2018-Volunteer Adventure: Sangre de Cristo Wilderness Trail Restoration (Rito Alto Trail)

Start Date-End Date: 08/20/2018-08/24/2018 Land Manager Office: USFS - Saguache Ranger District Land Manager Contact: Mathew Dayer Funding Partner: Crestone Wilderness Stewards Programmatic Partner: Summary: This 5-day backcountry project is perfect for volunteers looking for an intimate, remote experience. Description: PLEASE NOTE: Participation in all five days of this project is required due to the backcountry nature of the project. About the Stewardship Site: The rugged and beautiful Sangre de Cristo Wilderness covers more than 220,000 acres, home to dozens of alpine lakes, countless cascading waterfalls, deep canyons, four "14ers", bighorn sheep and bears. The wilderness borders the eastern side of the San Luis Valley (not far from the town of Crestone) and offers stunning views of the San Juan Mountain Range to the west. Volunteers will work to restore the Rito Alto Trail, which winds through a steep canyon and past small meadows to Rito Alto Lake, which sits 11,400 feet above sea level. About the Volunteer Experience: Volunteers ages 18+ are invited to join us for a five-day backcountry experience through the remote beauty of the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness! With a small group of 15 people or less, you'll spend the first day hikingin tobase camp at Rito Alto Lake (7+ miles, 3000' gain). Then, you'll spend the next three days restoring the Rito Alto Trail by repairing deeply eroded tread, building and improving drainage structures, clearing trees, removing rocks, and more before hiking out on the fifth and final day. Throughout your volunteer vacation, you'll be treated to good company, good views, and fantastic food from legendary volunteer Crew Chef, Tim Zvada. Due to the remote backcountry nature of this project, volunteers are required to register for all five days of the project.We have another Volunteer Adventure in the South San Juan Wilderness on July 16-20. About the Overall Impact: The trails within the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness are badly neglected and in urgent need of repair. With limited staffing from the U.S. Forest Service to maintain this remote area, the work that VOC volunteers complete will likely be the only maintenance on the trail for quite some time and is critical to ensuring these trails can remain accessible and sustainable for recreationists. Need-to-Know Details: All days are requireddue to the remote nature of this project.Volunteers not registered for the entirety of the project will be removed from the registration list. Cancellation:As awilderness area, there is a strict 15-person limit.Our land manager partners rely on VOC volunteers to accomplish critical stewardship needs, and our projects often have wait lists. If you need to cancel, pleasecontact Jamie Burkeat 303-715-1010 ext. 116 as soon as possible so we can free your spot for another volunteer and have a full workforce. Latitude/Longitude: 38.034329, -105.717241 Additional Information: Camping Available: Yes Physical Difficulty: Difficult High Altitude Project: Yes Desired Number of Volunteers: 14 Total Adult Volunteers Attended: 60 Total Youth Volunteers Attended: 0 Total Volunteer Days: 60 Total Unique Volunteers: 12 Total Volunteer Hours: 552 Staff Hours: 49 Stipend Hours: 0 Project Summary: How many volunteers were on the project and how many hours were contributed? 12 people 552 hours Brief description of need for the project: The Rito Alto Trail in the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness is highly neglected and under-cared for. Over the years the drainage structures and trail tread have degraded significantly. The distances and steep rugged terrain of these mountains makes it a place where good trail maintenance work is often not done. Goals accomplished (example: feet of trail built, acres of invasive weeds removed, etc.): Improved 2 creek crossings Installed 39 rock steps Installed 105 new drains! Improved 11 existing drains Restored 2 signs Built 2 cairns Constructed 20 feet of turnpike Thinned 6 trees Cleared 3 downed trees with a cross cut saw Revegetated 144 feet of trail Improved and maintained an entire mile of trail! Importance of work and volunteer effort: We worked on important trail maintenance for sustainability and resource protection on this under cared for trail. We worked to reduce impacts on vegetation and soils by reconstructing and building new drainage structures; repairing some signage; improving creek crossings, clearing downed trees and more! Improving the integrity of the Rito Alto Trail will help to protect the high country and alpine resources, as well as provide for a safe and sustainable trail to endure for hikers, backpackers, equestrians and hunters. Highlights (example: band, volunteer appreciation raffle, educational presentation): Amazing food and desserts by Dutch oven crew chef master, Tim Zvada Campfires! Camping in a beautiful high mountain meadow Working with the USFS Regional Pack String - Trepper Osburn, his horse Qunicy, and 6 beautiful mules! Raffle at the end of the trip 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: