Description
Start Date-End Date: 09/04/2015-09/07/2015
Land Manager Office: USFS - Saguache Ranger District
Land Manager Contact: Jim Pitts
Funding Partner: San Luis Valley Great Outdoors - SLVGO
Programmatic Partner:
Summary: Restore a steep and rocky section of the renowned Continental Divide National Scenic Trail.
Description: ABOUT THE STEWARDSHIP SITE
This section of the 3,100-mile iconic Continental Divide Trail is also collocated with the Colorado Trail and traverses the border between the Sawatch Range and San Juans. The best vehicle access to this section is from Marshall Pass on the Gunnison National Forest. Most likely, the majority of this project site will be within one mile of basecamp.
ABOUT THE VOLUNTEER WORK
Steep grades coming off of Windy Peak combined with heavy spring run-off and monsoon cycles have damaged parts of this section. Trailusers also often create their own detours around problem sections, causing further damage to resources. Unfortunately, because of the area's remote location, this section of the trail has seenlittle maintenance in recent years. This year, however, we will be able to drive in very close via a timber sale access road!
Volunteers will remove berm, install drain dips, and "check ramps" - a less intrusive hybrid check damn-type structure that is more appealing to wheeled traffic, yet still keeps the tread from eroding and cupping further.These improvements will have an immediate effect on the trail itself and long-lasting effects on the surrounding areas and watersheds.
Free meals and camping provided.
PARTNERS & SPONSORS
U.S. Forest Service - Saguache Ranger District
San Luis Valley Great Outdoors (SLVGO)
San Luis Valley Federal Bank
Latitude/Longitude: 38.347833, -106.284632
Additional Information:
Camping Available: Yes
Physical Difficulty: Moderate, Difficult
High Altitude Project: Yes
Desired Number of Volunteers: 15
Total Adult Volunteers Attended: 9
Total Youth Volunteers Attended: 0
Total Volunteer Days: 25
Total Unique Volunteers: 9
Total Volunteer Hours: 258
Staff Hours: 87
Stipend Hours: 0
Project Summary:
Successes and Challenges: Originally had max volunteers set at 20, but had to drop to 15 because of a lack of crew leaders.
Despite low numbers and high attrition the volunteers that showed up came to work and were very eager to learn. The "check ramp" structures that we were building can be difficult and frustrating but we still built 14 very solid ramps.
Lessons Learned: High rates ofattrition and no shows.
The section was difficult to access because of road conditions. We left after work on the6thinstead of leaving the morning of the7thbecause of the forecast and bad weather.
Volunteers were confused about the schedule and had the misconception they could come and go as they please. Volunteers that showed up said that the original online description was unclear and confusing. Brink left the field to pick up a volunteer who was arriving late only to find out she was leaving early as well, she was under the impression that shecould volunteer for one day on a 4 day project because theoriginaldescription did not state otherwise.
Special Notes:
Stewardship Education: Our campsite was surrounded by ruins of old logging and mining camps
Key Concerns or Comments from Staff or Volunteers:
Description of Accidents/Incidents:
Description of Work Completed:
Details
| 16 and older |
