2013-Mike O'Brien Memorial Project: Mt. Crested Butte Summit Trail Restoration

Start Date-End Date: 09/07/2013-09/08/2013 Land Manager Office: USFS - Gunnison Ranger District Land Manager Contact: Tambi Gustafson Funding Partner: Programmatic Partner: Summary: Come help in the restoration of Gunnison County's iconic Mt. Crested Butte Summit Trail. Description: STEWARDSHIP SITE Mt. Crested Butte (12,168 ft) towers over the historic town of Crested Butte and its world-renowned ski area. And because its location is so central and its vistas so stunning, the Mt. Crested Butte Summit Trail, which begins at the top of the Silver Queen Lift, may well be the busiest trail in the Gunnison Ranger District. VOLUNTEER PROJECT - WHAT & WHY This popularity has had its effect, making it necessary to restore the half-mile-long trail to ensure its sustainability for future users. The restoration will also allow long term plans to add interpretative signs along the trail to move forward. Along the first half of the trail, volunteers will be rebuilding a several wood steps and re-benching the tread. The last half of the trail has several steep sections that have led to significant erosion issues. Volunteers will restore damaged trail sections by adding rock check dams and rock steps. Some restoration work in the alpine will also be completed. A chairlift ride will take volunteers to within a quarter mile of the beginning of the trail project. SPONSORS Mike O'Brien Memorial Fund USFS -- Gunnison Ranger District National Forest Foundation Crested Butte Mountain Resort OTHER FUN STUFF Camping: Free camping available on Friday and Saturday night. Meals: Meals will be provided from Saturday morning through Sunday afternoon. Latitude/Longitude: 38.898507, -106.967834 Additional Information: Camping Available: Yes Physical Difficulty: Difficult High Altitude Project: Yes Desired Number of Volunteers: 40 Total Adult Volunteers Attended: 88 Total Youth Volunteers Attended: 0 Total Volunteer Days: 88 Total Unique Volunteers: 47 Total Volunteer Hours: 801 Staff Hours: 75 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: On the weekend of September 7-8, 46 volunteers hopped on the Crested Butte Mountain Resort chairlift and rode to the top of Mt. Crested Butte for a day of trail restoration along the Summit Trail as part of the Mike O'Brien Memorial Project. Volunteers restored an impressive 1,000 ft of existing trail by installing 33 rock steps and 35ft of rock walls. Volunteer efforts will preserve delicate alpine tundra while also providing a safe and sustainable path to an incredible summit.