary tools
- Start Your Adventure: Begin your annual inspections and maintenance tasks
What You'll Need
- A passion for helping the hikers of the White Mountains
- A love for the legacy of signage
- Smartphone or camera for documentation
- Willingness to learn and follow safety guidelines
What Has Been Accomplished by Adopters
- Over 1000 reports
- Over 60% of the signs inspected
- Every sign installed
- Database and spreadsheets consolidated into a central database used for trail adoption
- Identification of signs we didn’t even know existed
- Feedback to other organizations on their signs based on inspections
By becoming a Sign Adopter, you're not just maintaining trails, you're preserving the trail crew legacy making long-lasting trails in the White Mountains. Ready to polish off your Limmers and get started? Reach out today and become part of the legacy!