Description
Start Date-End Date: 08/10/2015-08/15/2015
Land Manager Office: USFS - Divide Ranger District
Land Manager Contact: Lisa McClure
Funding Partner: San Luis Valley Great Outdoors - SLVGO
Programmatic Partner:
Summary: On this 5-day backcountry adventure, help restore a trail in a little-known area that is perhaps Colorado's greatest natural marvel.
Description: ABOUT THE STEWARDSHIP SITE
Located near the old mining town of Creede, Wheeler Geologic Area is the centerpiece of the LaGarita Wilderness Area and one of the most fascinating geological features in the San Juan Mountains. The geology here is so unique and the scenery so striking, in fact, that the area became Colorado's first National Monument in 1908. In this area lies an incredible collection of otherworldly rock hoodoos, pinnacles, and canyons that are direct evidence of the volcanic events that shaped the San Juans.
ABOUT THE VOLUNTEER WORK
Though the Wheeler Geologic Area is completely surrounded by Wilderness, a 4x4 and ATV road provides access to the base where a short hike can take visitors to the area. This relatively easy access makes Wheeler a popular option for day use, creating a high need for trail maintenance that addresses erosion issues and increases the overall safety of the area. The designated trail is being cut in several places establishing a defined but unsustainable user created trail that is eroding into the headwaters of West Bellows Creek.
Volunteers will make improvements to the trail by closing unsafe user-created trails, clearing corridor, and building structures that help control erosion. We will focus on the system trails within the area itself as well as the East Bellows Trail that provides access to the area from the Hanson's Mill trailhead for hikers and equestrians.
Free meals and camping will be provided.
PARTNERS
U.S. Forest Service - Divide Ranger District
San Luis Valley Great Outdoors (SLVGO)
San Luis Valley Federal Bank
Latitude/Longitude: 37.880751, -106.783708
Additional Information:
Camping Available: Yes
Physical Difficulty: Moderate, Difficult
High Altitude Project: Yes
Desired Number of Volunteers: 15
Total Adult Volunteers Attended:
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Total Volunteer Hours: 0
Staff Hours: 0
Stipend Hours: 0
Project Summary: The project was cancled due to access issues with the project site. The 4x4 road that accesses the Wheeler Geologic area was severly damaged by heavy spring run off and an early monsoon cycle. We were unable to access the project site because stuck and abandoned vehicles blocked the road and the road was trenched up to 4' in places. Lisa McClure with the USFS's Divide Ranger District recomended the road be closed or limited to ATV only untill the damaged road can be repaired. We will look at attempting a project at Wheeler again in 2016 if the road is repared.
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Details
| 18 and older |
