2016-Lost Creek Trail Restoration - 7/1/2016

Start Date-End Date: 07/01/2016-07/01/2016 Land Manager Office: USFS - Clear Creek Ranger District Land Manager Contact: Ralph Bradt Funding Partner: Programmatic Partner: Summary: Get lost in the beauty of the Mt. Evans Wilderness as you help restore the Lost Creek Trail. Description: About the Stewardship Site The Mount Evans Wilderness Area is the closest wilderness area to Denver. There are miles and miles of trails around Mount Evans, on both federal and state lands. Many unique features can be found among the 74 thousand acres that encompass the wilderness area, including two popular fourteeners, ancient bristlecone pine groves, small areas of rare arctic tundra, and expansive spruce and lodgepole pine forests. About the Volunteer Experience A small group of just over a dozen volunteers will address high priority maintenance needs on the Mount Evans Wilderness Area's Lost Creek Trail. This trail accesses the eastern portion of the Mount Evans Wilderness, and follows creek drainages through meadows and dense forest. Work will include correcting trail erosion and installing drainage features to prevent further erosion, among other moderate tasks. The project worksite is within a half mile of the Lost Creek trailhead. About the Overall Impact Due to the close proximity of the Mount Evans Wilderness Area to Denver, it is an extremely popular location for recreationalists. Due to heavy use, trail erosion issues have developed over many years, but were accelerated by heavy rains and flooding in the fall of 2013. This is the first of two VOC projects on the Lost Creek Trail in 2016 in which volunteers will address these issues so that the trail can remain sustainable for the high use it receives. Latitude/Longitude: 39.613675, -105.534384 Additional Information: Camping Available: No Physical Difficulty: Moderate High Altitude Project: Yes Desired Number of Volunteers: 14 Total Adult Volunteers Attended: 15 Total Youth Volunteers Attended: 0 Total Volunteer Days: 15 Total Unique Volunteers: 15 Total Volunteer Hours: 120 Staff Hours: 4 Stipend Hours: 0 Project Summary: Volunteers performed a variety of maintenance tasks on the Lost Creek trail in the Mt. Evans Wilderness. Due to it's close proximity to Denver, this trail sees a lot of heavy use. That, combined with damage brought on by high precipitation levels during the sep. 2013 front range floods, has led to need for serious repairs. The work performed by VOC volunteers will help to control continued erosion and enhance the long term sustainability of the Lost Creek Trail Successes and Challenges: All registered volunteers showed up for this project! We've added some stronger language to the volunteer email about the importance of not no-showing for these small wilderness projects, and it seems to be paying off. Lessons Learned: Special Notes: Stewardship Education: Key Concerns or Comments from Staff or Volunteers: Description of Accidents/Incidents: Description of Work Completed: