GOULD, Colorado — Volunteers, recruited by Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC), completed about 450 feet of new trail at State Forest State Park in one week to improve a confusing and difficult section of the Ruby Jewel Trail.  The crew of about ten people worked from Aug. 9 through Aug. 13, selecting a new route for the trail, moving several tons of large boulders out of the way, building rock walls, cutting trail tread into steep slopes, digging trenches, filling in the former trail tread, placing stepping stones and revegetating the old trail.

The old trail bordered a swamp and was being steadily obscured by willows.  Hikers passing through, unable to find the trail, had been creating new routes in this sensitive area.  The new trail is about twenty feet higher in elevation above the old one, adding several new views of the scenic area and giving many more opportunities to see the moose and elk that frequent the area. VOC recruited the volunteers, who camped in the area where they worked.  Park staff assisted the volunteers and cooked scrumptious meals to keep them well fueled for their work.

“We expected about 15 volunteers, but the 10 that did participate worked extra long and hard to complete all of the work that we had hoped to get out of fifteen people,” said Tim Gaines, trails coordinator for State Forest State Park.  “Not only was the scope of this project beyond what the park staff could accomplish, but the amazing quality of the work was also far above what we had hoped to see.”

“It makes hiking this trail a little easier and much more scenic,” said Gaines.

Getting to Ruby Jewel Trail

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