ADK Adopt a Lean-to Program

General Duties of Lean-to Adopters

 

  • Visit lean-to at least twice during the year.
  • Clean leaves and dirt from roof and away from contact with base logs.
  • Remove any dangerous nails.
  • Sweep out and clean lean-to.
  • Maintain adequate drainage away from lean-to site.
  • Clean the water source, especially if it is a spring.
  • Remove trash and debris, and pack out those items you can not, or should not, burn.
  • Sweep and clean privy, and put a layer of leaves or other organic material on waste in privy.
  • Check condition of trail and report bad blowdown and missing signs to Matt McNamara, ADK Trails Coordinator (contact information below) who will forward it to the appropriate DEC contact person.
  • Report the need for repairs of the lean-to.  This would include the foundation, floor, walls, and roof; and whether you could make the repairs if materials were supplied to the site.  Please notify Matt for possible new requirements regarding such work.
  • Clean and repair the fire ring at lean-tos not in the Eastern High Peaks Zone.  PLEASE NOTE:  The High Peaks Unit Management Plan now bans fires in the Eastern High Peaks Zone – “that portion of the High Peaks Wilderness Area located to the east of the ridge line immediately west of the Indian Pass Trail.”  There are to be no fire rings at lean-tos in the Eastern High Peaks Zone.
  • Outside the Eastern High Peaks Zone, leave a supply of firewood in a dry place.  (Optional)
  • If privy is full, contact Matt for details.  PLEASE NOTE:  Moving a privy site is a group effort and requires DEC approval.
  • The lean-to register should be in a protective bag (large heavy-duty baggie) with a few pens and/or pencils.  The register is to be left in the lean-to all year.  Report any information in the register that might be of interest or use to ADK or DEC.  Please notify Matt whenever the register is damaged, missing, or needs to be replaced:  Matt McNamara, ADK Trails Coordinator, PO Box 867, Lake Placid, NY 12946; 518-523-3480; trails@adk.org.  He will provide you with a new register.  Please return the old register to Matt.
  • Return required reports sent to you.  These include:  (1) the year-end summary form after your last work visit for the year, and (2) agreement to adopt lean-to for next year to John Schneider, Volunteer Coordinator, if you wish to readopt for next year.  These forms will be sent to you by October.
  • Enjoy the woods.