2013-Missouri Lake Campground Rehabilitation

Start Date-End Date: 08/05/2013-08/07/2013 Land Manager Office: USFS - Eagle-Holy Cross Ranger District Land Manager Contact: Dave Neely Funding Partner: Programmatic Partner: Summary: Come help restore the fragile habitat around the gorgeous Missouri Lakes and encourage proper wilderness use by future backpackers. Description: STEWARDSHIP SITE The Holy Cross Wilderness, which lies just west of the Continental Divide, is a magnificent landscape of rugged peaks and verdant, glacier-carved valleys. It is also one of the most water-rich areas in Colorado, inundated with cascading, pooling snowmelt and tranquil alpine lakes. One such verdant, water-rich area is Missouri Lakes, a series of cascading streams and alpine lakes nestled below towering granite peaks. Not surprisingly, the Missouri Lake area is a popular destination for backpackers. VOLUNTEER PROJECT - WHAT & WHY Sadly, many of these backpackers fail to follow wilderness regulations. The landscape is dotted with illegal campfire rings which encourage backpackers to create fires of their own, fires which threaten the fragile alpine ecosystem around the lake. Over the years, backpackers have also built campsites situated either too close to the trail or too close to water sources. These campsites negatively impact water sources and threaten this pristine wilderness. Volunteers will backpack a little over three miles to camp near Fancy Lake. Volunteers will break up and scatter illegal campfire rings, and camouflage these sites with pine needles. Volunteers will also rehabilitate illegal campsites by placing boulders to discourage campers and transplanting grasses to begin the restoration of these sites. IMPORTANT INFORMATION As this is a backpacking trip, volunteers must supply their own backcountry gear and be in good physical shape. PARTNERS USFS – Holy Cross Ranger District SPONSORS National Forest Foundation OTHER FUN STUFF Meals: All meals will be provided. Camping: Free camping will be provided. Latitude/Longitude: 39.3922, -106.515 Additional Information: Camping Available: Yes Physical Difficulty: Difficult High Altitude Project: Yes Desired Number of Volunteers: 15 Total Adult Volunteers Attended: 1 Total Youth Volunteers Attended: 1 Total Volunteer Days: 2 Total Unique Volunteers: 2 Total Volunteer Hours: 16 Staff Hours: 20 Stipend Hours: 0 Project Summary: Successes and Challenges: Lessons Learned: Special Notes: Stewardship Education: An educational talk was provided by myself and USFS Sam Massman on safety, tool usage, and radio communications. This talk was cut severly due to lack of turn-out. The Scout leader was visibly upset that his entire troop would be missing out. Key Concerns or Comments from Staff or Volunteers: This was a successful project in terms of outreach; I had accomplished gaining 12+ individuals to participate in 3 days of work. However, it was unsuccessful due to unforseen circumstances. Upon arrival, Troop leader, Jeremy Slade, informed me that nearly all scouts had cancelled due to them holding summer jobs. With only one adult and one scout, my USFS contact and I made the decision to shorten the project to one day due to safety reasons. This project and the Troop had been signed on since the beginning of the year, with constant contact between both organizations, so this massive cancellation was quite a surprise. I wouldrethink who I would outreach tofor another multi-day, wilderness trip. Description of Accidents/Incidents: none Description of Work Completed: On August 5, 2013,1 adults and1 youth of Boy Scout Troop 234 in Edwards, CO, hiked 3 miles to reachMissouri Lakes in the White River National Forest. Designated a wilderness area, the scouts were tasked with removing illegal fire rings and campsites. There are no camp fires allowed in the wilderness, nor can you have a campsite that is within 100 ft of any water source. Sadly, these two rules are not usually respected. Boy Scout Troop 234 spent1 days removing rocks, dispersing ashes, and spreading duff for 4campgroundsites. This greatly impacts the natural asthetic beauty of MissouriLakes and provides an example for backpackers.