2017-Goose Creek Trail Restoration

Start Date-End Date: 09/30/2017-10/01/2017 Land Manager Office: USFS - South Platte Ranger District Land Manager Contact: Brandon Mitchell Funding Partner: Programmatic Partner: Summary: Celebrate National Public Lands Day on this small, remote project. **BOTH SAT and SUN REQUIRED** Description: About the Stewardship Site: Located in Douglas County near Deckers, the popular Goose Creek Trail provides access into the southeast portion of the Lost Creek Wilderness. In the warmer months, the Goose Creek Trail area is bursting with wildflowers and offers prime camping, fishing and views of red Pikes Peak granite. Unfortunately, the frequency of heavy precipitation and increased numbers of hikers in recent years have caused serious deterioration of the Goose Creek Trail. About the Volunteer Experience: Volunteer to help the lands (and trails) you love this National Public Lands Day! National Public Lands Day is celebrated annually at public lands across the U.S., and falls on September 30 this year. On this project, volunteers will perform important trail maintenance and correct areas of the trail with steep grades subject to erosion. Anticipated tasks include constructing erosion control barriers using rock, re-establishing tread and outslope, and cleaning out and reinforcing existing drainage structures. This will be a smaller project, with a maximum of 35 people. If you are looking for a more intimate volunteer experience, this project could be right for you! Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be provided Saturday and breakfast and lunch on Sunday. Note: Due to the remote nature of this project, volunteers are required to participate in the entire duration of the project. About the Overall Impact: Trails are among the best ways to experience the outdoors, but they need maintenance to ensure they remain in good condition and are available for people to use. As usage rates on Goose Creek Trail - along with many other trails in the Front Range - continue to climb, volunteers are needed more than ever to maintain and repair them to sustain the heavy traffic. NOTE: MINORS ON VOC PROJECTS All youth under 18 must be accompanied by an adult 21 years or older on overnight projects. Latitude/Longitude: 39.173128, -105.375265 Additional Information: Camping Available: Yes Physical Difficulty: Moderate, Difficult High Altitude Project: No Desired Number of Volunteers: 30 Total Adult Volunteers Attended: 58 Total Youth Volunteers Attended: 2 Total Volunteer Days: 60 Total Unique Volunteers: 30 Total Volunteer Hours: 557 Staff Hours: 8 Stipend Hours: 0 Project Summary: 30 volunteers spent the weekend in a beautiful wilderness setting in the Lost Creek Wilderness area. The crew performed needed maintenance on the Goose Creek Trail, which is popular with hikers and horseback riders. VOC volunteers focused on addressing trail erosion and drainage issues. The crew installed 35 check steps, and 6 drainage structures, including 5 water bars. For good measure, they also removed and disperes an illegal fire ring that they found. Successes and Challenges: Lessons Learned: Special Notes: Stewardship Education: Key Concerns or Comments from Staff or Volunteers: Description of Accidents/Incidents: Description of Work Completed: