Where you’ll be:
Just an hour from Denver, Grays Peak and Torreys Peak are a popular pair of "14ers" whose summits are separated by a mere three-quarters of a mile. Grays Peak is the highest point directly on the Continental Divide and the 10th highest peak in Colorado; with its proximity to Front Range population centers, the route to Grays' summit alone can see as many as 25,000 to 30,000 hikers a year!
What you’ll do:
Spend a weekend giving some much-needed TLC to Colorado's famous 14ers! You'll work above treeline with about 40 VOC volunteers and others from the Colorado Fourteeners Initiative (CFI) to stabilize the trail tread and prevent erosion by placing and installing log check steps and rock retaining walls. Please note this project will be physically demanding, and volunteers are required to arrive the night before they volunteer. The furthest work site will be as far as a 3-mile (approx. 2 hours) hike, so be prepared for strenuous work and great views! The main goal is to install timber check steps. Timber is to be staged beforehand by helicopters (not a joke). Alternate tasks for a small number of people who don't want to hike to 13,000 feet will be clearing drains and cutting back willows to clear corridors.
Your hard work will be rewarded with stunning views and free campsites, along with breakfasts and dinner on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday, provided by volunteer crew chefs. Please bring your own lunch (BYOL).
Please note that, due to the remote nature of this project, we strongly recommend arriving on Friday evening in order to be prepared for Saturday
Volunteers will have the opportunity to get coffee and breakfast to-go starting at 6 am and hike at their own pace. CFI staff will be at the work site welcoming volunteers as they arrive. We understand that this project involves a long hike to the worksite, and we want to make everyone feel comfortable hiking at their own speed.
Why it’s important:
This is a heavily used trail! Trail maintenance and erosion control are essential for the trail's sustainability and users' safety. These peaks see a lot of snow during the winter, and a lot of damage and erosion can happen once the snow melts if the right structures are not present. The check steps volunteers will install will prevent erosion and make the hike safer and more enjoyable for trail users.
Eligibility Requirements:
- 18+
Project Difficulty:
This project is considered difficult. Check our difficulty rating criteria here for more details.
Accessibility Factors:
Vehicle accessibility: Please note that access to the trailhead is via Stevens Gulch Road, which is ~3mi of rocky and rough road. SUVs and 4WD vehicles are strongly recommended. VOC will share with volunteers a link to coordinate carpooling. Parking is very limited and usually fills by 4 AM each morning; for this reason, we are asking volunteers to arrive the night before they are planning to volunteer.
Other notes: Camping will be offered at the trailhead. The main worksite is located ~3 miles from the trailhead and it takes about ~2hrs to hike there. Please note you will be working close to or at 13,000ft of elevation. Volunteers will carry tools, personal backpacks, and water for the day to the worksite
