Adopt a Trail

In order to have a beautiful and navigable Cohos Trail, we need your help! Our volunteer trail adopters are the lifeblood of our trail, responsible for regular maintenance on their section and for reporting larger needs to the TCTA Trails Coordinator so that we may plan additional work days.

Trail Adoption
Trail adopters usually work a minimum of one day a year. They use hand tools only, such as branch loppers, bow saws, and shovels and keep the trails clean and clear. If a big tree has come down, we ask that volunteers create a bypass around the tree until such time as we can get in there and chainsaw it out.

Trails Available for Adoption

Lake Francis Trail in Pittsburg and Clarksville – much of this trail requires mowing with either a weed whacker or DR mower. TCTA has equipment available for loan to adopters.

Nilsen’s Leg in Clarksville – We have a volunteer to mow the snowmobile trail section closest to Coleman State Park and we have a volunteer to maintain the foot path. We still need someone to check on the blazing between the northern end of the foot path which is Bobcat snowmobile trail, deadwater loop road and cedar stream road. This would involve driving some and walking some to make sure that the signage is in good shape as well as the blazing. Touch up painting of the blazes and replacing signs as needed.

We always need helpers for folks struggling on their adopted trail. Please send email Sue at [email protected]

For more information, please email us at [email protected].

We look forward to you joining our effort in keeping the Cohos Trail open and safe.

Trail Adopter Guidelines

  1. Use hand tools only (e.g. hand saw, bow saw, loppers, or ax – if you know how to use one). This combination of hand tools is well suited to deal with most blowdowns and other maintenance needs. Under no circumstances should volunteers be using chainsaws. If you come across something that cannot be taken care of with hand tools or otherwise bypassed, please let us know and we will take care of it. The only time a trail adopter should consider using power tools is if your trail requires weed whacking or mowing. Please contact Sue Wentworth, Trails Coordinator, if you wish to use a weed whacker or mower on your trail.
  2. Use protective eyewear and gloves at all times.
  3. Clip the trail four feet wide and eight feet high where possible. Remove larger forest debris on the ground. Do not cut new trail ever. We must have permission to create new trails.
  4. Blazing may be retouched. You may only use bright yellow latex paint. Never oil-based paint. Use 2-inch foam brushes only. Touch up blazes carefully and don’t use too much paint so that it runs. You may touch up cedar wood blazes with paint if some are on your trail. Do not add new blazing. You may be reimbursed for paint and brushes. Never use an ax to cut a blaze into a tree – use paint only.
  5. Take a first aid kit with you. Take plenty of water and a snack or lunch. Use natural-substance bug dope and wear a broad-brimmed hat sprayed with bug dope during black fly season. It makes a big difference in your ability to keep the black flies away from your ears, mouth, neck, and eyes. If you use an ax, be sure to take a belt or a piece of rope with you that you could use as a tourniquet in case of an accident. Take a light source with you, matches, and a space blanket in case you can’t get out of the woods before dark and must overnight in the forest. Packing a rain poncho or shell is a wise idea, too.
  6. Check the condition of signs and trail infrastructure such as bridges and bog bridging. Let us know if you think there might be a problem with any structure.
  7. Pick up any litter and take it out of the woods. Please follow the principles of Leave No Trace.
  8. Let someone reliable know about where you are going to be working and when. If you run into trouble and can’t get out of the woods, someone will know that and appropriate help can be sent. Take a cell phone with you. Reception is spotty along the Cohos Trail, however, so do not depend entirely on your phone.
  9. Please let us know if you can’t continue as a trail adopter. We understand that life happens and other responsibilities may get in the way. If this is the case, it is best that we find another volunteer to take on the task.
  10. Ask us for a trail maintenance log form. We can email a PDF to you or send a few to you via snail mail.