We are lucky. Those of us in the Roaring Fork Valley can drive, pedal, walk or even take a bus less than 20 miles and begin a journey into primitive areas that early 20th-century conservationists called "a serious human need rather than a luxury ... " And whether you venture into designated Wilderness Areas for exercise, the scenery, or that basic "human need," one thing is for certain: established trails on public lands get you there.
This summer, RFOV volunteers will have a chance to help repair trails in two Wilderness Areas: American Lake Trail in Aspen on August 7 and Raspberry Creek Trail in Marble on September 11.These two trails are examples of RFOV’s diversity of projects that connect residents with their natural surroundings. Whether you lean toward improving the health of our rivers (Tamarisk Removal on October 2), maintaining well-loved mountain biking trails (Scout-Forest Hollow in May 2010), repairing renowned hiking destinations (Hanging Lake Trail on September 18 & 19), or reclaiming old mining sites (Smuggler Mountain on Aug. 28), as an RFOV participant you can learn about the range of unique ecosystems in our region.
"Our mission is to help create a sense of connection to and ownership of public lands, and each individual has a responsibility to help take care of those lands," says David Hamilton, executive director of RFOV.
"Our main goal—through volunteerism, by building trails, wetlands, and more—also affects a larger number of people who live or visit here because of the natural beauty."
American Lake and Raspberry Creek are not the first projects in Wilderness for RFOV. Over the past 15 years, our volunteers have worked on the Snowmass Lake, Capitol Creek, Maroon Lake, Difficult, Pyramid Peak, Granite Lakes, Crater Lake and Eagle Lake trails, as well as an archeological project in the Flat Tops Wilderness. Martha Moran, a recreation specialist with the White River National Forest, says maintenance of these trails in Wilderness is critical to the Forest Service.
"Having a Forest-Service-established trail in any wilderness ensures the effects of protecting the wilderness resource by not having unmanaged spider-web trails and minimizes human activities encroaching wilderness," she says.
The 2.3-million-acre White River National Forest is the top recreation forest in the nation, according to the USFS, and is known as the birthplace of Wilderness. Today, it contains seven Wilderness Areas: the Raggeds, Hunter Fryingpan, Collegiate Peaks, Flat Tops, Ptarmigan Peak, Eagle’s Nest, and Maroon Bells-Snowmass.
Close to home, the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness is familiar to both locals and visitors. Designated in 1980, this wilderness exemplifies Rocky Mountain splendor: vast regions lie above treeline; six peaks tower above 14,000 feet; trails lead over nine passes above 12,000 feet; and long glacial valleys point the way to alpine lakes.
American Lake is located in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness. Rising steeply from the trailhead (just before the historic ghost town of Ashcroft), the trail switches back through the aspen for about 1.5 miles before reaching a spruce forest. After the trail passes through forest and meadows that are ablaze with wild flowers from mid-July to mid-August, it enters a scree field near a waterfall before reaching the lake.
Raspberry Creek, in the Raggeds Wilderness south of Marble, is a lightly used trail offering views and solitude. The nine-mile loop over Anthracite Pass is considered arduous but picturesque. Even for experienced hikers, the loop can present an interesting orienteering challenge.
"Raspberry Creek ... is more of a wilder hike with lots of solitude opportunities and a good possibility of viewing wildlife," Moran explains.
Whether it’s the recreational opportunities, scenic vistas, or the humbling height of granite peaks, many of us love this region for its natural landscape. Join RFOV this season for some trail and conservation work on public lands that inspire awe and fulfill a "serious human need."
