Description
Start Date-End Date: 08/10/2013-08/16/2013
Land Manager Office: USFS - Divide Ranger District
Land Manager Contact: Lisa McClure
Funding Partner:
Programmatic Partner:
Summary: Help make much-needed improvements to the Continental Divide Trail and the nearby Ute Creek Trail.
Description:
STEWARDSHIP SITE
The Weminuche Wilderness, which lies in the San Juan and Rio Grande National Forests of southwestern Colorado, is the largest designated Wilderness Area in Colorado. The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail, or Continental Divide Trail (CDT) for short, runs through the Weminuche Wilderness for several miles. The CDT, whose 3,100 miles traverses five states along its journey from Mexico to Canada, is one of the most significant trail systems in the world. The Ute Creek Trail not only provides access to the CDT but is a beautiful trail in its own right.
VOLUNTEER PROJECT - WHAT & WHY
There are concerns regarding the visibility of the Ute Creek Trail and CDT in the riparian Ute Basin, as this section of trail is very overgrown. Visitors may become lost in this area which presents a serious safety risk. There is also a section of the CDT just north of its intersection with the Ute Creek Trail which is prone to sloughing (degradation). This section is not only a nuisance and a potential hazard to users, but is also damaging to the neighboring ecosystem. After a 13-mile hike to the Ute Basin, volunteers will begin by grubbing out willow, redefining tread, and closing many braided social trails to make the official route more obvious. This work will continue over the last three miles of the Ute Creek Trail and on approximately two miles of the CDT. Volunteers will then move to the section of the CDT prone to sloughing to widen the tread to increase the trail's stability.
Click here to register: https://fw.civicore.com/voc/index.php?section=opportunities&action=view2&fwID=20737
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Volunteers must commit to all seven days. The hike to the work site is about 13-miles. Volunteers will need to bring all their personal backcountry camping gear. This is a strenuous backcountry project which lasts seven days, with significant rewards at the end. The Forest Service will be packing in tools, food, and other gear with a pack string.
PARTNERS
Step Outdoors
Rio Grande National Forest
USFS - Divide Ranger District
OTHER FUN STUFF
Camping: Free camping will be available.
Meals: All meals will be provided fromSaturday (8/10) breakfast throughFriday lunch (8/16).
Latitude/Longitude: 37.760097, -107.342783
Additional Information:
Camping Available: Yes
Physical Difficulty: Difficult
High Altitude Project: Yes
Desired Number of Volunteers: 12
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Total Volunteer Hours: 0
Staff Hours: 0
Stipend Hours: 0
Project Summary:
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Stewardship Education:
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Details
| 18 and older |
