Trail work set for Oct. 3-4
MINTURN — On Oct. 3-4, the statewide nonprofit Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado, in partnership with the Forest Service Eagle-Holy Cross Ranger District and the Vail Valley Mountain Bike Association, is seeking about 100 volunteers to help provide improvements to the Minturn Mile trail.
The Minturn Mile leads from Vail to the town of Minturn and has become an increasingly popular trail for locals and visitors. Hundreds of snow sport enthusiasts utilize the Minturn Mile during the winter months. In the summer, the trail is a mountain biking, hiking and equestrian route.
Fix Erosion Damage
Due to the trail’s popularity and natural wear and tear, portions of the trail have suffered from erosion and other maintenance issues — namely, the Cougar Ridge section. Due to the deteriorating conditions, trail use has dropped steadily in recent years. Volunteers are needed to realign and construct nearly 4,000 feet of trail to safe and sustainable conditions by installing erosion-control and water diversion structures, as well as building new climbing turns and switchbacks to meander through aspen groves. Furthermore, these improvements along the Courage Ridge section will enable the trail to connect from the town of Minturn into a network of trails in Vail’s Back Bowls, offering a new amenity for the town’s residents and economic benefits through the increase in recreational visitors.
No Experience Necessary
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No experience is necessary to volunteer. For registered volunteers, free meals and camping will be provided. The project will take place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 3 and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 4. The minimum age to volunteer on this project is 14.
Volunteers are asked to register in advance to ensure adequate quantities of tools, supplies, and food. Register via the Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado volunteer project calendar at http://www.voc.org/projects or call 303-715-1010.