2014-Mike O'Brien Memorial Project: Mt. Bierstadt Trail & Ecological Restoration

Start Date-End Date: 07/12/2014-07/13/2014 Land Manager Office: USFS - South Platte Ranger District Land Manager Contact: Ben Hanus Funding Partner: Mike O'Brien Memorial Trail Fund Programmatic Partner: Summary: Help with trail and ecological restoration on one of Colorado's most popular 14ers. 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 Due to their popularity, Colorado's Fourteeners see heavy use and require ongoing care and attention. That's why in 1994, VOC helped launch an affiliate organization to focus exclusively oncaring for these precious mountains. Today, the Colorado 14ers Initiative (CFI)is a successful independent nonprofit and VOC continues to partner closely with CFI year after year. VOC returns to Mt. Bierstadt this year, where 15 years ago VOC volunteers were instrumental in building the first boardwalk across the route's wetlands. Located in Pike National Forest and Mt. Evans Wilderness, Mt. Bierstadt is one of Colorado's most beloved 14ers. At 14,065 feet, Mt. Bierstadt towers over the Front Range with panoramic views of the Sawtooth formation, Abyss Lake, Mt. Evans, and Grays and Torreys Peak on the western horizon. VOLUNTEER PROJECT - WHAT & WHY Due to the trail's popularity, overuse has resulted in social trails and erosion issues. Volunteers will work to close social trails, build rock walls, and restore damaged areas. Volunteers will be broken up into three groups of 15 to work on various sections of the trail. The work sites will vary in degree of difficulty and distance required to reach the site. PARTNERS/SPONSORS Colorado Fourteeners Initiative U.S. Forest Service Xcel Energy REI ?Lockheed Martin The Boeing Company Oracle Clif Bar & Company National Forest Foundation Mike O'Brien Memorial Fund Laura Jane Musser Fund OTHER FUN STUFF Camping: Free camping will be available on Guanella Pass Saturday night. Meals: Meals will be provided Saturday breakfast through Sunday lunch. Latitude/Longitude: 39.575098, -105.699049 Additional Information: Camping Available: Yes Physical Difficulty: Moderate, Difficult High Altitude Project: Yes Desired Number of Volunteers: 44 Total Adult Volunteers Attended: 58 Total Youth Volunteers Attended: 0 Total Volunteer Days: 57 Total Unique Volunteers: 34 Total Volunteer Hours: 517 Staff Hours: 111 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 July 12th and 13th VOC hosted over 30 volunteers to help improve the Mt Bierstadt trail. This was a 30th anniversary commemorative project for VOC. The volunteers worked on Saturday and Sunday to help prevent further erosion on the trail and constructed some turnpikes to raise the trail tread out of low-lying muddy areas. CFI was very pleased with the work and the volunteers had a great time improving the overused Mt Bierstadt trail. On Saturday evening 2 speakers came to talk about stewardship work on 14ers around the state in addition to the partnership between CFI and VOC.