Reprinted from The Questa Ranger District - US Forest Service
Questa District Ranger Adam LaDell last night honored an individual and a group for volunteering to clear thousands of fallen trees from trails and roads around Red River, NM. The trees fell during the December 15, 2021, snow squall. All told, an estimated 11,000 trees have so far been cleared.
Justin Brandenburg individually cleared an estimated 950 trees in the Lost Lake area, including from the trails to Middle Fork Lake and Lost Lake. A group of about 35 individuals from the Red River Off-Road Coalition have cleared an estimated 10,000 trees from various Forest roads around Red River, such as Midnight Meadows, Greenie Peak and Goose Lake.
“These areas would have not been open to the public this past summer if it were not for the amazing efforts of these local volunteers,” said LaDell. “This is a great example of shared stewardship between the national forest and the public, and I welcome more groups to engage with us to get work done on the ground.”
Efforts will continue into next year to clear trees, including from the East Fork Trail and spur roads on Greenie Peak.
