Where You’ll Be:
On this project, you'll join us just outside of Granby to work on a rare trail system reserved for hikers and equestrians. Unlike many nearby trails, this landscape does not allow off-highway vehicles or mountain bikes, because the BLM has designated it as part of the Headwaters Extensive Recreation Management Area (ERMA), which aims to prioritize resource protection and low-impact recreation.
Although impacted by the East Troublesome Wildfire in 2020, the area remains a meaningful destination for outdoor recreation. The hike to the worksite is moderately challenging and offers scenic views without wearing you out before the workday begins. This project is close to the town of Granby, Grand Lake, and the town of Hot Sulfur Springs.
What You’ll Do:
In 2025, VOC and BLM partnered on a successful weekend project to install tread-stability structures along the first mile of the trail up to the hogback summit. On the west side of the Hogback, trail users have created a steep shortcut that abandons the original alignment and is unsafe and unsuitable for equestrian use. One of the primary goals of the Headwaters ERMA is to provide safe hiking and equestrian access for the general public.
VOC volunteers will help expand, define, and finish the reroute. This project offers a hands-on opportunity to learn introductory trail construction skills while contributing to a long-term solution.
- 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:
The Headwaters ERMA area has very few official access points and the Hogback Trail in its current condition is not sustainable or safe for users. Improvement of this trail will allow greater access by the public and other user groups to access this spectacular recreational opportunity in a more safe manner.
The Hogback Trail and surrounding ERMA are located within the East Troublesome wildfire burn scar, where soil degradation and erosion remain ongoing concerns. The BLM's Kremmling Field Office is working to stabilize damaged trail segments and restore this area to a higher standard than before the fire. Your work directly supports those efforts.
Eligibility Requirements:
Ages 16+
For overnight projects, all youth under 18 must be accompanied by an adult aged 21 or older.
Project Difficulty:
This project is considered moderate to difficult; please check our difficulty rating criteria here for more details.
General physical considerations for participating on this project. Some or all may apply: moderate lifting and tool use; digging, shoveling, moving soil and rocks; repetitive bending, lifting, and walking; may require hiking to access work site while carrying tools; you can expect to bend over, pick objects up, move rocks, carry tools, swing heavy tools, dig, and stretch.
Access Factors:
Vehicle Access: Parking is available and accessible to all vehicle types. The worksite will be a 5 minute drive from the campsite.
Other Notes: The worksite will be a 1 mile hike from the trailhead. There is cell service at the site. While the project takes place below tree line, it is located within the East Troublesome burn scar so the area is very exposed.
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).
Want to learn more about the trail maintenance techniques you will use on this project? Join us for a Trail Skills training in Granby on the Friday before the project. Learn more and register here.
