Closed! Historic Railroad Logging in the Zuni Mountains, Part II
NM-4236
May 4-8, 2015
Must commit to full session
Between 1890 and 1930, hardy and hopeful pioneers worked to eke out a living in the rough and rugged Zuni Mountains of western New Mexico. They made a series of attempts to develop an organized, capital-intensive lumber industry in the area. A railroad network was established to bring logs to nearby mills, which in turn shipped lumber and wood products to markets as distant as California, Colorado and Missouri. The logging industry ultimately failed due to unstable markets and dwindling resources, and the lumbermen closed their mills, pulled up their railroad tracks and left, presumably for greener forests. The legacy of this logging lifeway persists in the railroad remnants those tough pioneers left behind.
This year, PIT volunteers and FS staff will, once again, hike into the beautiful Zuni Mountains to continue documentation of rock cuts, trestles, bridges, culverts, earthen fills, and other railroad features. Join us this summer for another hike back in time through the Cibola's logging railroad history!
Number of openings: 10
Special skills: Must be physically capable of hiking long distances each day over moderate to difficult terrain, at elevations between 7,000 and 8,500 feet, and in a variety of weather conditions; previous archaeological survey, mapping, photography, and/or GPS skills helpful, but not required
Minimum age: 18 years old
Facilities: Primitive tent camping near project area; potable water provided by FS; no other services; volunteers responsible for personal camping equipment, meals, and transportation to initial meeting area.
Nearest towns: Thoreau, 8 miles
Applications due: March 23, 2015