Description
Start Date-End Date: 08/24/2013-08/24/2013
Land Manager Office: Colorado Fourteeners Initiative
Land Manager Contact: Coby Gierke
Funding Partner:
Programmatic Partner:
Summary: Help restore the severely degraded Grays Peak Trail.
Description:
STEWARDSHIP SITE
Grays Peak (14,278 ft) and Torreys Peak (14,275 ft) are a pair of Front Range 14ers whose summits are separated by a mere three-quarters of a mile. Despite the fact that Gray’s Peak is the 10th highest peak in Colorado (and the highest point directly on the Continental Divide), the hike to its summit is one of the easier of the 14ers, making it a popular Front Ranger 14er destination.
VOLUNTEER PROJECT - WHAT & WHY
Due to its popularity, the Gray’s Peak Trail has experienced problems with trail widening, which has led to erosion and habitat loss. The trail needs to be restored to its original width and made sustainable if it is to continue serving the high public demand it sees. One group of volunteers will be performing re-vegetation to help narrow the socially widened trail while a second group will work above the trail to build erosion control structures.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
We will have an alpine start in the morning to try and get a full work day in before possible afternoon storms. Be ready for an early start but we will have plenty of food and hot coffee to get you ready to work. Minors (under 18) must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
PARTNERS
Colorado Fourteeners Initiative (CFI)
SPONSORS
National Forest Foundation
Which Wich Superior Sandwiches
OTHER FUN STUFF
Meals: A light breakfast and lunch will be provided.
Camping: There are campgrounds nearby if you wish to camp the night before (it being such an early start), but VOC will not be providing campsites.
Latitude/Longitude: 39.637912, -105.813207
Additional Information:
Camping Available: No
Physical Difficulty: Difficult
High Altitude Project: Yes
Desired Number of Volunteers: 30
Total Adult Volunteers Attended: 15
Total Youth Volunteers Attended: 1
Total Volunteer Days: 16
Total Unique Volunteers: 16
Total Volunteer Hours: 128
Staff Hours: 15
Stipend Hours: 0
Project Summary:
Successes and Challenges:
Lessons Learned:
Special Notes:
Stewardship Education:
Key Concerns or Comments from Staff or Volunteers:
Grays and Torreys is an extremely popular trail and trying to work on a Saturday made the task extremely difficult. There was a constant stream of hikers which made step construction very difficult. If we are looking to work on very popular trails in the future a weekday project may be more productive.
Description of Accidents/Incidents:
Description of Work Completed:
On August 24th 16 volunteers joined VOC and CFI to help improve Grays trail. After a 2.5 mile hike to the worksite the group split into 2 and worked on separate tasks. The first group installed 20 ft of rock retaining wall to prevent erosion from flowing down onto the trail. While the other group constructed rock steps to create a more sustainable trail and prevent erosion. The crew was able to complete 5 rock steps before weather forced the whole team to cut the project short.
Details
| 16 and older |
