SMMTC Trail Maintenance

View the scheduled outings as a Google calendar or in pdf format for printing by selecting the appropriate tab below
Be sure to view the Guidelines and Safety Video (3rd tab) for important information, including what to wear, weather questions, etc.
Please contact the leader before the event to ensure enough tools are on hand and to the confirm meeting time and place
Occasionally we have other volunteer projects, for these and a more comprehensive calendar of volunteer outings in the Santa Monica Mountains, see our Other Volunteering page
Related links: Photos of recent outings | Google map of Trailheads in the Santa Monicas

Trail Maintenance Dates - Calendar Format

Have a Google Gmail account and use Google Calendar? Now you can display our calendars with yours by clicking on at the bottom-right of the calendar.

** indicates joint project with the Sierra Club Task Force
*** indicates joint project with CORBA
**** indicates a joint project with the Channel Islands Restoration

Trail Maintenance Dates - PDF Format

This format is best for printing our 5-month schedule in its entirety.

Please be aware that this PDF is not always updated in the event of any changes, so ALWAYS be sure to contact the leader and/or verify the time and place on the Google Calendar or the Date Listing.

Feb 2013-Jun 2013 PDF

View Previous Years' Schedules

Primarily of interest for our crewleaders. Note: changes in prior schedules are not always reflected in the PDFs.

Guidelines

Call the listed leader to receive specific information about the trail and meeting place and to answer your questions. PLEASE let the leader know in advance of your intention to participate so that enough tools will be available; also it is good to confirm because there have been occasions we had to cancel or change location on account of rain or fire danger. You can check local Red Flag (fire) warnings by calling the State Park Fire Closure Info line, 805-488-8147, and/or visiting NOAA's website, http://weather.gov/fire/. (Note: State Parks no longer automatically close the backcountries during all Red Flag Warnings but will during any extreme weather decided on a case by case basis - if any doubt, check with the crew leader.)
A parent or organization group leader must accompany volunteers under the age of 18.
Meeting places and times vary as noted on the schedule below, and are subject to change, make sure when you call that you confirm the meeting time and place. We plan to end work at 2 pm at the trailhead, please tell the leader when you call if you need to leave earlier. Keep in mind we often car pool, shuttle or hike to the actual work site; leaving early is not always feasible.
General information: Call 818-222-4531, or e-mail us at mail@smmtc.org. If you can't reach the leader call Burt Elliott at 805-338-7150.
BRING: water, lunch, work gloves, long sleeve shirt and eye protection. Sturdy shoes or boots and long pants required. See training video on this page for more information. We provide trail maintenance tools such as McLeods, Pulaskis, loppers, saws & mattocks.

JOIN US for four maintenance outings and you will receive an SMMTC T-shirt! Eight outings and you'll receive Milt McAuley's book Hiking Trails of the Santa Monica Mountains!

Training and Safety Video

To view low-resolution version, click play button below, or, click here for alternate higher-resolution version (links to external website).

Video from Tri-Peaks Trail, January 7, 2011

This video also gives an idea of what to expect on a trailwork day. (Although we don't often have help from the Gator!) Filmed by Burt Elliott.

More Volunteer Opportunities

Channel Islands Trail Maintenance

Each year we coordinate with Channel Island NPS to arrange some trail work trips to the islands, usually Santa Cruz Island. Some prior trail work experience is desired. If you are interested in learning more about these trips please contact Jerry Mitcham directly at (818) 406-1269.

Special Projects

Other volunteer projects, unscheduled at this time, may be conducted in the Santa Monica Mountains NRA and Channel Islands National Park. Special projects might be arranged for school or corporate groups interested in performing trail maintenance or other volunteering efforts as public service projects. If you are interested in arranging a special project, please contact Burt Elliott at 805-338-7150 or email us at mail@smmtc.org.