Where You’ll Be:
This project is along the scenic Guanella Pass Byway, offering opportunities for wildlife viewing, hiking, mountain biking, and access to 4-wheel drive roads. The Abyss Trail trailhead is about 5 miles north of Grant from Hwy 285. This trail is one of the most heavily used trails in the Mt Evans Wilderness. With 10,000+ annual visitors, it leads hikers through famous fall colors and scenic landscapes.
The trail's endpoint is Abyss Lake, which is nestled in a glacial cirque surrounded by Mount Bierstadt and Mount Blue Sky. The surrounding rocky slopes are home to lots of wildlife familiar to those who enjoy exploring the mountains, such as bighorn sheep and mountain goats.
Nearest Town: Grant, CO 80421
The specific location will be shared with all registered volunteers 2 weeks before the project.
What You’ll Do:
This project focuses on the lower three miles of the Abyss Trail, which follows an old logging road. The trail here is mostly flat, but the tread is very wide, often 10 to 25 feet across, and continues to spread into the surrounding forest. Because the soil is mostly loose, sandy material left by glaciers, rain and snowmelt easily wash it downhill toward nearby streams.
Volunteers will help slow this erosion by building a series of rock check dams across the trail. These low stone structures are designed to hold sand in place, reduce water flow, and stabilize the trail surface.
Tasks may include:
- gathering and moving rock,
- shaping the trail surface,
- and placing stones by hand to form sturdy check dams.
No prior trail work experience is required, and tools and instruction will be provided on-site. On this project, you will be led by Steve West, one of our most experienced volunteers.
Steve has participated in more than 300 VOC projects since 1991 and brings decades of hands-on trail knowledge to the crew.
Please remember to bring your own lunch for the day.
Why It Matters:
The structures that volunteers construct will help control erosion, which will prevent widening of the already very exposed trail surface. Additionally, the structures will prevent large quantities of sand from migrating towards the Lake Fork Geneva Creek, which can cause issues for the flora and fauna of the creek. The South Platte Ranger District does not have the staff capacity to complete this work, making volunteer efforts critical to maintaining this trail.
Eligibility Requirements:
Ages 18+
Project Difficulty:
This project is rated moderate to difficult. Please check our difficulty rating criteria here for more details.
Physical Considerations: This project will involve hiking, bending to pick up heavy objects, stretching to reach items, and strenuous activities such as swinging tools.
Access Factors:
Vehicle Access: The drive to the worksite is on a rough mountain road. While a cautious 2WD driver can make it, a 4WD vehicle is preferable.
Other Notes: Nearby camping is available for volunteers who want to spend more time in the mountains. The trail is accessible via the Guanella Pass Byway, a well-known route connecting Highway 285 and I-70.
If you enjoy trail maintenance, you can view similar projects here.
