Where you'll be:
Nestled in Arapaho National Forest and Pike National Forest just 30 miles west of Denver, the Mt. Evans Wilderness spans more than 74,000 acres and is home to bighorn sheep and the highest paved road in North America nearby.
What you'll do:
This weekday project is a great way for volunteers ages 12+ to give back to the great outdoors. After hiking about 1.5 miles on the Captain Mountain Trail, you'll work with a group of approximately 20 volunteers to remove mature thistle blossoms and chemically treat the thistle plants in the south meadow of the Captain Mountain trail. Time permitting, we will also work to identify musk thistle rosettes and Canada thistle.
Why it's important:
Maintaining healthy native flora is essential for the local ecosystem, and, left unchecked, the invasive thistles will take over the area and out-compete native plants to create a monoculture.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Ages 12+
Youth under 16 must be accompanied by an adult 21 or older.
Project Difficulty:
This project is considered easy to moderate in nature. Please check our difficulty rating criteria here for more details.
Accessibility Factors:
Vehicle Accessibility: 2WD accessible. There is designated parking at the trailhead.
