2017-Mike O'Brien Memorial Project: Dry Lake Trail Construction and Family Camping

Start Date-End Date: 08/05/2017-08/06/2017 Land Manager Office: USFS - Hahns Peak/Bears Ears Ranger District Land Manager Contact: Kent Foster Funding Partner: Mike O'Brien Memorial Trail Fund Programmatic Partner: Yampatika Summary: Bring the little ones for an outdoor adventure! Description: About the Stewardship Site: Situated just outside Steamboat Springs, the Buffalo Pass area has long been a favorite for outdoor recreation. It features stunning Alpine lakes, dispersed campgrounds, and trails for hikers as well as equestrian and motorized recreationalists. As part of the Buffalo Pass Trails project, inpartnership with the City of Steamboat Springs, the U.S. Forest Service is opening new trails for mountain bikers and other non-motorized users. About the Volunteer Experience: FOR VOLUNTEERS AGES 12+: Volunteers and older youth will help build the Dry Lake Trail, part of a trail network that includes 40 new miles. This trail will be intended for beginner mountain bikers and hikers, and will be accessed just a short distance from the campsite. Tasks will include easy to moderately difficult new trail construction, making this project great for experienced trail builders, as well as first-timers up for a challenge! FOR YOUTH AGES 6-11: While parents and older siblings are volunteering, the younger ones will participate in a fun (and free!) outdoor educational program that will include fun environmental activities alongside a caring and professional staff. Details soon! At day's end, adults and kids will come back together around the campfire to share stories and eat dinner (s'mores, anyone?), and sleep under the stars in a relaxing and safe environment. Breakfast and lunch will be provided throughout the weekend. About the Overall Impact: As a part of a new trail network, the Dry Lake Trail will help to open new recreational access to a desirable area just outside of Steamboat Springs, offering new opportunities for locals and tourists alike. NOTE: MINORS ON VOC PROJECTS All youth under 18 must be accompanied by an adult 21 years or older on overnight projects. A Grand Milestone Signature Project Latitude/Longitude: 40.535732, -106.781280 Additional Information: Camping Available: Yes Physical Difficulty: Moderate High Altitude Project: No Desired Number of Volunteers: 60 Total Adult Volunteers Attended: 59 Total Youth Volunteers Attended: 38 Total Volunteer Days: 97 Total Unique Volunteers: 51 Total Volunteer Hours: 895 Staff Hours: 68 Stipend Hours: 0 Project Summary: A weekend in Steamboat Springs for volunteers meant lush ferns, large Aspen trees, a bit of trail work, and a relaxing soak in the local Hot Springs. The Dry Lake Campground was the backdrop for roughly 50 volunteers, including a handful of energetic kids ready to run wild in the forest! The eager crowd was met with an warmer than usual morning and bright sunshine as breakfast was enjoyed and the days events were set to begin. Parents bid their children farewell as they hiked off to work on the trail, and the kids were set to spend the day with Yampatika and VOC's very own Youth Coordinator. The trail work consisted of constructing a new loop that would offer visitors to the Dry Lake Campground an easily accessible hiking opportunity directly from the campground. The new route meandered through a dense stand of mature Aspen trees and thick Bracken Ferns. Crews diligently set about their task despite the thick swarms of hungry mosquitos angling for a quick feed. As the work drew to a close for the day a slight rain began to fall. The rain persisted until dinner and eventually turned into hail. Fortunately the sun prevailed and volunteers were treated to a prize laden raffle that only increased the ecstatic enthusiasm of the children. Once the evenings events drew to a close people shuffled off to camp, while others took a trip to take advantage of the warm healing waters of the Olde Town Hot Springs in Steamboat. Sunday morning was a bit cooler, and everyone was moving a bit slower. Once the sun made an appearence, and breakfast was served motivation returned and awaited instructions for the day. The work was similar, and progress was moving swiftly along until the early afternoon where we found ourselves in an open field digging through thick vegetation in the high heat of the day. As the day drew to a close, satisfied volunteers shook hands, exchanged pleasentries, and made plans to connect in the near future. As the town of Steamboat Springs grew smaller in the mirror of the truck, and Rabbit Ears Pass loomed large, I couldn't help but think of how great it will be to return to this area in the years to come to help this popular trail system grow in a sustainable fashion Successes and Challenges: Successes: Coordinated a happy camping experience for volunteers and their families, Developed a positive working relationship with a potential new land manager, organized half price passes for the Olde Town Hot Springs for volutneers to attend, completed over 2000' of new trail with approximately 35 volunteers, Challenges: Redirected camping logistics after a slight change of plans from the campground host, rain delay during Saturday nights dinner, mosquitos. Lessons Learned: I learned how to make a poor man's Mocha on the project. A Game changer. Special Notes: Steamboat Springs is interested in a multi year effort to complete much needed trail construction in the Buffalo Pass Area. Stewardship Education: Many highlights were mentioned on this project. - Mike O'Brien Memorial Fund - Grand Milestone Project - Colorado Lottery Key Concerns or Comments from Staff or Volunteers: There were no key concerns or comments to spek of. Description of Accidents/Incidents: There were no incidents or accidents to speak of. Description of Work Completed: