2013-Bookcliffs Trail Construction

Start Date-End Date: 05/04/2013-05/05/2013 Land Manager Office: BLM - Grand Junction Field Office Land Manager Contact: Michael Jones Funding Partner: Programmatic Partner: Summary: Help complete an important loop-trail in the Bookcliffs north of Fruita. Description: STEWARDSHIP SITE The Bookcliffs, so-named for their resemblance to a shelf of books, stretch over 200 miles from western Colorado into Utah. Up in the Bookcliffs, trails snake in and out of rugged pinyon-juniper woodland, offering spectacular views of the La Sal Mountains to the west, the San Juan Mountains to the south, and the West Elk Mountains to the east. VOLUNTEER PROJECT - WHAT & WHY The Bureau of Land Management has been working for some time on an important trail connection in the Bookcliffs north of Fruita. The trail--which will be open to dirt bikes, mountain bikes, horses, and hikers--is nearing completion. When finished, it will provide long-distance loop trail opportunities and an alternative to a busy gravel county road. Volunteers will help in the construction of this important trail. There will be at least a 1 mile hike into the trail over rugged rocky terrain. The worksite will be somewhat steep terrain. PARTNERS BLM Grand Junction OTHER FUN STUFF Meals: Meals will be provided from Saturday breakfast through Sunday lunch. Camping: Free camping will be available. Activities: BLM staff will provide an educational presentation on the development of the North Fruita Desert Trail System and how the BLM manages recreation on multiple use lands. We'll also havea fewraffle prizes for volunteer appreciation. Enjoy live music on Saturday night! Latitude/Longitude: 3920.861, 10836.679 Additional Information: Calculation of hours: 7 hours for Sat, 5.5 hours for Sunday for all volunteers. In addition, leadership volunteers put in the additional hours: Bill Cort - 20 hours, Terry Gimbel 7 hours, Lisa Thilker - 24 hours For all volunteers, RTtravel time calculated as follows: Local (Fruita, GJ, Palisade) 3 hours Western Slope - 5 hrs RT Front Range - 11 hrs RT plus 1 hr prep for each person. Camping Available: Yes Physical Difficulty: Difficult High Altitude Project: No Desired Number of Volunteers: 75 Total Adult Volunteers Attended: 106 Total Youth Volunteers Attended: 3 Total Volunteer Days: 106 Total Unique Volunteers: 63 Total Volunteer Hours: 979.5 Staff Hours: 268 Stipend Hours: 244 Project Summary: Successes and Challenges: Lessons Learned: Special Notes: Stewardship Education: Key Concerns or Comments from Staff or Volunteers: Description of Accidents/Incidents: Description of Work Completed: