Description
Start Date-End Date: 06/09/2017-06/09/2017
Land Manager Office: USFS - South Platte Ranger District
Land Manager Contact: Brandon Mitchell
Funding Partner:
Programmatic Partner:
Summary: Get lost, at no cost, in the beauty of the Lost Creek Wilderness Area as you help repair a trail.
Description: About the Stewardship Site:
The Wigwam Trail resides in the 120,000-acre Lost Creek Wilderness Area, a very popular wilderness area located 60 miles southwest of Denver, yet feels like it's a million miles away from civilization. The Wigwam Trail is mainly used for hiking and passes through gorgeous aspen groves, sun-drenched wide open meadows, and several beaver ponds.
About the Volunteer Experience:
The combination of human wear-and-tear and heavy rainfall in recent years has rapidly increasd rates of erosion on the Wigwam Trail. On this project, a small group of just over a dozen volunteers will perform maintenance and repair along damaged sections. Work may include constructing drainage and erosion control structures using rock, re-establishing tread and outslope, and cleaning out and reinforcing existing drainage structures, among other tasks. Activity requires moderate- to- difficult physical exertion, and volunteers can expect to hike up to 2 miles to reach the worksite. This project is the perfect fit for those who don't want to travel far from the Front Range, and who can appreciate the quiet backcountry experience that wilderness areas offer!
About the Overall Impact:
The U.S. Forest Service district that manages the Lost Creek Wilderness is limited in the staff time they can commit to trail maintenance, and often volunteers are the only way that damaged trails can be restored or maintained. The critical restoration performed on this project will ensure the Wigwam Trail's sustainability and usability for the long term.
Latitude/Longitude: 39.246219, -105.354320
Additional Information:
Camping Available: No
Physical Difficulty: Moderate, Difficult
High Altitude Project: No
Desired Number of Volunteers: 15
Total Adult Volunteers Attended: 13
Total Youth Volunteers Attended: 0
Total Volunteer Days: 13
Total Unique Volunteers: 13
Total Volunteer Hours: 156
Staff Hours: 2
Stipend Hours: 0
Project Summary: 13 volunteers participated in the June 9th Wigwam Trail Restoration project in the Lost Creek Wilderness. The crew completed construction of a 17' bridge over Wigwam Creek, using materials procured onsite to build the new crossing. They also performed trail improvements in the surrounding area.
Successes and Challenges:
Lessons Learned:
Special Notes:
Stewardship Education:
Key Concerns or Comments from Staff or Volunteers: Dan - Steve West did an exceptional job leading this project. I don't routinely provide this kind of praise. I am a full-time volunteer and have witnessed a wide variety of team leaders. He did a great job in task explanation, proper tool use demonstration and then with feedback on our use, equitable task assignment, performance observation and reinforcement, and break management.
Best of the best. I gained new skill in using a crosscut saw, peavey, and scraper. Great experience.
Mark Hinchman
Description of Accidents/Incidents:
Description of Work Completed:
Details
| 18 and older |
