2019 crew setting steps on the Beaver Meadow Trail

Indian Head ladder and stone step approach.

Erik Jacobson (L) and Jim Larson begin the process of dismantling the old bridge.

Dan Hausner (L) and stone mason Ray Haas at Leach Bridge pier 6-19.

Progress as of 7/27.

Nearly complete as of 8/3.

ATIS Trail Crew  -  see slide show below

​The 2020 season was a bit different, but the crew of six worked 11 of the usual 12 weeks.  There were some challenging sections of blowdown removal, some new drainage, and and some new steps constructed in addition to the major bridge rebuild.  See slide show below.  

    The Adirondack Trail Improvement Society currently maintains 105 miles of public hiking trails in the vicinity of Keene Valley and St. Huberts.  The trails maintained stretch from Rooster Comb just south of Keene Valley to the Elk Lake-Marcy Trail which crosses the headwaters of the Ausable River on its route to Marcy.  Summits reached by ATIS-maintained trails include Giant, Rocky Peak, Noonmark, Dial, Nippletop, Colvin, Blake, Haystack, Gothics, Sawteeth, and Lower Wolf Jaw.

     Maintenance is performed by a professional crew of generally six members who work from mid-May to early August.  Work begins in May with a patrol of the system to remove winter blowdown, clean existing drainage structures, and assess any additional damage to be repaired later.  Following this patrol, the crew works on selected trails to add drainage, build rock staircases, bog bridges, and generally "harden" the trails to better withstand today's levels of hiker traffic. The crew is also responsible for maintaining and, if necessary, rebuilding the 20 bridges and 24 ladders along the trail system.  

     The minimum age to work on the crew is generally 16 although most crew members are college or post-college age.  Those who can work all or most of the 12-week season are preferred, shorter periods of employment are accepted to accommodate school schedules.  Anyone interested in joining the crew should contact ATIS at the postal or email address below.

Erik Jacobson, Trails Program Director
​
2020 ATIS Trail Crew
Chief: Dan Hausner,  Roan Hayes-Burns, JimLarson, Dilon McLaughlin, Cal Seeley, Kaleb Cook 

LEACH BRIDGE REBUILD - SUMMER 2020

     This rebuild was by far the largest project ever undertaken by ATIS.  This 130-foot-long bridge had been in place in one form or another for at least 80 years.  The masonry piers replaced wooden cribs in the late 60s. In 1998 treated utility poles replaced the native material that had needed periodic replacement.  Now, the piers needed to be replaced.  First, the ATIS crew totally dismantled the bridge.  Then Ray Haas, of Haas Stone and Steel, based in Westport, built the two new piers.  Once that was done, the ATIS crew reassembled the bridge on the new piers. 

2019 crew at new Deer Brook bridge

Pinned steps next to older ladder on Indian Head

Typical stone staircase

Ladder on Haystack Brook Trail

Trail Crew campground, a.k.a "Tent City"

New staircase on the Bartlett Ridge Trail.

---

Adirondack Trail Improvement Society
PO Box 565
Keene Valley, NY 12943
(518) 576-9157
atis@atistrail.org