Where You'll Be:
Known as the "Switzerland of America" and the "Outdoor Recreation Capital of Colorado," Ouray is a breathtaking destination nestled in the heart of the San Juan Mountains. This unique volunteer opportunity offers a chance to explore one of Colorado’s most stunning landscapes.
The Uncompahgre River Walk is a 2-mile loop trail that follows the Uncompahgre River at the north end of town. Users enjoy the peacefulness of the nearby flowing river and views of the waterfalls. This trail is open to hikers, bikers, and cross-country skiers in the winter.
What You'll Do:
The Uncompahgre River Walk trail is a crushed-gravel trail in need of maintenance. Volunteers will spread crushed gravel with rakes along about 300 feet of trail and tamp it down to ensure proper compaction. This work will revitalize the trail and make it more enjoyable to walk on. In addition, volunteers will restore 2,600 feet of old fencing that delineates public from private property.
- 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:
Resurfacing the trail with fresh crushed gravel improves the trail's quality by smoothing areas that have worn down and are now prone to drainage issues. It will ultimately provide a cleaner, smoother surface that will offer all foot traffic a more comfortable and enjoyable experience. The restored fencing will improve the demarcation between public and private land, keeping users in the proper area.
Eligibility Requirements:
Ages 16+
For overnight projects, all youth under 18 must be accompanied by an adult aged 21 or older.
Physical Considerations:
This project is considered moderate; please check our difficulty rating criteria here for more details.
General physical considerations for participating in this project (Some or all may apply): moderate lifting and tool use; shoveling and raking material; repetitive bending, lifting, and walking; may require hiking to access work site while carrying tools; you can expect to bend over, pick objects up, carry tools, and stretch.
Access Factors:
Vehicle Access: 2WD accessible
Other Notes: The project site will be a 1/4-to 1/2-mile walk or a quick drive from the campsite. Restrooms will be nearby.
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).
If you enjoy trail maintenance projects, you can view similar projects here.
