Service - working vacations

Sierra, Jan, 2000

Give something back to our valued public lands. Service Trips accomplish work that would otherwise go undone and allow ample time to enjoy the wilderness on your own. You couldn't ask for a better work environment! No previous experience is required; we'll show you how it's done. So many projects to choose from--building and maintaining trails, revegetating overused areas, assisting wildlife researchers, and mapping archaeological sites. And the food? Expect hearty meals--the staff usually includes a cook, and many cater to vegetarians.

Santa Catalina Island Service, California. January 22-29. Spend a beautiful week on an island working with the Catalina Island Conservancy. Help with various ecological restoration projects while camping among native oaks, lemonade berries, and wildlife. Leader: Maura Eagan. Cook: Charlie Reimann. Price: $395; Dep: $50. [00440A]

Paria Canyon Archaeology, Arizona. March 10-18. Backpack the length of the beautiful and enchanted Paria Canyon. Discover and document ancient Indian rock art, Hardy explorers, artists, and map makers wanted, Small group size. Leader; Marietta Tretter. Price: $495; Dep: $50. [00441A]

El Yunque, Caribbean Forest, Puerto Rico. March 19-25. Maintain trails in a mountainous tropical rainforest, Clean and repair picnic areas, Dormitory lodging. Free days to visit old San Juan, Some meals not included. Leader: Jim Sconyers. Price: $690; Dep: $100. [00442A]

Reclaiming the Rosillos, Big Bend Park, Texas. March 19-25. Enjoy the rugged, wild beauty of the Chihuahuan Desert from our backcountry base camp. We'll hike to old fence lines and remove the wires. Our efforts will restore the natural movements of wildlife. Leader: Lisa Mendelson. Price: $330; Dep: $50. [00095A]

Superstition Wilderness Desert Springtime, Tonto Forest, Arizona. March 19-25. Working from our wilderness base camp, we'll reroute a damaged trail with time off to hike, explore 12th-century cliff dwellings, or photograph wildflowers blooming in the desert. Leader: Bruce Ackerman. Price: $325; Dep: $50. [00443A]

Kanab Creek Wilderness, North Rim, Grand Canyon Park, Arizona. March 20-26. The marvelous maze of canyons created by the biggest tributary of the Grand Canyon is rugged and unique. We'll repair steep trail and explore secret spots on our days off. Leader: Deborah Northcutt. Price: $325; Dep: $50. [00085A]

Buenos Aires Service Trip, Rancho de la Osa, Buenos Aires Wildlife Refuge, Arizona. April 8-15. See the Lodge section on page 93 for more information. Leader: Susan Estes. Price: $1,325; Dep: $200. [00070A]

Archaeology in the Redrock Canyons, Coconino Forest, Arizona. April 9-15. This cultural service trip explores the redrock canyons of the Verde Valley where we'll continue to discover, identify, and document American Indian petroglyphs and pictographs. Join us! Leader: Sue Korn. Price: $350; Dep: $50. [00086A]

Capitol Reef Backpack and Service, Capitol Reef Park, Utah. April 9-15. We'll backpack through spectacular remote canyons working on removal of exotic vegetation, and habitat restoration, admiring and identifying the abundant wildflowers along the way. For experienced backpackers. Primarily vegetarian menu. Leader: Jeffrey Black, Price: $345; Dep: $50, [00087A]

Redrock Trails, Coconino Forest, Arizona. April 9-15. From our base camp on the edge of West Clear Creek Wilderness, we'll improve trails amid scenic canyons, redrock formations, and forested mountains. Ample time for dayhiking and photography. Leaders: Dan Frankel and Benny Nasser Price: $325; Dep: $50. [00088A]

Wilderness Restoration, Tapoco Lodge, Nantahala Forest, North Carolina. April 9-15. Spend spring days hiking in this gorgeous eastern wilderness to develop and restore trails. Return daily to the comfort of a 1930s-built mountain lodge with home-cooked meals. Leader: Jeanne Downing. Price: $645; Dep: $100. [00089A]

Wild and Scenic Snake River, Hells Canyon Recreation Area, Idaho. April 16-22. Come experience spring along the Snake River while we perform trail maintenence. Attractions include bighorn sheep, mountain goats, elk, historic McGaffee Cabin, and river boat transportation to our campsite. Leader: Vernon Cook. Price: $345; Dep: $50. [00090A]

Easter on Santa Cruz Island, Channel Islands, California. April 17-24. Enjoy Easter vacation working on ranch maintenance from Prisoner's Harbor to the Pelican Bay Trail with the Nature Conservancy Trip includes boat from Ventura and bunking in rustic cabins. Leader: Mary Kraybill. Price: $490; Dep: $50. [00091A]

Spring in the Grand Canyon, Grand Canyon Park, Arizona. April 23-29. Restore native vegetation at the Grand Canyon's South Rim. Time off to hike and observe the signs of spring. Alternative projects may be at Lee's Ferry or in the canyon. Leaders: Larry Keller and Bruce Kanarek. Price: $345; Dep: $50. [00300A]

Springtime Arches, Arches Park, Utah. April 23-29. Arches in springtime finery and cowboy cooks to feed us. From our roadhead base camp, projects may include trail work and exotic vegetation removal. Challenges for beginners and veterans alike. Leader: Linda Thibodeaux. Price: $310; Dep: $50. [00092A]