Since 1920, the DOC and OPO have hired a team of students to spend 10 weeks performing high-quality, technical trail work on our backcountry trails and shelters. These crews provide students an opportunity to learn the ins and outs of analyzing, planning, and executing trail projects to increase trail quality and climate resilience. Previous projects have included:

• Building backcountry staircases and other erosion-control structures out of native stone
• Building ADA-accessible privies 
• Improving and constructing drainage structures on steep, wet trails
• Performing construction work and repairs on backcountry shelters
• Building wooden bridges and puncheons over streams and waterlogged sections of trail

See last year's impact reports from our work on the Kodak Trail on Mt. Cube and the Gorge Brook Trail on Mt. Moosilauke. 

Formerly part of the DOC Trail Crew, Cabin Crew became an independent crew in 2023, when five students spent 10 weeks redoing the foundation of John Rand Cabin. Since then, the Cabin Crew's scope has expanded to work on all nine DOC cabins outside of the Second College Grant, and the three DOC cabins inside the Grant. Under the guidance of OPO's Facilities Manager, Cabin Crew performs maintenance and construction projects including:

• Installing rooftop solar panels on each of the DOC cabins
• Carpentry projects, such as building new stairs at Armington Cabin and porch railings at Great Bear Cabin
• Bucking, splitting, and stacking firewood, and building new woodsheds in the Grant
• Clearing hazard trees and maintaining views
• Building boardwalks at the Armington Cabin to improve waterfront access
• Maintaining the roads and parking areas for walk-up cabins
• Performing general maintenance and cleaning tasks, like restaining cabin exteriors, repairing insulation, cleaning dishes and cookware, and restocking supplies

The Moosilauke Alpine Steward Program started in 2006 with the creation of the David Heald Memorial Alpine Steward Endowment. These early stewards were part-time rotating members of the Trail Crew. In 2021, the Alpine Steward was transitioned into a full-time position with a focus on research, stewardship and education in the alpine ecosystem of Mt. Moosilauke. Current and previous Alpine Steward projects include:

• Educating day- and thru-hikers about Leave No Trace and alpine ecosystems
  Tracking long-term trends in alpine vegetation as it pertains to local climate changes and generating reports
• Collaborating with researchers and Alpine Stewards on other mountains to compare alpine environments across the Northeast
• Performing trail maintenance and installing low-impact solutions to mitigate erosion and damage to alpine vegetation
• Designing a “junior ranger” activity booklet for youth to learn about alpine ecology on the mountain
• Working to install a weather station on the south summit of Mt. Moosilauke to collect meteorological data
• Conducting photo point monitoring to visualize changes in vegetation growth and erosion on summit trails by comparing archival photographs to present-day conditions
• Creating films and short-form video content documenting the Moosilauke alpine ecosystem and Alpine Steward work

Check out this cinematic short film produced by Tobin Yates ‘26, the 2025 Alpine Steward, documenting his summer on the Mt. Moosilauke:

Each fall and spring, C&T students organize a work weekend on Mt. Moosilauke for students and alumni. These work weekends are an opportunity for students to connect with alumni of all class years, learn and practice critical trail maintenance skills, and build a deep sense of place through stewardship and community. Work groups reconvene at the Moosilauke Ravine Lodge in the evening for a shared meal and community-building.

Interested in participating? The next Student-Alum Work Weekend will be hosted on the Sunday of Homecoming, October 4th, 2026. Reach out to Cabin and Trail for more details and registration information.