2017 Restoration Project Monitoring Hikes Green Mountain - Saturday, August 19 Last of a series of hikes to some of our favorite places
What did volunteers accomplish with digging, raking, cementing, dragging and giving back to these wild areas? Are the closures secure? Are the critters moving through? Are hikers enjoying the solitude and sounds of just the wind and water?
Wild Connections will guide these combination hiking and monitoring trips. Some folks will focus on photos and descriptions of changes; others will just enjoy a fine excursion into the back country. Those of you who worked on the projects are especially invited to come. Click the images for an enlarged view. Farnum Peak and Selkirk Gulch were completed in July Green Mountain, August 19 10 am-3 pm We'll return to the west slopes of Green Mountain in Pike National Forest, near Bailey, to discover the progress of our ongoing restoration of the area, last monitored in 2015. Though a short 4 mile round trip, the hiking is challenging because the roadway has been obliterated, so we'll follow its remnant off-trail. We'll check for revegetation, wetlands revival, wildlife recovery (we spotted elk on our last visit) and any illegal intrusion, and discuss our findings. Please wear sturdy hiking boots and bring raingear, water, snacks, and lunch. Photographers welcome! Registration is required, Contact Lee Patton to RSVP and for trailhead directions: lee_patton@hotmail.com or 303-777-4396.
Wildlands Hikes
Sheep Mountain Day Hike Saturday, August 26th Time TBD Located southwest of Fairplay, the area is a gap in the mountain ridges that has attracted dirt bikes and ATVs. This will be a strenuous 8-10 mile hike with 2000 feet elevation gain and a high point of 12,500 feet. Learn about the impacts of motorized trails and proposed motorized trails to high mountain tundra areas.
Contact Jim Lockhart at jlock@datawest.net or (719) 385-0045 for more information and to register for the trip.
Trips are sponsored by Wild Connections, Pikes Peak Group of Sierra Club and Central Colorado Wilderness Coalition. Times are trailhead to trailhead.
Wild Connections 2168 Pheasant Place, Colorado Springs CO 80909 info@wildconnections.org
