As a Volunteer Wilderness Ranger, have you ever thought about patrolling an unfamiliar trail, only to end up choosing a trail you’ve hiked previously? Maybe you were concerned about locating the trailhead, or about the condition of the access road and whether there would be adequate parking. Perhaps you wondered if the trail would be hard to follow or overly challenging, or you worried that you didn’t know the trail well enough to talk to the public about it. If so, the ‘Learn A New Trail’ program could be for you!
In this new (2025) program, any VWR can volunteer to lead a ‘Learn a New Trail’ hike on a trail they know and love. Up to nine additional VWRs can join the leader to learn the ins and outs of that trail. If slots are available, guests who are interested in becoming VWRs are also welcome.
These hikes will not count toward the four-patrol requirement for the leader or the participants, and as such you won’t be in uniform and interacting with the public. Instead, you’ll get to know a new trail, and become better acquainted with some of your fellow VWRs. Getting together after the hike for more chat time is encouraged!
For more information about volunteering to lead a ‘Learn a New Trail’ hike, contact Mike Weeda at MikeLWeeda@gmail.com. After going over the details with you, an event will be set up in the ESWA calendar so other VWRs can sign up for your hike. And check out the new Learn A New Trail page in the VWR section of our website.
Forthcoming editions of the ESWA Newsletter will note upcoming ‘Learn a New Trail’ hikes. Of course you can always check out the ESWA calendar to see what's coming up.
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