This isn't just routine maintenance—it's an intricate operation. With the precision of seasoned professionals, crew members guide the massive rock into place to build historically accurate, durable steps. The crew doesn’t just fix trails; they shape the very experience of the park, ensuring that paths are safe, accessible, and protected from erosion. It’s grueling, backbreaking work—carrying heavy logs up steep hills, digging into rocky terrain, and crafting steps that withstand the test of time. And most visitors don’t give it a second thought.

But without these workers, there would be no trails. The physically demanding labor of trail crew members is often unseen, but it’s essential for making public lands accessible to hikers like you. It’s the true backbone of outdoor recreation—and yet, the federal government has just fired two of these dedicated workers at Acadia National Park. Colby, the one in the yellow helmet, is among them.