Get your hands dirty!

Volunteers sought for outdoor projects in and around Summit County

Get News Feeds

By BOB BERWYN
summit daily news
Summit County, CO Colorado
May 9, 2008

Comments
Print Email

SUMMIT COUNTY — As the big meltdown begins, local outdoor groups are gearing up for a summer of stewardship, taking care of trails, cleaning up public lands and educating hikers about wilderness ethics and rules.

Volunteer efforts have played a growing role in public land management, as Forest Service budgets fail to keep pace with demand for recreation and the need for maintenance. Local volunteers contributed thousands of hours of time last year to help maintain natural resources and recreational opportunities.

Local groups with a focus on national forest lands and open space have slated a full schedule of activities, including today’s tree-planting on a reclaimed piece of old mining ground at Muggins Gulch.

Mountain bikers today
Summit mountain bikers will also get started on their summer activities today with the annual membership drive breakfast and ride, starting at the Hearthstone Restaurant in Breckenridge. Get more information by calling (970) 376-8323 or on the web at http://www.sfts.us.

Looking to get high?
The Colorado Fourteeners Initiative is holding a May 22 volunteer open house at the American Mountaineering Center in Golden for people interested in maintaining the wild, pristine quality of the state's highest peaks. Contact Jessica Evett at (303) 278-7650, jessica@14ers.org for more information.

Friends of Dillon Ranger District
The Friends of the Dillon Ranger District is doing it annual forest cleanup day May 17, helping clear out winter detritus from public lands in Summit County. Contact Scott Ferguson at (970) 262-3449, or fdrd.ferguson@gmail.com.

Off Road maintenance project
For motorized recreation fans, the Summit County Off Road Riders are working on trail maintenance May 31. Contact Chuck Ginsburg at (970) 390-5600, or chuckginsburg@comcast.net.

Friends of Eagles Nest Wilerness
The Friends of the Eagles Nest Wilderness will start on their trail projects for the summer June 7 with a forest restoration day, working on dips, building repairing water bars, and clearing brush. Contact Jonathan Kriegel at 9970) 262-2399, or check the friends website at http://www.fenw.org.

Sunday wilderness hike
Another wilderness hike, including a family picnic, is set for Sunday to Spraddle Creek. Contact Lisa Smith at Lisa Smith at (720) 635-3246 or (303) 405-6707, or lisa@cecenviro.org. More information on the Hidden Gems wilderness proposal is online at http://www.whiteriverwild.org.

Breckenridge single track
Breckenridge gets into the act Wednesday with a work day to build a new single track that will make a crucial connection between the Middle Flume and Gold Run Road on the Golden Horseshoe area. Contact Tony Overlock at tonyo@townofbreckenridge.com or at (970) 547-3155.

Quandary Peak exercise
High altitude stewards are wanted for a May 21-22 training day on Quandary Peak, with the goal of education users about minimum-impact practices in the high alpine environment. Contact Jessica Everett at Jessica Evett at jessica@14ers.org
or at (303) 278-7650.

Tenmile hike
And the campaign to add extensive new wilderness in Summit County continues May 25 with a hike into the proposed Tenmile wilderness addition south of Breckenridge. Contact Lisa Smith at Lisa Smith at (720) 635-3246 or (303) 405-6707, or lisa@cecenviro.org. More information on the Hidden Gems wilderness proposal is online at http://www.whiteriverwild.org.

Volunteer opportunities
Go to the Friends of the Dillon Ranger District website at www.fdrd.org for the full calendar.