Description
Start Date-End Date: 06/03/2023-06/04/2023
Land Manager Office: USFS - Rio Grande National Forest
Land Manager Contact: Matthew Schomburg
Funding Partner:
Programmatic Partner:
Summary: Join this opportunity to become a steward of your public lands! No experience required, just the desire to be outside and care for Colorado's hiking trails in a fun, social setting.
Description: *Insert description from Golden
Latitude/Longitude: 37.97921, -105.72383
Additional Information:
Camping Available: Yes
Physical Difficulty: Difficult
High Altitude Project: Yes
Desired Number of Volunteers: 30
Total Adult Volunteers Attended:
Total Youth Volunteers Attended:
Total Volunteer Days:
Total Unique Volunteers:
Total Volunteer Hours: 0
Staff Hours: 42.5
Stipend Hours: 0
Project Summary: This was the first SLV project of the season and the capacity was set at 30. It filled up quickly with a waitlist. We worked on 4 different trails, 2 crosscut and 2 general maintenance. Working on 4 trails on one project required support from the Saguache RD staff to ensure there is a lead on each trail with radio communication and first aid. I hosted the same project the year before and found it very difficult to run without USFS staff support due to staffing issues on the district. The project went really well, accomplishing a good amount of work on each trail and although the forecast was looking pretty wet we only ended up with a little rain on Sunday afternoon. Camping at the Baca is a great basecamp for any work in the Sangres, we usually do a little work around the refuge on Sunday as a thank you for hosting us (weed pulling, racking up cottonwood branches)
Cottonwood Creek Trailhead: Coordinates 37.93440, -105.64339
S Crestone Trailhead: Coordinates 37.98920, -105.66157
San Isabel Trailhead: Coordinates 38.03251, -105.71734
Rito Alto Trailhead: Coordinates 38.07854, -105.75841
Baca Campground Site: 37.9790631820285, -105.72318441109502
Camped at the Baca Wildlife Refuge- required a special use permit which can be issues by the refuge manager.
CAMPING INFORMATION:
There will be tent and car camping options at the project campsite. No limitations for campers or large
vehicles, there is plenty of room. We will also have access to the visitor center for restrooms and water.
We will be carpooling a short drive to the trailheads for the project work each day. Those roads require
4x4 so we will work out the best way to get volunteers to each trailhead Saturday morning.
Successes and Challenges: Challenges
Coordinating work groups to go out on 4 different trails with carpooling is always a little though to manage. Assigning volunteers to groups and having CLs manage logistics for their group works best but the morning still always seems a little chaotic until we get everyone in cars.
Crew chefs had a little trouble working together, we had one lead and 2 assistants who are actually lead chefs. a lot of cooks in the kitchen but most of the drama was behind the scenes and the food was great.
Successes
Camping at the Baca always makes planning this project a breeze. The first year we had to get a porta potty but they let us use the restroom this time around.
Had an evening storm with a beautiful double rainbow!
Lessons Learned: Having USFS flag out the work before hand was a huge help and kept volunteers on track. I also GPSed all the flags with details on the work so CLs could have a map beforehand and know what to expect.
Special Notes:
Stewardship Education:
Key Concerns or Comments from Staff or Volunteers:
Description of Accidents/Incidents: n/a
Description of Work Completed:
Details
| 16 and older |
