2015-South Zapata Trail Restoration

Start Date-End Date: 09/25/2015-09/27/2015 Land Manager Office: USFS - Conejos Peak Ranger District Land Manager Contact: Gerard Sandoval Funding Partner: San Luis Valley Great Outdoors - SLVGO Programmatic Partner: Summary: Spend a weekend building a trail in the remote and breathtaking Sangre De Cristo Mountains. Description: ABOUT THE STEWARDSHIP SITE Not to be confused with the Zapata Falls Trail System that VOC assisted with in 2013, the South Zapata Trail is a 4.8 mile hike that takes off from the Zapata Falls Trailhead and provides access to a spectacular hidden waterfall and South Zapata Lake. This small alpine lake sits in a majestic basin surrounded by 13,000 and 14,000-ft. peaks, and hikers are rewarded withsweeping views of the Great Sand Dunes National Park, the Sangre De Cristo Range and the San Luis Valley. The Sangre De Cristo Mountains are well-known for their rugged nature and steep slopes. ABOUT THE VOLUNTEER PROJECT Switchbacks - or a trail that 'zig zags' to the summit - are common on the South Zapata Trail to help hikers navigate its steep terrain. Unfortunately, these switchbacks have blown out overtime and are currently in disrepair, creating a potential hazard for trail users and increasing sediment wash outs that will eventually end up in the South Zapata Creek. On this project, volunteers will help improve the condition of the switchbacks by digging out sloughed off sediment, reestablishing turning platforms, and installing retaining walls and rock mono-walls to preserve the trail and discourage shortcuts. Free meals and camping will be provided. PARTNERS USFS - Conejos Peak Ranger District San Luis Valley Great Outdoors (SLVGO) San Luis Valley Federal Bank Latitude/Longitude: 37.607508, -105.527329 Additional Information: Camping Available: Yes Physical Difficulty: Difficult High Altitude Project: Yes Desired Number of Volunteers: 16 Total Adult Volunteers Attended: 9 Total Youth Volunteers Attended: 0 Total Volunteer Days: 26 Total Unique Volunteers: 9 Total Volunteer Hours: 185 Staff Hours: 72 Stipend Hours: 0 Project Summary: Another project with high atrittion, there were folks on the waiting list the week before the project and we had 4 people cancel the first day of the project and 3 no shows. Despite the low numbers we still acomplished the project goals and improved/stabilized a section of gullied trail by installing 17 rock steps and 4 waterbars. The crew worked very hard for two days and were wearing out so we decided Sunday would be a travel day and the volunteers left after packing up gear and breaking down camp on sunday. Successes and Challenges: The group had excellent communication skills and worked very very well with one another, some of the best team work that I've seen on VOC projects. Our Crew Chef backed out last minute so I cooked alot of food ahead of time to make meal prep in the field easy. A volunteer stepped up to help out in the kitchen all weekend as well as regular trail stuff. I scrambled before the project to round up enough camp/cook gear and tools to outfit the project locally instead of from the Ops-center. Lessons Learned: Special Notes: Stewardship Education: Key Concerns or Comments from Staff or Volunteers: Description of Accidents/Incidents: Description of Work Completed: