San Juan Mountains Association

STEWARDSHIP: Colorado Trail Volunteer

SJMA is thrilled to announce that we've taken on the adoption of Segment 25.1 of the Colorado Trail. This segment stretches 11 miles from Molas Pass to Rolling Pass, and is a beautiful & dynamic section. 

We'll be hosting 2 adoption trail projects throughout the summer. Trip #1 will be a scoping mission for our segment, determining our scope of work for the summer. Trip #2 will complete minor trail maintenance work across 5.5 miles from Rolling Pass to the middle of the segment. Trip #3 will complete minor trail maintenance work across 5.5 miles from Molas Pass to the middle of the segment. Each trip will last three days and two nights.

Equipment: SJMA & CTF will provide all tools, hardhats, gloves, volunteer shirts, and eye protection. Volunteers will need to provide all their own equipment for camping or backpacking (food, water, sleeping set-up). 

Transportation: We will be providing a van carpool from the SJMA office in Durango to Molas Pass and back to Durango for each of these projects. Or, you are welcome to drive yourself to Molas Pass and meet us for the project. 

Details: NO trail experience is required to participate in any of these projects! Any volunteers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. If we need to cancel or shift project dates due to weather, we'll be in contact as soon as possible and work with the group to adjust as needed. 

Training: No training is required for any of these projects. All trail work training will take place in the field, led by SJMA staff. Read up on trail maintenance resources from CTF here. 

Colorado Trail trip #1 (July 18th-20th): This trip will involve hiking ~22 miles in 3 days, with moderate duty trail work.

Day 1 (7/18): Park at Molas Pass in the morning, review safety talk, pack supplies, and hike 6 miles to our basecamp for the trip. From basecamp, we'll begin trail work on the 5 miles between Rolling Pass and our basecamp. Then head back to camp for the night!
Day 2 (7/19): From basecamp, hike 5 miles to Rolling Pass and complete trail work between Rolling Pass and basecamp. Head back to basecamp for the night.
Day 3 (7/20): Finish up any last trail work near basecamp in the morning. Then, pack up basecamp, hike 6 miles back to Molas Pass, and drive back to town. 

Colorado Trail trip #2 (August 15th-17th):  This trip will involve hiking ~11 miles in 3 days, with moderate duty trail work. This trip will be supported by pack animal support for overnight gear & tools.

Day 1 (8/15): Park at Molas Pass in the morning, review safety talk, pack supplies, and hike 6 miles down the trail. Start trail work on the trail between mile 6 and mile 4 from Molas Pass. Set up camp at mile 5 from Molas Pass. 
Day 2 (8/16): Pack up camp and continue trail work on the trail between miles 4 - 2 from Molas Pass. Hike down to the campsites at Little Molas Lake and set up camp for the night. 
Day 3 (8/17): Finish up trail work between mile 3 - Molas Pass. Pack up camp at Little Molas Lake and hike down to the parking lot.