2013-Continental Divide Trail Construction, Clear Creek Reservoir 8/30-9/1/2013

Start Date-End Date: 08/30/2013-09/01/2013 Land Manager Office: USFS - Leadville Ranger District Land Manager Contact: Adam Brown Funding Partner: Programmatic Partner: Summary: Join us on this Colorado backcountry adventure! Help build a new trail in a wilderness area, between Leadville and Buena Vista, near the historic townsite of Winfield. Description: STEWARDSHIP SITE The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail, or the Continental Divide Trail for short, runs 3,100 miles between Canada and Mexico. It follows the Continental Divide along the Rocky Mountains and crosses five states in the U.S.: Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico. This stewardship project takes place on the Colorado section of the trail located betweenLeadville and Buena Vista, near the historic townsite of Winfield. VOLUNTEER PROJECT - WHAT & WHY Volunteers will help construct a new trail in a wilderness area, which will include clearing the trail corridor, working with rocks,clearing roots and trees, and building bridges on certain sections of trail, ultimately connecting to the famous Lake Ann trail. This new trail will help move this section of the Continental Divide Trail away from the road,making ita safer and more scenic route. We will be working at this site over nine different dates over the summer. Join us on this challenging backcountry adventure to help maintain one of Colorado's treasures! The worksite will be in a wilderness area, a short hike away from base camp (not in a wilderness area), located at an elevation of over 10,000 feet with spectacular views.Due to the remote project location,it is recommended that volunteers arrive at base camp on the evening before the project and sign up for at least 2 days. SPONSORS USFS -- Leadville Ranger District National Forest Foundation Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Foundation GSI Outdoors, Inc Latitude/Longitude: 38.9620, -106.4627 Additional Information: Camping Available: Yes Physical Difficulty: Difficult High Altitude Project: Yes Desired Number of Volunteers: 25 Total Adult Volunteers Attended: 47 Total Youth Volunteers Attended: 0 Total Volunteer Days: 47 Total Unique Volunteers: 20 Total Volunteer Hours: 416 Staff Hours: 80 Stipend Hours: 0 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: We were able construct over 500 feet of new trail and ultimately connect and open the rerouted section of trail. This has been a multi-year, multi-organization project and you had the honor of the final connection.With the signs that will be installed next week hikers can now enjoy a beautiful trail system instead of hiking on the road.Over 200 feet of turnpike now has been topped with dirt and 75 feet of old roadbed has been cultivated and tilled to promote new growth.