2012-Roxborough State Park Trail Restoration

Start Date-End Date: 07/20/2012-07/20/2012 Land Manager Office: CPW - Roxborough State Park Land Manager Contact: Amy Knopp Funding Partner: REI - Recreational Equipment Inc. - Denver, CO Programmatic Partner: Summary: Help restore the Carpenter Peak Trail amidst the dramatic red-rock formations of Roxborough State Park. This project is full. Please register to be added to the waitlist. We are often able to accommodate more volunteers closer to the date! OR, sign up for one of our other projects. Description: STEWARDSHIP SITE Roxborough State Park, just a short drive southwest of Denver, is home to dramatic red-rock formations, distinct plant communities, and a host of wildlife ranging from black bears to mule deer. The Carpenter Peak Trail winds its way through the Lyons and Fountain formation and meadows of abundant wildflowers as it heads to the summit. The summit provides stunning views of the Denver Front Range and Pike National Forest. The unique geology and hydrology of the area takes hikers through nine different ecotypes ranging from grasslands to marshes to Ponderosa pine forests. VOLUNTEER PROJECT - WHAT & WHY Years of use have resulted in damage to the Carpenter Peak Trail. Join this VOC effort to restore the trail and make improvements to ensure visitor safety. Volunteer work will involve improving drainage, replacing rotted wood steps with rock steps, and stabilizing eroded tread. The trail terrain is flat with some rolling hills and a few switchbacks. PARTNERS Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPAW), REI, Which Wich OTHER FUN STUFF Meals: light breakfast; lunch provided by Which Wich REI will provide t-shirts for all volunteers!--PLEASE INDICATE YOUR T-SHIRT SIZE INTHE COMMENTS SECTION OF YOUR REGISTRATION Latitude/Longitude: 39.48450088500977, -105.05609893798828 Additional Information: REI will provide t-shirts for all volunteers. Please let us know your t-shirt size if you did not indicate it in your registration! Camping Available: No Physical Difficulty: Moderate High Altitude Project: No Desired Number of Volunteers: 40 Total Adult Volunteers Attended: 44 Total Youth Volunteers Attended: 7 Total Volunteer Days: 51 Total Unique Volunteers: 51 Total Volunteer Hours: 667.5 Staff Hours: 99 Stipend Hours: 0 Project Summary: Successes and Challenges: Lessons Learned: Special Notes: Stewardship Education: TA and crew leaders discussed sustainable trails and user friendliness. Key Concerns or Comments from Staff or Volunteers: REI will provide t-shirts for all volunteers. Please let us know your t-shirt size if you did not indicate it in your registration! About 1/2 the work was completed because it was more work than feasible for the one day and state parks had a limit on the desired number of volunteers. Roxborough would like to see us come back and help with additional trail enhancements. Description of Accidents/Incidents: Very hot...one youth had minor symptoms of heat exhaustion after lunch. Got him to the shade and gave him electrolytes. Felt better after an hour and wanted to go back out on the project. Description of Work Completed: We had about 50 volunteers. Despite the 100 degree temperature and limited shade, volunteers built 65 steps and moved approximately 15 tons of pea gravel and crusher fines to rehabilitate the eroded Carpenter Peak Trail to make it safer for user. We had people of varying ages, families, and groups from Pearson eCollege, Arapaho County OWP, and State Juvenile Diversion Counseling Program. (Don't know if you would want to mention the 2 youth programs. Might be a bit sensitive.) Breakfast from Einsteins and Highland Ranch Starbucks. Treated to homemade baked goods provided by Roxborough State Park volunteers. Donated sandwiches and prizes from Which Wich (including 2 $50 gift certificate to REI). Additional raffle prizes and t-shirts to all volunteers from REI who were also there with Which Wich to thank volunteers. Everyone received a thank you present from State Parks as well. Lots of goodies! See project eval in project folder.