Where You’ll Be:
The Mount Zirkel Wilderness was designated in 1964 as one of the original Wilderness areas protected under the Wilderness Act. Located in northwestern Colorado and managed by the U.S. Forest Service, the wilderness spans nearly 160,000 acres. It includes the headwaters of the Elk, Encampment, and North Platte Rivers, around 70 alpine lakes, and high mountain terrain, including Mount Zirkel at 12,180 feet. The area straddles the Continental Divide and includes parts of the Sawtooth, Park, and Sierra Madre ranges, along with a section of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail.
Nearest Town: Walden, CO 80480
The specific location will be shared with all registered volunteers 2 weeks before the project.
What You’ll Do:
Volunteers will help repair an aging boardwalk, approximately 140 feet long, to keep the structure in working condition until the trail can be rerouted. Volunteers will also assist in critical trail maintenance tasks in the surrounding area.
Camping will be available starting on Thursday, August 6th. Bring your own dinner on Thursday night, and enough snacks for the project.
Free campsites are available from Thursday, 8/6 - Saturday, 8/8, and volunteers are encouraged to arrive at base camp before 8 pm on Thursday.
For this three-day project, VOC provides breakfast, lunch, and dinner on Friday and Saturday, and breakfast and lunch on Sunday.
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:
The trail maintenance tasks and structure replacement completed on this project will increase the trail's recreational and intrinsic value by addressing overgrowth of vegetation, removing potential hazards, and reducing damage to the existing riparian area. Additionally, it will restore and protect the adjacent natural resources, enhance the trail's sustainability, and provide suitable trail conditions for users.
Eligibility Requirements:
Ages 18+
Project Difficulty:
This project is considered moderate to difficult; please check our difficulty rating criteria here for more details.
General physical considerations for participating in this project (Some or all may apply): working in or near water; muddy or slippery footing; digging, shoveling, and moving soil and rocks; hiking on steep or uneven terrain; and carrying, hauling, and placing heavy materials such as timber or rocks.
There is a one-mile hike from the trailhead to the project site, and volunteers may carry structural materials (timber) during the hike.
Access Factors:
Vehicle Access: 2WD vehicles can access the trailhead/camping area
Other Notes: Camping will be a 8 minute drive to the trailhead. Volunteers will carpool from the campsite to the trailhead to access the project site. There are no bathroom facilities on site. We will use either port-o-lets or a backcountry portable toilet set-up.
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).
