Where You’ll Be:
Mount Democrat, at 14,148 feet and Colorado's 29th-highest peak, is part of the Mosquito Range, along with 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 because of its high-elevation start, but it is rated a Class 2 climb.
Nearest Town: Alma, CO 80424
The specific location will be shared with all registered volunteers 2 weeks before the project.
What You’ll Do:
Volunteers will assist with reconstructing portions of the trail above Kite Lake that have been widening and braiding at an excessive rate. Installing timber check steps will reduce 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 perform other maintenance tasks. The trailhead is at 12,000 ft of elevation (above tree line). Volunteers can expect to hike ~1.5 mi from the trailhead to the project site.
VOC provides breakfast and lunch on Saturday and Sunday, and dinner on Saturday. Bring your own dinner on Friday night, and enough snacks for the weekend.
Free campsites are available on Friday and Saturday nights, and volunteers are encouraged to arrive 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!
Why It Matters:
Your hard work will help protect and preserve 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.
General physical considerations for participating on this project (Some or all may apply): long hike to worksite with significant elevation gain; carrying project tools and materials to worksite; digging, shoveling, moving soil and rocks; repetitive bending, lifting heavy objects, and walking; working at elevation; working and hiking on steep or uneven terrain.
This project is not for the faint of heart.
The hike from the campsite to the worksite is up to 1.5 miles. Volunteers may be hauling project materials up the trail to the worksite (logs for structures) at high altitude.
Access Factors:
Vehicle Accessibility: Moderate to high clearance vehicles are required to access the campsite. Volunteers will shuttle 4 miles from the campsite to the trailhead.
Other Notes: This is a remote project. Cell service is limited to nonexistent.
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).
