2014-Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve Trail Restoration

Start Date-End Date: 08/01/2014-08/03/2014 Land Manager Office: NPS - Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve Land Manager Contact: Katherine Faz Funding Partner: Step Outdoors Programmatic Partner: Summary: Restore a trail in the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness and enjoy one of the most spectacular and unique geologic areas in Colorado! Description: 30th ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATIVE PROJECT This year Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado turns 30! This project is one of nine 30th Anniversary Commemorative Projects we are hosting to highlight VOC's long-standing history caring for Colorado's outdoors. STEWARDSHIP SITE Great Sand Dunes is a treasure of visual, geological, and biological surprises-a high mountain valley holding the tallest dunes in North America and flanked by some of the highest peaks in the Rocky Mountains; unique wind?powered geologic systems; insects physically adapted to life in the sand and found nowhere else; alpine lakes and tundra; disappearing creeks; and much more! Nestled in southern Colorado, North America's tallest dunes rise over 750 feet high against the rugged Sangre de Cristo Mountains. This geologic wonderland, containing over 30 square miles of massive dunes, became a national monument in 1932. With the passage of the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve Act, the park's resources now include alpine lakes and tundra, six peaks over 13,000' in elevation, ancient spruce and pine forests, large stands of aspen and cottonwood, grasslands, and wetlands??all habitat for diverse wildlife and plant species. VOLUNTEER PROJECT - WHAT & WHY Volunteers will work on trail maintenance in one of the more remote areas of the Preserve in the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness Area. The trails in this portion of Great Sand Dunes National Preserve see high amounts of run off due to snowmelt in the spring and can be highly affected by seasonal monsoons. Maintenance needs on the Medano Lake Trail include erosion control, clearing corridor and tread maintenance. Volunteers efforts will contribute to improved access to Medano Lake and Mount Herald as well as limit sediment runoff. To register for this project click here. IMPORTANT INFORMATION Volunteers must commit to all three days.The hike to the work site is approximately 3-4 miles and will be above 10,000 ft. PARTNERS & SPONSORS Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve Xcel Energy REI The Boeing Company Oracle Clif Bar & Company Roundup Riders Foundation OTHER FUN STUFF Camping: Free admission into the park and camping will be available Thursday night through Sunday night. Meals: Meals will be provided Friday morning through Sunday lunch. Activities: Step Outdoors will provide a Leave No Trace AwarenessWorkshop for all interested volunteers and park rangers will be available during meals for Q & A sessions about the park and the preserve's resources. Latitude/Longitude: 37.805431, -105.517423 Additional Information: Camping Available: Yes Physical Difficulty: Moderate, Difficult High Altitude Project: Yes Desired Number of Volunteers: 15 Total Adult Volunteers Attended: Total Youth Volunteers Attended: Total Volunteer Days: Total Unique Volunteers: Total Volunteer Hours: 0 Staff Hours: 0 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: