2015-Saddleback Trail Restoration

Start Date-End Date: 06/26/2015-06/26/2015 Land Manager Office: Clear Creek County Open Space Commission Land Manager Contact: Peter Helseth Funding Partner: Programmatic Partner: Summary: NOTE: Registration for this opportunity is FULL. If you register, you will be placed on the wait list. As space becomes available, we will move individuals off the wait list. Description: ABOUT THE STEWARDSHIP SITE With aspen groves, evergreen forest, and open meadows along the ascent, and ancient bristlecones, white-tailed ptarmigans, and epic vistas at the summit, Saddleback Mountain provides quick and easy access to a high-altitude experience from the Denver Metro area and foothills. ABOUT THE VOLUNTEER WORK VOC will return to work on the almost-completed Saddleback Trail, which will be a true gem easily accessible by people in the Front Range. Volunteers will work to create a sustainable and enjoyable hiking trail by installing log steps to help prevent further erosion on the trail. Access to the worksite will require a .5 mile hike. A free light breakfast and lunch will be provided. PARTNERS Clear Creek County Latitude/Longitude: 39.718609, -105.425577 Additional Information: Camping Available: No Physical Difficulty: Moderate High Altitude Project: No Desired Number of Volunteers: 30 Total Adult Volunteers Attended: 45 Total Youth Volunteers Attended: 1 Total Volunteer Days: 46 Total Unique Volunteers: 46 Total Volunteer Hours: 354 Staff Hours: 36.5 Stipend Hours: 0 Project Summary: 46 volunteers on June 26thhelped to restore and construct trail at Saddleback Mountain, part of Clear Creek County's Open Space.In total, the volunteers constructed 88 check steps and around 1,200 feet of trail. Through this work, volunteers were able to complete a trail all the way to the summit that neighborhood volunteers have been constructing since before 2005! The installed steps will help prevent erosion and make for a more enjoyable hiking experience. Successes and Challenges: The weather was great. It was getting warm at the end of the day, but luckily we had clouds (and no rain!) in the afternoon that helped keep it cooler. The hike was very steep, but all of the volunteers were able to get up to the summit and enjoy the beautiful views. A reporter from the Canyon Courier came by after we had started the project, but unfortunately was unable to complete the hike up to the project site. She was able to interview myself and intern Zana, and I sent her all the project details/photos the following Monday. Also, we were able to carpool all of the volunteers very efficiently from Clear Creek High School to the trailhead in the morning and back again in the afternoon. We took a total of 10 cars (about 2 cars/crew). Lessons Learned: The radios did not work as well as we would have liked throughout the day as the mountain prevented the signal from coming through, depending on where you were located on the trail. Luckily, I had cell phone numbers of the project team and was able to reach individuals when absolutely necessary by cell phone. Special Notes: The volunteers loved the sandwiches from Two Brothers Deli in Idaho Springs! Robin Wallace, wife of Glenn Wallace (member of OSC), also provided delicious cookies for everyone. Stewardship Education: Key Concerns or Comments from Staff or Volunteers: Description of Accidents/Incidents: None. Description of Work Completed: