Spend a week in the scenic Maine woods this summer working and camping on the Appalachian Trail. The Maine Crew, sponsored by the Maine Appalachian Trail Club and the Appalachian Trail Conservancy is based in Central Maine. Projects are located along 280 miles of the Appalachian Trail, and most involve reconstruction and rockwork. Projects are supervised by crew leaders under the direction of modern trail-work pioneer Lester Kenway.
Crew Life
Field Life and Working Conditions
Click for more information on working conditions and crew life in the field.
Base Camp
The Maine Trail Crew base camp is an old farmstead in the town of Garland, 30 miles west of Bangor. Crews stay in wall tents at the base camp when they are not out working on the Trail. The farmhouse serves as kitchen, dining, and social area. Showers and a laundry are available in town; swimming is available at nearby public beaches.
Crew Week
The Maine Crew work week is Saturday to Wednesday. Crew members arrive on Friday afternoon before their scheduled work week for a crew dinner and program orientation. Multiple week volunteers can stay at the base camp on off-days, easily travel to nearby Katahdin or Acadia National Park for recreation.
Sample Projects
See project descriptions below or download the Maine Trail Crew brochure.
Apply Today
Alumni Volunteers
If you have volunteered on a crew already register here for the Maine Trail Crew.
New Volunteers
If this is your first time on a Trail Crew, register here and we'll contact you with more information.
Give us a call at (540) 953-3571 or email crews@appalachiantrail.org with any questions.
| Current Schedule Project Description |
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Week One
Saturday 6/26 to
Wednesday 6/30
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Crew 1: Erosion Control - Stone Waterbars on Bigelow Mountain
The 20 mile long Bigelow Range is often called “Maine’s second Mountain” (second only to Katahdin). This mountain is the centerpiece of the 36,000 acre Bigelow Preserve. This project is located part-way up the south side of Bigelow. Hand tools such as mattocks, shovels, and pry bars will be used to build waterbars that will divert water from the trail. The crew will car camp near a pond, and make 1-1/2 mile day hikes to the work site.
Difficulty: Moderate
Crew 2: Erosion Control - stone steps / waterbars on Nesuntabunt Mountain
Nesuntabunt Mt. is a modest hike with extraordinary views of Nahmakanta Lake and Katahdin. The work will involve hand tools such as mattocks, shovels, pry bars and Griphoists to move rocks and make steps. The crew will car camp near a pond, and make 1 mile day hikes to the work site
Difficulty: Moderate
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Week Two
Monday 7/5 to
Wednesday 7/7
**This is a short week due to the July 4th holiday.
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Crew 1: Erosion Control - Stone Waterbars on Bigelow Mountain
The 20 mile long Bigelow Range is often called “Maine’s second Mountain” (second only to Katahdin). This mountain is the centerpiece of the 36,000 acre Bigelow Preserve. This project is located part-way up the south side of Bigelow. Hand tools such as mattocks, shovels, and pry bars will be used to build waterbars that will divert water from the trail. The crew will car camp near a pond, and make 1-1/2 mile day hikes to the work site.
Difficulty: Moderate
Crew 2: Erosion Control - stone steps / waterbars on Nesuntabunt Mountain
Nesuntabunt Mt. is a modest hike with extraordinary views of Nahmakanta Lake and Katahdin. The work will involve hand tools such as mattocks, shovels, pry bars and Griphoists to move rocks and make steps. The crew will car camp near a pond, and make 1 mile day hikes to the work site
Difficulty: Moderate
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Week Three
Saturday 7/10 to
Wednesday 7/14
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Crew 1: Rock Waterbars and Steps on West Baldpate Mountain
West Baldpate Mt. forms the eastern side of Grafton Notch. The crew will build rock waterbars and steps to reconstruct the trail. The crew will use Griphoist equipment and hand tools such as mattocks, shovels, and pry bars to move rocks into position along the trail. The crew will backpack 2 miles up the mountain to a campsite, and then hike 3/4 mile farther up to the work site.
Difficulty: Most Difficult
Crew 2: Rock Steps and Waterbars on Katahdin - The Hunt Trail
Katadin’s Hunt trail is the final 5 miles of the Appalachian Trail and suffers from severe erosion. The crew will be building waterbars and steps between Katahdin Falls and “The Cave”. Hand tools and Griphoist gear will be used to gather rocks and put them in the right places. The crew will stay in a Baxter State Park Campground and hike up to 2 miles to the worksite each day.
Difficulty: Moderate
Note: Volunteers are welcome to spend all three weeks at Baxter State Park and enjoy some of the best hiking to be found anywhere on their days off!
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Week Four
Saturday 7/17 to
Wednesday 7/21
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Crew 1: Rock Waterbars and Steps on West Baldpate Mountain
West Baldpate Mt. forms the eastern side of Grafton Notch. The crew will build rock waterbars and steps to reconstruct the trail. The crew will use Griphoist equipment and hand tools such as mattocks, shovels, and pry bars to move rocks into position along the trail. The crew will backpack 2 miles up the mountain to a campsite, and then hike 3/4 mile farther up to the work site.
Difficulty: Most Difficult
Crew 2: Rock Steps and Waterbars on Katahdin - The Hunt Trail
Katadin’s Hunt trail is the final 5 miles of the Appalachian Trail and suffers from severe erosion. The crew will be building waterbars and steps between Katahdin Falls and “The Cave”. Hand tools and Griphoist gear will be used to gather rocks and put them in the right places. The crew will stay in a Baxter State Park Campground and hike up to 2 miles to the worksite each day.
Difficulty: Moderate
Note: Volunteers are welcome to spend all three weeks at Baxter State Park and enjoy some of the best hiking to be found anywhere on their days off!
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Week Five
Saturday 7/24 to Wednesday 7/28
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Crew 1: Rock Waterbars and Steps on West Baldpate Mountain
West Baldpate Mt. forms the eastern side of Grafton Notch. The crew will build rock waterbars and steps to reconstruct the trail. The crew will use Griphoist equipment and hand tools such as mattocks, shovels, and pry bars to move rocks into position along the trail. The crew will backpack 2 miles up the mountain to a campsite, and then hike 3/4 mile farther up to the work site.
Difficulty: Most Difficult
Crew 2: Rock Steps and Waterbars on Katahdin - The Hunt Trail
Katadin’s Hunt trail is the final 5 miles of the Appalachian Trail and suffers from severe erosion. The crew will be building waterbars and steps between Katahdin Falls and “The Cave”. Hand tools and Griphoist gear will be used to gather rocks and put them in the right places. The crew will stay in a Baxter State Park Campground and hike up to 2 miles to the worksite each day.
Difficulty: Moderate
Note: Volunteers are welcome to spend all three weeks at Baxter State Park and enjoy some of the best hiking to be found anywhere on their days off!
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Week Six
Saturday 7/31 to
Wednesday 8/4
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Crew 1: Erosion Control on West Peak of White Cap Mountain
West Peak is one of the highest summits on White Cap Mt. The Crew will be building rock steps, waterbars, and a short relocation. Hand tools and Griphoist gear will be used to place rocks in the trail. The crew will backpack 3-1/2 miles up the mountain to a ridge top campsite.
Difficulty: Most Difficult
Crew 2: Erosion Control on Old Blue Mountain
Old Blue Mountain features one of the most sustained climbs along the trail in Maine. The team will build rock waterbars and and rock steps on the first steep climb out of Blad Brook Notch. The crew will use a Griphoist and tools such as mattocks, shovels, and pry bars to move rocks into position along the trail. The crew will car camp in the valley and hike 1/2 mile up the mountain the work site.
Difficulty: Moderate
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Week Seven
Saturday 8/7 to
Wednesday 8/11
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Crew 1: Erosion Control on West Peak of White Cap Mountain
West Peak is one of the highest summits on White Cap Mt. The Crew will be building rock steps, waterbars, and a short relocation. Hand tools and Griphoist gear will be used to place rocks in the trail. The crew will backpack 3-1/2 miles up the mountain to a ridge top campsite.
Difficulty: Most Difficult
Crew 2: Erosion Control on Old Blue Mountain
Old Blue Mountain features one of the most sustained climbs along the trail in Maine. The team will build rock waterbars and and rock steps on the first steep climb out of Blad Brook Notch. The crew will use a Griphoist and tools such as mattocks, shovels, and pry bars to move rocks into position along the trail. The crew will car camp in the valley and hike 1/2 mile up the mountain the work site.
Difficulty: Moderate
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Week Eight
Saturday 8/14 to
Wednesday 8/18
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Crew 1: Erosion Control on West Peak of White Cap Mountain
West Peak is one of the highest summits on White Cap Mt. The Crew will be building rock steps, waterbars, and a short relocation. Hand tools and Griphoist gear will be used to place rocks in the trail. The crew will backpack 3-1/2 miles up the mountain to a ridge top campsite.
Difficulty: Most Difficult
Crew 2: Erosion Control on Old Blue Mountain
Old Blue Mountain features one of the most sustained climbs along the trail in Maine. The team will build rock waterbars and and rock steps on the first steep climb out of Blad Brook Notch. The crew will use a Griphoist and tools such as mattocks, shovels, and pry bars to move rocks into position along the trail. The crew will car camp in the valley and hike 1/2 mile up the mountain the work site.
Difficulty: Moderate
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