2011-Keystone Homestead Trail Restoration

Start Date-End Date: 09/17/2011-09/18/2011 Land Manager Office: Land Manager Contact: Funding Partner: Programmatic Partner: Summary: Help maintain Keystone's world class trail system and enjoy tremendous views of the Continental Divide and Ten Mile Range. Description: FAMILY FRIENDLY, YOUNG STEWARD PROJECT Keystone's trail system, with tremendous views of the Continental Divide and Ten Mile Range, is described by hikers and mountain bikers as world class. Due to its proximity to the Summit Cove Community, Keystone Resort, and its connection to the Colorado Trail, the trails typically have over one hundred daily visitors during the summer months. Volunteers will work with VOC and the Friends of the Dillon Ranger District to build bridges, puncheons and turnpikes at the historic Keystone Homestead, which is currently used by Keystone Resort for its dinner sleigh and wagon rides. The work will be exciting, interesting, and rewarding! This Young Steward project will include an educational component for children age 6-11 while mom, dad and older siblings are out on the trail. Bring the whole family! Please indicate the age(s) of your children in the comments section of registration. There is no fee for this project. Free camping is provided Friday night through Sunday afternoon. Free meals are provided beginning with Saturday morning breakfast and ending with Sunday lunch. On Saturday night, volunteers will be treated to live music by the Pine Beatles! Latitude/Longitude: 39.6041667, -105.9480556 Additional Information: Turn out was low due to wet, cold weather on Saturday. That affected the numbers and morale of volunteers but we were able to use the Keystone Homestead facilities to keep youth and other volunteers warm and dry. Sunday weather was fine and we were able to finish the main priority work. Recruitment was slow anyway. Main factor seemed to be low local turnout and the fall date which sandwiched it between the Colorado River Trip on the front end and the Hanging Lake project aftewards which are both very popular projects for VOC crew leaders and regulars. The Young Stewards numbers seemed to be affected by a fall project versus the summer. They would like us to come back and finish next year and it would be nice to have a high turnout for that. We should start recruiting and planning early. Camping Available: Physical Difficulty: Moderate High Altitude Project: Desired Number of Volunteers: 100 Total Adult Volunteers Attended: 93 Total Youth Volunteers Attended: 24 Total Volunteer Days: 153 Total Unique Volunteers: 67 Total Volunteer Hours: 1434 Staff Hours: 0 Stipend Hours: 0 Project Summary: Successes and Challenges: Lessons Learned: Special Notes: Stewardship Education: Young Stewards Activities for youth ages 6-11 led by FDRD and Keystone Science School staff. Their feedback on how things worked is on the I-Drive in the Keystone folder. Key Concerns or Comments from Staff or Volunteers: Turn out was low due to wet, cold weather on Saturday. That affected the numbers and morale of volunteers but we were able to use the Keystone Homestead facilities to keep youth and other volunteers warm and dry. Sunday weather was fine and we were able to finish the main priority work. Recruitment was slow anyway. Main factor seemed to be low local turnout and the fall date which sandwiched it between the Colorado River Trip on the front end and the Hanging Lake project aftewards which are both very popular projects for VOC crew leaders and regulars. The Young Stewards numbers seemed to be affected by a fall project versus the summer. They would like us to come back and finish next year and it would be nice to have a high turnout for that. We should start recruiting and planning early. Description of Accidents/Incidents: Description of Work Completed: 80 volunteers of all ages gathered in Keystone on September 17-18 to restore the trail near the historic Keystone Homestead and participate in Young Stewards activities. Volunteers installed about 25 water drainage structures and completed 3 wooden bridges on the Hay and Soda Creek trails to help the trail get through high water crossings. Volunteers braved wet and chilly weather on Saturday but were rewarded with some great food, a huge roaring fire, and the sweet music of the Pine Beatles. Huge thanks goes to our great partner the Friends of the Dillon Ranger District (FDRD) and the folks from Keystone for allowing us to use their great space. 11 young stewards, age 6-11, participated in environmental games, hikes, nature scavenger hunts, and a special