But that was the problem Umstead State Park faced last year on National Trails Day, a day set aside every year (traditionally the first Saturday in June; June 7 this year) where hikers and bikers give a little something back to the trails they love.

"We had more people than we expected show up," says the park's Betty Anderson of last year's Trails Day event.

"Last year we kind of overwhelmed [them]," adds James Smith with REI in Cary, which supplied Umstead with Trails Day volunteers.

Actually, it wasn't that there were too many volunteers. It was that there were more volunteers than projects were planned for. First rule of thumb if you plan to participate in one of the seven events scheduled locally: Call and let the organizers know you're coming.

National Trails Day was launched by the American Hiking Society in 1993. In part it was in response to President Reagan's call six years earlier for a trail within 15 minutes of every American's front door. By last year, hundreds of thousands of trail lovers -- more than 90,000 rolled up their sleeves (and applied bug spray) for REI-sponsored events alone -- turned out for more than 1,100 events nationwide. Some simply celebrate trails with a walk, hike or ride; most events involve grabbing a shovel or rake and blazing a new trail or sprucing up an existing path.

For instance, this year REI Cary has teamed with the nearby Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve for two projects.

"They have a huge volume of mulch that needs to be spread," says Smith. (Mulch, fyi, isn't heavy but looks impressive, guys, when you're pushing a brimming wheelbarrow of it. Especially when your arms are busting out of your new freebie "Get Dirty" volunteer T-shirt.)

They'll also be installing an experimental strainer on Swift Creek to nab debris floating down the river. Sweat and science -- can't beat that.

The REI-sponsored event runs from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. If you want to stick around and work more, Hemlock Bluffs is more than happy to oblige: The park is having an extended workday from 1 to 3 p.m.

"Volunteers have a huge impact on our operation," says the preserve's Joy Logan.

Calling ahead is a good idea, too, because different projects have different needs and demands. Some, for instance, request that you bring appropriate tools. Others are deep in the woods and advise packing water and appropriate deep woods paraphernalia.

Another good reason to let them know you'll be there, at least in the case of REI events?

"It helps us figure out how many meals to prepare," says REI's Smith.

Free food?

See you there.