Where You’ll Be:
Mount Democrat, standing at 14,148 feet and Colorado's 29th highest peak, is part of the Mosquito Range alongside Mount Bross, Mount Cameron, and Mount Lincoln. The U.S. Forest Service recently acquired nearly 300 acres on Mt. Democrat, making the DeCaLiBron loop completely open to the public, for all to enjoy! Many underestimate this trail as an “easy” hike due to the high elevation start, but this is rated a Class 2 climb.
What You’ll Do:
Volunteers will assist with reconstructing portions of the trail above Kite Lake that have been widening and braiding at excessive rates of change. Installation of timber check steps will control soil loss and keep hikers on the trail. You'll work with our partners at Colorado Fourteeners Initiative (CFI) to install timber checks, delineate trails, and other maintenance tasks. The trailhead is at 12,000 ft of elevation (above tree line). Volunteers can expect to hike ~1 mi from the trailhead to the project site.
Breakfast and lunch are provided on Saturday and Sunday, along with dinner on Saturday.
Bring your own dinner for Friday night and enough snacks for the weekend.
Free campsites are available on Friday and Saturday nights, and we recommend arriving at base camp before 8 PM on Friday.
Support This Project as a Crew Chef Helper!
We provide full meals on our overnight projects to ensure volunteers are well-fed and ready for a day of volunteering — and we could use your help to make it happen!
View this document to learn more about how to support and sign up!
Your hard work will contribute to the protection and preservation of Colorado's high peaks and the sensitive alpine ecosystems found there. Alpine soil takes approximately 1,000 years to develop just one inch, making sustainable trails essential to minimizing erosion and preserving these fragile environments for future generations.
Eligibility Requirements:
Ages 18+
Project Difficulty:
This project is considered difficult. Check our difficulty rating criteria here for more details.
Physical Considerations: May include hiking with tools, performing rock work, and constructing timber steps. You can expect to bend over, squat, lift heavy objects, dig, reach, stretch, lean, rotate, and engage many muscle groups all while at a high elevation. This project is not for the faint of heart!
Access Factors:
Vehicle Accessibility: 2WD Accessible – no vehicle restrictions
Join us in reducing our carbon footprint by carpooling!
Click here to sign up for the carpool (please do this after registering for the project).
