2014-Mike O'Brien Memorial Project: Oxbow Trail Construction

Start Date-End Date: 08/02/2014-08/02/2014 Land Manager Office: Clear Creek County Open Space Commission Land Manager Contact: Peter Helseth Funding Partner: Clear Creek County Open Space Commission , Mike O'Brien Memorial Trail Fund Programmatic Partner: Summary: Come construct a trail in Clear Creek County that will one day help connect trail systems from Golden to distant Loveland Pass. Description: STEWARDSHIP SITE The Oxbow Parcel, named for the oxbow (large bend) Clear Creek takes in the area, is a site of breathtaking beauty, scenic wildlife, and highly sought after recreational amenities. Located near Tunnel 6 on US Highway 6, the site is an essential piece of Clear Creek County's master plan for connecting the Greenway Trail with Jefferson County's own Greenway Trail. When completed, it will connect trail systems from Golden to Loveland Pass fifty miles long, a truly remarkable achievement. VOLUNTEER PROJECT - WHAT & WHY Volunteers will be converting an old railroad bed into a new, easily-passable trail that follows the creek around an oxbow. Volunteer work will involve moving rocks, building steps to the river, constructing new trail tread and clearing vegetation in the trail corridor. Volunteers unfamiliar with such work will learn about natural trail and rock work construction techniques. When completed, the trail will help open public access to the area for hikers, bikers, fishermen, and historians. PARTNERS & SPONSORS Clear Creek County Mike O'Brien Memorial Fund Xcel Energy REI ?Lockheed Martin The Boeing Company Oracle Clif Bar & Company Helen K. and Arthur E. Johnson Foundation OTHER FUN STUFF Meals: A light breakfast and lunch will be provided. Latitude/Longitude: 39.63740158081055, -105.34020233154297 Additional Information: Camping Available: No Physical Difficulty: Moderate, Difficult High Altitude Project: No Desired Number of Volunteers: 50 Total Adult Volunteers Attended: 44 Total Youth Volunteers Attended: 15 Total Volunteer Days: 63 Total Unique Volunteers: 59 Total Volunteer Hours: 542 Staff Hours: 34 Stipend Hours: 0 Project Summary: Successes and Challenges: Lessons Learned: Special Notes: Stewardship Education: Martha Tableman from Clear Creek County Open Space came and spoke to the group about the "big picture" project of a the Plain to Peak trail, that would allow bikers to go up through Summit County from DIA. Clint Heiple, a friend of the late Mike O'Brien, talked about why Mike chose to leave an endowment to VOC, and his love of the outdoors. Key Concerns or Comments from Staff or Volunteers: Description of Accidents/Incidents: Description of Work Completed: On Saturday, Augus 2nd, 60 volunteers came out to Tunnel 6 in Clear Creek Canyon to restore a trail used by climbers, rafters, and walkers. The group was able to restore 600 feet of trail that needed to be widened, and the trail corridor needed to be cleared. The volunteers constructed 6 separate rock staircases, which totaled to 53 rock steps installed. They improved access to the parking areas and to the creek. Two drainages were closed by putting rocks and duff into them. Three separate retaining monowalls were constructed totaling to 36 feet.