Thank you for your interest in becoming a volunteer. We have several options available for those interested in all things Fire Tower and Trail work.
The Mt. Adams Friends group is 100% volunteer so we cannot possibly thank the men and women enough who have in the past and continue to provide the time and effort in helping us maintain this historical structure and trail.
For those interested we are looking for people for the following;
- Trail crew – We make several trips a season to maintain the trail. The majority of work is “sweep” work where we remove blowdown from the trail and open clogged drainages. We can supply the tools necessary but suggest participants bring work gloves, boots and clothing they don’t mind getting dirty. Often the trail crew will also assist in minor maintenance of the tower such as painting or securing fencing and cleaning the area.
- Tower Maintenance – Activities include those listed in trail crew but a focus on larger projects that may come up such as replacing worn stair treads, landing boards, or other projects as approved by the DEC. This may (and probably will) require hauling tools and materials up to the summit, ability to pack up to 40 lbs is rare but not totally out of the question dependent on scope of work and volunteers available.
- Fire Tower Stewards – We have a keen interest in starting a weekend Fire Tower Steward Program. There is an incredibly rich history of fire towers in the Adirondacks overall and particularly the Mt. Adams tower and the very historic area it is located in. We will provide training for the position and a steward shirt and hat. Stewarding will run from June 17th till September 3rd and we only ask that people volunteer for a minimum of three shifts during that period.
We provide this service to the DEC through an agreement known as a Volunteer Stewardship Agreement. There are several terms and conditions that we must comply with in order to provide this service and offer certain protections for the safety of the volunteers.
To participate in any position we need the following form filled out, signed and returned to us by May 1st Individual Volunteer Application leave the Stewardship Agreement Number section at the top blank. The signed copy can be scanned or digitally signed and returned to us at:
admin@adkhighpeaksfoundation.org
or mailed to: ADK Highpeaks Foundation, PO Box 650, Syracuse NY 13214 (please allow sufficient time for delivery)
Next please fill out the Volunteer Sign Up Form (google forms)
Then read and complete the Liability and Waiver Form (google forms)
Read our Code of Conduct and Sexual Harassment Policy
Our Current Schedule is as Follows:
May 20th 2023 – Trail sweep and light tower maintenance 8:00 – 4:00 meet at trailhead.
June 7th 2023 – Tower maintenance and any additional trail work that would require approval from DEC from the May 20th sweep.
Weekends June 17th through September 3rd – Fire Tower Stewards
Additional work weekends to be scheduled.