2017-Wheeler Geologic Area Trail Restoration

Start Date-End Date: 07/10/2017-07/14/2017 Land Manager Office: USFS - Divide Ranger District Land Manager Contact: Lisa McClure Funding Partner: National Forest Foundation, Roundup Riders of the Rockies Heritage and Trails Foundation Programmatic Partner: Summary: On this 5-day backcountry adventure, help restore a trail at one of the country's most fascinating natural wonders. Description: About the Stewardship Site: This site is a must if you've never been!Located near the historic mining town of Creede in the San Juan Mountains, Wheeler Geologic Area is the centerpiece of the pristine La Garita Wilderness. At Wheeler, a mound of volcanic ash has eroded over millions of years into a landscape filled with unworldly beauty. The geology here, including an amazing series of pinnacles and spires, is so unique and astounding that the area became Colorado's first National Monument in 1908. About the Volunteer Experience: Though Wheeler is accessible by an ATV and 4x4 Jeep road, volunteers will backpack into basecamp via the 9-mile East Bellows Trail. Volunteers will pick up where the VOC crew left off after our successful 2016 project, and can expect moderate-to-difficult work. This may include closing unsafe user-created trails, clearing the corridor, building erosion-control structures and reconstructing sections of washed-out trail. This will be an intimate volunteer experience, with a maximum of 20 people. You will get to know many people from around the state as you spend 5 days and 4 nights working and living together. There will be sleeping under the stars, eating s'mores by the campfire, and amazing geologic formations! What more could you ask for! Note: Due to the backcountry nature of this project, volunteers are required to register for all five days of the project. Volunteers not registered for the entirety of the project will be removed from the registration list. About the Overall Impact: Though Wheeler is completely surrounded by Wilderness, a 4x4 and ATV road provides access to the base where a short hike can take visitors to the area, making it a popular option for day use. The designated trail has been cut in several places, establishing an unsustainable user-created trail that is eroding into the headwaters of West Bellows Creek. Our project will address a critical need for trail maintenance to address erosion and increases overall safety. Latitude/Longitude: 37.880751, -106.783708 Additional Information: Camping Available: Yes Physical Difficulty: Difficult High Altitude Project: Yes Desired Number of Volunteers: 20 Total Adult Volunteers Attended: 50 Total Youth Volunteers Attended: 0 Total Volunteer Days: 30 Total Unique Volunteers: 10 Total Volunteer Hours: 355 Staff Hours: 10 Stipend Hours: 0 Project Summary: A handful of volunteers made the 9-mile trek into the La Garita Wilderness to address critical sustainability issues on the trail leading to the Wheeler Geologic Area. The five-day trip was cut short due to rain, but they were still able to mitigate erosion by constructing water bars and rerouting part of the trail, sleep under the stars, and enjoy scenic vistas unlike anywhere else! Successes and Challenges: Two main challenges: At one point we had all 20 spots filled. However, a rash of cancellations led to only 9 volunteers showing up for project day. Then, rain forced early evacuation of the project. When it rains too much the road into Wheeler becomes impassable. Sure enough, the VOC vehicle got stuck for a few weeks before we could retrieve it. Lessons Learned: Schedule this project in the fall so we avoid the summer monsoon rains. NO EXCEPTIONS Special Notes: Stewardship Education: Key Concerns or Comments from Staff or Volunteers: Description of Accidents/Incidents: Description of Work Completed: