the long and short of the arbaney-kittle -...

T h e N e w s l e t t e r o f R o a r i n g F o r k O u t d o o r V o l u n t e e r s Summer 2008

Roaring Fork Outdoor VolunteersP.O. Box 1341

Basalt, CO 81621

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Advisory CouncilPaul R. AndersenJane BattagliaNeal BeidlemanLou DawsonRandy GoldDick JacksonChris LaneHowie MalloryRoger MaroltScott ScharinGram SlatonCurt StrandJacque Whitsitt

Mapping the future, Part II 2

Perfect 10: sneak preview of 2008 projects 3

Mapping the future 4

Standouts: 2007 volunteer awards 5

Toolbox: No worries! Be a fi rst-time volunteer with RFOV 8

T h i s p o p u l a r , m u l t i - p u r p o s e t r a i l h a s i t a l l

Volunteers made great improvements to the Arbaney-Kittle Trail in 2002. It’s time to do more.

the long and short of the arbaney-kittle

Lots of folks are excited about this upcoming project on RFOV’s 2008 schedule. It’s an improvement and

maintenance project on the Arbaney-Kittle Trail that runs from Basalt to Kobey Park above Woody Creek. Th e trail follows an historic ranching road/ pack trail that climbs 2,000 feet from the valley fl oor in Basalt to the ridgeline separating the Roaring Fork and Fryingpan river valleys. Th e trail is heavily used and is near and dear to the hearts of two sets of trail users. To the residents of Basalt and the mid-valley, the steep climb is a daily or weekly aerobic workout, dog walk or nature hike, or perhaps a bit of all three. Th e trail is to Basalt what the Smuggler Mountain Road is to Aspen

or the Scout Trail is to Glenwood Springs: the close-to-town trail that quickly and easily connects them with nature and their

“backyard.” To those who want to hike or bike between Basalt and Aspen without leaving back country, the Arbaney-Kittle provides connections through Kobey Park, Lenado, and the Hunter Creek Valley. While this can be a 20-mile journey for

the fi t and adventurous, the Arbaney-Kittle Trail is extremely popular with cyclists, equestrians, and hikers. Th e dark side of this otherwise glorious experience is about a ½-mile section of trail that traverses the steep fl anks of Sloane Peak.

The Arbaney-Kittle trail is to Basalt what Smuggler is to Aspen or the Scout Trail is to Glenwood Springs...

a connection to our backyard.

www.rfov.orgwww.rfov.org

In our last issue of Our Backyard we discussed the

updating of RFOV’s Strategic Plan and some of the ideas we were considering. Since February our Board of Directors has spent the majority of several meetings discussing the “Menu of Options” we had developed. Th ese discussions have been centered around how we can most eff ectively increase the numbers of volunteers working on our trails and public lands.

Th ese were the three critical criteria in our deliberations:• Which new initiatives show the most

potential to grow the numbers (of volunteers, projects, and fi nancial support)?

• Are the ideas in keeping with our mission of stewardship?

• What ideas would give us the most results for any increase in our operating budget – the biggest bang for the buck?

Th e Board has settled on three priorities, in the following order.

More and/or larger projects While “larger projects” is something of a misnomer, we do believe we could change the packaging and timing of projects to create more awareness and community support. One idea is to work on a specifi c site more than once in a year, in eff ect having more of a theme or

centerpiece to a given project season. A related idea is to initiate a signifi cant project that would energize the community and would take several years to complete. (for example. re-establishing sections of the old wagon road up to Independence Pass as a trail.)

The other idea with potential is to set up short

evening projects on a weekday during the summer to complement our current model of full-day Saturday projects. Let’s say

every Wednesday evening for the month of July we would work on the Ute Trail in Aspen and then switch to the Scout Trail in Glenwood Springs for August. Th ere are several advantages to this concept. such as opening up opportunities for the many who work on Saturday. Two to three hours

of good physical work may be more doable and enticing than seven hours on a Saturday, and the structure could be less formal. “It’s Trail Day, I’ll go work on the Ute or the Scout!”

Increase the number of Adopt-A-Trail Groups RFOV has had between

six and ten groups each year participate in our Adopt-A-Trail program. We believe if we organize a more active recruitment drive we should be able to increase the number of groups involved and the miles of trail maintained dramatically.

P.O. Box 1341 • Basalt, CO 81621970-927-8241

Toll free 1-877-662-5220e-mail: [email protected] • rfov.org

Board of DirectorsTony Battaglia • Amy Capron, Chair

Erica Delak • Doug LeibingerTodd Richmond, Treasurer

Linda Schuemaker, SecretarySuzanne Wolff • Eileen Wysocki

committees

Crew Leader DevelopmentBilly Barbour • Michael Hutton

Melinda Ness • Brendan PollardKambry Shook , Chair• Lisa Tasker

DevelopmentJoAnne Aherns • Tony Battaglia, Chair

Doug Leibinger • Jim Noyes

Marketing & Publications Bruce Barth • Kirk Hinderberger Meredith McKee • Suzie Romig

Katy Schinas • Linda Schuemaker, Chair Lindsey Utter • Laura Vogel

Kathleen Wanatowicz

Project selectionRyan Anslyn • Paul Boyer • Charlie Eckart

Stephen Ellsperman • Chad LudlowBrian Magee • Michael Thompson, Chair

Suzanne Wolff

ToolsBilly Barbour • Paul Boyer • Tony Battaglia

Mark Schuemaker, Chair

Town to town tourAmy Capron • Erica Delak • Charlie Eckart

Elliott Larson • Doug Leibinger • Gail Mason • Meredith McKee • Melinda Ness,

Co-chair • Brendan PollardLinda Schuemaker • Lisa Tasker • Michael

Thompson • Kathleen Wanatowicz Suzanne Wolff, Co-chair

Volunteer DevelopmentAmy Capron • Jane Battaglia

Jamin Heady-Smith, Co-chair • Elliott Larson Shari Nova • Eileen Wysocki, Co-chair

YouthPaul Boyer • RJ Jensen

Megan Perkins • Anne Swanson

StaffDavid Hamilton, Executive Director

Melissa DeHaan,Administrative & Program Assistant

Our MissionTo promote stewardship of our public lands by creating volunteer opportunities for trail

work and conservation projects

ROARING FORKO U T D O O R V O L U N T E E R S

mapping the future, Part II

david hamilton

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We do trails— together!We do trails— together!

What’s the buzz? Tell us your top concern about our valley’s trails. Go to www.rfov.org and click on “Contact Us.” We’ll compile your responses and report back in the winter edition of Our Backyard.

thank you, RFOV members!

Outdoor StewardsHarry Andrews FamilyTom & Beth EckertDoug & Rebecca Leibinger Billy Stolz Peter & Anne Wood Frank & Tamara Woods benefactorsKeith & Lee Bryant Bill & Jessica Budinger Muffy & Andy DiSabatino Laura Donnelley Bruce & Barbara Fretz Elizabeth & Robert Fergus Julie Goldstein Bruce Lee & Darby WillesDick & Barb Nelson Lynn Nichols & Jim Gilchrist FamilyAnne Rickenbaugh Garry & Sharon Snook Charles & Judy Tate

patronsJane & Tony Battaglia Richard Crandall & Pamela LevySteve & Maria Craven Brian & Stephanie Davies David & Ingegard Fehr Herbert & Dee Dee Glimcher Peter & Barbara Guy Jamin Heady-SmithMike & Carol HundertKen Janckila FamilyNeil & Susan Karbank Courtney & Karen Lord Joanne & Lee Lyon Dick & Barb NelsonMarie O’NeillJohn ProvineArthur RockSue Rodgers Greg & Patti Rulon John & Nancy Schneider Linda & Mark Schuemaker Curt & Fleur Strand Walter StuartTom & Roz TurnbullJody & Willie Wilson Suzanne Wolff & Gary TennenbaumAnonymous

Sustaining DonorsTom & Pam Acre Jim Albert & Janette LoganRyan Anslyn Michael & Glady Augello Ron Austin Paul & Carole Auvil Robert Beattie Jim & Susan Berdahl Tom & Sallie Bernard William & Paula Bernstein Shelley & John Bogaert Kathy Bollhoefer Sharon BoucherPaul & Nancy Boyer Bud & Ellen Burtis Chris & Renee Casper Kristeen Church Jack & Gesine Crandall Erica Delak & Andrew NettletonSimon & Jennifer Elliot Greg & Kathy Feinsinger Theba & Buster Feldman Darlynn & Tom Fellman Don & Audrey FleisherHoward & Marylee Foley Angela & Jeremy Foster Jane & Bill Frazer

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If you are, thank you! Your donation provides funding for operating expenses and buys tools, equipment, and materials for our trail and conservation projects.

And, it shows your commitment, and the breadth of our community’s commitment, to more potential supporters of RFOV.

If you’re not, here’s what you’re missing. Membership ensures that you receive our mailings, keeps you informed of volunteer oppportunities and projects, and recognizes your donation in our newsletters. Best of all, you have the satisfation of contributing to the health of our backyard: our spectacular natural surroundings! Please use the enclosed envelope to become a member today! A

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Build a youth program. Get the kids (and their parents) involved in volunteer conservation projects. We know there are tremendous opportunities and benefi ts to more proactively involving youth on conservation projects. We also know this is probably the most resource-intensive of our priorities, so the plan would be to take our time building this program. To help us get started, we could really use a few key volunteers who would be the champions and leaders of this initiative, so if you interested in helping, please contact us.

Other elements to implementing this new plan to increase volunteerism include increasing RFOV’s marketing and advertising eff orts, increasing our outreach eff orts to businesses and other groups, and engaging and connecting with all the folks who use, appreciate and treasure our community’s trails and spectacular natural surroundings.

We’re still working on putting the new plan on a two- to three-year timeline and developing the corresponding budget, wrapping up the process by the end of August.

I want to thank the RFOV Board for their time, work and consideration, and also the forty-plus volunteers who have contributed to the process by submitting their written suggestions and comments. Also, I would especially like to extend an invitation to our readers to help RFOV implement this new Strategic Plan by getting involved, sending in a donation, and helping to spread the word. Th e success of this plan will all come down to you and your commitment to the stewardship of this beautiful place we all love!

Ashcroft Boardwalk ProjectSaturday, Aug. 23

Arbaney-Kittle Trail ProjectSaturday, Sept. 13

Wulfsohn Trail ProjectSaturday, Sept. 27

Silt Tamarisk Removal Saturday, Oct. 11

Sign up! www.rfov.org

___ A

___B

___C

___D

___E

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a quick game of whodunitW h o ’ s r e s p o n s i b l e f o r a l l t h i s ?

Here’s a sampling of trail projects from around the valley. Can you match the photo to the trail

project and organization(s) responsible for it? Th e answers are below. If you’ve used any of these trails, you’ve already won!

more sustaining donors Liza Fulton Randy Gold & Dawn ShepardFrank GordonScott, Brett & Dawn GordonDean & Marilyn Greenberg John Guenther Bill & Kathy Hegberg Peter HelburnGregg & Karen Hemming Lesley & Alex Hill Karen & Bayard Hollins Cindy Houben Patrick & Christy Hunter Sandy Jackson Gary Jacobsen Ann Jeffrey Steve & Alice Jennison Chuck & Beverly Johnson Audrey Kentz Albie & Susan Kern Bruce Kime & Melissa DeHaanRobert & Kerry Kurtz Tom & Mezinda LankeringJon & Martha Lindenberg Sheldon & Marianne Lubar Lynne Mace Winnie & Roger Madsen Howie Mallory & FamilyTom & Lindy Melberg Joe & Vyonne Mincberg Martha Moran & Jim KirschvinkBob & Leslie MorseDavid Muckenhirn Dot & Barney Mulligan Marjory Musgrave & Frank PetersJim Neu Kerry Newman Galen Nourjian Steven O’Brien Kevin & Carole O’Brien Robert & Hillery Oddo Cavanaugh & Blanca O’Leary Robert Oxenberg James & Hensley Peterson Bob & Carolyn PurvisPam & Richard Rosenfeld Nancy Reinisch & Paul SalmenGregg & Marilee Rippy Renee RitchieBrian & Mary RobertsonPhilip & Marcia RothblumAndre Schwegler & Sherry SpyermanSherri Scruby & FamilyCarole, Bob, Ian, & Ty Sharp Michelle Sturm Lemoine & Clifton StuverRon & Donna Thompson Michael Thompson & Jan EagersGeorge & Dana Trantow Mark Tye Fred & Frances Uhler Kate Van Schaack Denny & Linda Vaughn JohnVillafrancoKaren Walker Mary & Larry WallaceJames Weiner Pamela WhittingtonTom & Claudia Wiley Nancy L Wilson Edward Wolkenmuth Eileen, Glenn & Sage Wysocki Anonymous

RFOV MembersGregg & Catherine Adams Clark Addington JoAnne & Dale AhrensJean Allard Russell Anderson Becky & Gary Anslyn

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Colorow Trail, New CastleNew 3.2-mile loop trailBLM and RFOV

Water diversion structure on the Doc Holliday Trail, above Glenwood SpringsCity of Glenwood, Frontier Historical Society, and RFOV

Trail reroute and closure, Diffi cult Campground and Trail near AspenUS Forest Service and RFOV

Stepping stones at Eagle Lake, near Woods Lake, Fryingpan ValleyUS Forest Service and RFOV

Turnpike over a bog, Capitol Creek Trail in the Maroon / Snowmass WildernessUS Forest Service and RFOV

Flagstone pathway behind Rifl e Falls, Rifl e Falls State ParkColorado State Park Service and RFOV

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2

3

4

5

6

Love is on the Trails….several

volunteers have met and later

married through volunteering

with RFOV. Some of those

folks are on their way to raising

a family of their own little

volunteers.

Answers: 1E, 2D, 3C, 4B, 5A, 6D

Anyone who spends precious vacation time volunteering

to work fi ve days straight on trails has got to love trails.Granted, that vacationing trailwork experience was in beautiful Denali National Park in Alaska, but the 150 hours that Jamin Heady-Smith also will devote to local RFOV eff orts this year makes it clear he is a trail enthusiast. He enjoys it all – day hiking, backpacking, climbing fourteeners, hiking remote areas such as 11 miles up Avalanche Creek, and even solo bushwacking and forging rivers to avoid a grizzly bear in Alaska. “I love to hike. And I have the ability to get out there and help maintain the trails, so I kind of see it as an obligation,” Jamin said. He has found his involvement in RFOV to be a great way to meet top-notch, like-minded people. “You always meet nice people working on a trail,” he said. Jamin fi rst started volunteering as a youngster. He graduated from helping with city cleanup projects to a vivid experience just out of high school that shaped his life. He volunteered with the Student Conservation Association for three weeks of work and a week of hiking and canoeing in the backcountry at Voyageurs National Park in Minnesota. “Th e overall experience, living in the woods for one month, being able to see the beginning and after on trails, created a great sense of accomplishment,” he said. Before moving to Glenwood Springs two years ago for his current job as a tax manager, Jamin was active in a hiking club in Omaha, Neb., and helped with eff orts to reinstate natural grassland areas around the Missouri River.

In Colorado, Jamin already has worked on six Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado projects and 16 RFOV projects. He is a second-year RFOV crew leader, assists with crew leader training and serves as the co-chair of the Volunteer Development Committee. He jumps in to help with a myriad of tasks from course marshal for the

Town to Town Tour, to community outreach with Road Show presentations, to distribution of project fl yers. Fellow RFOV leaders call the hard-working and energetic volunteer

enthusiastic, generous, fun, friendly and dependable. “Jamin’s great concern for the environment shows, not only through how much time he spends hiking and climbing in the mountains, but is also demonstrated by the hundreds of hours he spends each year volunteering on trail projects,” said Eileen Wysocki, RFOV board member. “Jamin is an asset to RFOV because of his many levels of involvement and because of his outgoing personality and ability to get things done. With Jamin, it’s not just the quantity of time and work, but the impeccable quality and attention to detail he gives to every project and task.” When Jamin is not giving his time to RFOV, he is active with the Roaring Fork Young Professionals, a networking and community involvement group. Other evenings he gets his kicks in the karate studio training as a fi rst-degree purple belt with the Two Rivers Shotokan Karate Club. Jamin came to the valley because “I wanted to go somewhere I can go play in the mountains after work,” and that he does.

Suzie Romig

more rfov membersJohn Armstrong & Teresa SalvadoreGlenn Auerbacher Linda & George Austin-Martin Adriana Ayale-HireHilary Back & Terence McShaneLowell & Virginia Bair Billy Barbour Lee Barger & Cheri ZittrerMark Batmale Joseph & Elisabeth Olson-Bauer Bauer Ron Benson Janet Bertram Nell & Bill Birk Verena Bishop John & Liz Bokram Barbara Brines Joe Brown Teri Bruna Mr & Mrs James Bulkley Katey Buster Bev Campbell Amy Capron Jim & Kristen Carlson Sandra & Glenn Carris Joe Casteel Amy Cecil Molly & Steve ChildSusan & Scott Chism Hal Clark Lance Clarke & Susan PhilpCraig Cloyed Betty & Nick Coates Craig Corona & Gretchen ColeJanet Coursey Karen CoxJohn & Mary DalyDiane Darrough Susan Darrow Barb D’AutrechyBob & Renee Deutsch Mary Dominick Chuck & Doris Downey Bob & Renee DuetschTim & Gigi Durand Janis Dybdahl Rita Eberli Charlie Eckart & Annie GonzalesTed & Ruth EdmondsElyse Elliott & Jeremy BernsteinStephen, Jennifer, Chase & Spencer Ellsperman Pamela Elsner Olivia Emery & Michael HassigLee Ann Eustis Pat Fallin Steve & Ladonna Falwell Davis & Cathie FarrarNancy FehrmanJulie Findley Marguerite Flett Tom & Mary Lou Flynn FamilyJonathan & Julie Fox-Rubin Maureen Fox-Williams Lucas Franze Jennifer Freeman Mark Fuller & Penny AtzetClare Fuller Bruce Gabow & Debra MurphyAnn & Bill Gaechter Sara GartonAlena GaubaJudy Gaukel Jon Gibans Keven & John Goodwin Tom Gougeon Jess Granger Leslie Gray Doug & Peggy GraybealJordan Greengrass Krystina Greenwood Darryl & Saundra Grosjean David Guinnee Steve Hach & Martha AmesMary Lou Hafl inger & Tim McNultyJeffrey Hall & Marti Linda Halloran & Andrew TaylorJim Halterman & Rosemary Burkholder

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volunteer profileC a n - D o M a n J a m i n H e a d y - S m i t h

They’re lovely at look at, yes, but these fl owers aren’t native to our backyard. Like many species

classifi ed as noxious or invasive, they were brought from Europe and Asia as ornamentals, and escaped to our pastures, meadows and forests, crowding out native species and providing poor-quality forage for wildlife. Th ey’re often found in wildfl ower seed mix, and until recently, oxeye daisies (also known as Marguerite daisies) were available at local nurseries.

Oxeye Daisy. Th is member of the aster family was a plague on pastures and crop fi elds across Europe before invading the U.S. Th e Scots called the fl owers “gools;” the farmer with the most gools in his wheat fi eld had to pay an extra tax.

Typically growing between one and three feet tall from a rosette-shaped cluster of leaves, the fl owers appear on delicate stems with leaves that grow smaller and more widely spaced as they ascend. Th e fl owerhead is typically 1.5 to 2 inches across. Th e densely fi brous root system helps the plant spread from short rhizomes. Oxeye daisy often forms dense colonies where it is allowed to grow undisturbed.

A vigorous daisy can produce 26,000 seeds per plant; smaller specimens produce 1,300 to 4,000 seeds each. Tests have shown that 82% of the buried seeds remained viable after six years, and 1% were still viable after 39 years.

Yellow and Dalmatian toadfl ax (butter-and-eggs) have similar fl owers, with a long yellow throat charactirisctic of their snapdragon family. Yellow toadfl ax often has an orange center. Th e most distinctive diff erence is that yellow toadfl ax has narrow, linear leaves with a narrow stem, while Dalmatian toadfl ax has broad, gray-green, heart-shaped leaves that clasp a woody stem. Plants can grow three feet tall or more, and produce up to 500,000 seeds each. Both have an extensive creeping root system, with rhizomes similar to the oxeye.

So what can you do? Eliminate them from your own garden, spread the word to your neighbors, and when

you’re out on the trail, pull and remove them if possible. Your county weed manager will thank you!

Linda Schuemaker

more RFOV membersGeorgia & Andrew Hanson Jeremy Heiman Bob & Sue Helm Kristen Henry David Hiser Curtis & Kimberly Holland Phil & Gail Holstein Ken & Bettle HoltbyMichael Hutton FamilyJim Jensen Ann & Henry Jesse Greg & Sean Jeung Janet Johnson Katrina Johnson & Francisco SolisPeter & Sandy Johnson Peggy Johnston Anne Jones Jennifer Drury Jones & Robert Matthew JonesRalph Jones & Marguerite Traut Robert & Charlotte JonesJackie Kasabach Shelly, Dale & Jake Kaup Susan Kaye Linda & John Keleher Ann & Bill Keller Mary KimbroughBarbara & David Klein Bob & Zeke Knipps Pat & Sumner Kraft & Family Jan & Gil Krische Wendy Larson Robert & Judith Layton Brendan Lee Stephen and Annie Leibinger Paul & Marcitta Lerch Geoffrey Lester Denison Levy Roberta LewisVeenie Lilly & Paula CasperLee & Linda Loeschen Rick & Lindsay Lofaro Jennifer & Greg Long Bill & Barb Lorah Bob & Jane Lucas Sherry Lyke & Tom GrahamGeorge & Cornelia Madsen Brian Magee & Holly HentschelMarlene & Lloyd Manown Ann MartinMichele McClinton & Brad OsbornTim & Donna McFlynn Andrew McGregor Terrance & Lisa McGuire Paul & Sandra Menter Kari Meskin Kevin Meyers Bob Millette & Margaret PedersenJons & Barbara Milnor Dick & Barbara Moebius John & Caroline MooreShannon Murphy Richard Neiley & Maria ManiscalchiKirsten & Penn Newhard Virginia & Rick Newton Greg Noss Shari Nova & Tim MeyersScott Nykerk & Megan TalbottLiz O’ConnellMike and Tina Ogburn Warren Ohlrich Tom & Caitlin Oken Rosa O’Leary Chris Olsen & Mike PapulaJack & Doris O’Neill Thomas & Bernadette Ossola Connie Overton & James GilhamSarah Pagni Ginny ParkerDonald & Angela Parkison Bruce Parlette Jim Paussa Bruce Pearson & Donna PhelpsLucas PeckMegan Perkins Allan Porter Paul Pristas & Jean GuyMike and Laura Pritchard

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Pretty . . . Invasive!


Left to right: Oxeye daisy, yellow toadfl ax and Dalmatian toadfl ax (Illustrations by Mary Vaux Walcott, circa 1920, with permission from Michael Moore)

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Program & Project SponsorsColorado State Trails Program National Forest Foundation Ski Conservation Fund USDI Bureau of Land Management Aspen Skiing Company Environment FoundationPitkin CountyCity of AspenUSDA Forest ServiceCity of Glenwood SpringsRusty and Ann Crossland Advised Fund at Aspen Community FoundationHogback HustleMcKee Family FoundationTamarisk CoalitionTown of BasaltGarfi eld CountyWells Fargo BankWhite House PizzaTown of CarbondaleEagle CountyTown of New CastleRed Hill Council Clark’s MarketPatagoniaWells Fargo Home MortgageLord Family Advised Fund at Aspen Community Foundation Cindy Allen & EnCana Cares FoundationWeiner Family FoundationFactory and Army SurplusBlueGreen

SPECIAL CONTRIBUTORSusan Cross, Aspen Skiing Co. Environment Foundation

2008 Organization & Business MembersBoogie’s Diner FoundationCamp EcologyCarl’s PharmacyCarbondale Insurance ServiceCarol Dopkin Real EstateCrystal River SpasDodson Engineered ProductsExciting Windows/Valley Décor Jean Robert’s GymJuicy Lucy’s SteakhouseMountain Chalet-Aspen Noble Design StudioR.C. Robertson ArchitectsRed House ArchitectureRed Rock DinerRifl e Lock & SafeRoaring Forge Roaring Fork ConservancyRussetsSaxy’s CaféSun Dog AthleticsSummit Canyon Mountaineering TJ Irrigation and LandformsUte MountaineeringVal’s GourmetVillage SmithyWhite House PizzaWoody Creek Tavern

In-Kind ContributorsAjax Bike & Sports, CarbondaleAspen TimesAspen Skiing CompanyBasalt Mini Storage Basalt Printing Bistro Basalt Boogie’s DinerCafé Bernard

Chaffi n Light Real EstateCity Market, El JebelCommunity Banks of Colorado – Aspen, Basalt & Glenwood SpringsDos Gringos BurritosDown Valley Septic & DrainElla RestaurantEpicurious Glenwood Canyon Brewing CompanyGranna BreadIndependence Run & Hike Jamin Heady-SmithJimbo LiquorsBruce KimeJons & Barabara MilnorJour de FeteJuicy Lucy’s Steak HouseLittle Nell HotelLouis Swiss PastriesMain Street BakeryMelinda NessNoble Design StudiosOtakParadise Bakery – AspenRed Rock Diner SIX89 Restaurant SmokeSopris SurfersSu CasaSummit Canyon MountaineeringTempranillo Restaurant Therapeutic MotionsTwo Leaves and a Bud Upper Crust Bakery Ute City Cycles Val’s GourmetWhite House Pizza

town to town tour Cash sponsorsAlpine BankWillitsAspen Construction GroupAspen / Sothebys Land & HomeAspen TimesKSPNNewland Project ResourcesPitkin County Open Space & TrailsSopris Nordic Council Aspen Earthmoving

In-Kind DonorsAspen Parks Department Th e Roaring Fork ClubPeak Tent & Party RentalsLouis Swiss PastriesDown Valley SepticOtak, Inc.Mark & Linda Schuemaker10th Mountain Huts

Prizes & Goody BagsAspen Art MuseumAspen Cross Country CenterApen Skiing Co.Aspen SportsBackbone MediaBristlecone SportsKahtoolaTown of Snowmass VillageUte MountaineerWaterworks

m a n y T h a n k s t o o u r C o n t r i b u t o r s !

ROARING FORKO U T D O O R V O L U N T E E R S


The trail essentially disappears. We’ve heard from a surprising number of folks who have lost their way here with serious repercussions, wandering 14 hours looking

for civilization, or being forced to spend the night as darkness fell. RFOV’s 2008 Arbaney-Kittle Trail Project on Saturday, September 13 will mimic the distribution of the trail’s two sets of users. Th e majority of crews will perform maintenance on the fi rst two miles of the trail from the Basalt trailhead—improving drainage, trimming back vegetation, and increasing the sustainablity of this old ranch road. For the more distant work on a half-mile stretch beneath the 10,500-foot Sloanes Peak, we’ll send a crew or two of cyclists about fi ve miles in. Th ese crews will build cairns, rearrange

rock, and build tread to delineate the route. Th e volunteers on the close-in sections will clean drainage structures, and install some dip drainage structures required after the fi rst 1.5 miles. Project partners and sponsors for the project include the U.S. Forest Service, Pitkin County Open Space & Trails, Bristlecone Mountain Sports, Aspen Skiing Company Environment Foundation, the Colorado State Trails Program, and the National Forest Foundation Ski Conservation Fund. So we hope that all of you who love and use the Arbaney-Kittle Trail — and those of you who just might like to check it out — will come out and volunteer for the September project. It looks to be a great day on one of our favorite trails!

David Hamilton

continued from page 1

arbaney-kittle . . .

Thoughts on being a f i rst -t ime volunteer

Michelle McClinton fi rst began volunteering on trail projects with a youth crew

at the age of 15 in Colorado Springs. Th e crew camped while building rock walls and rconstructing trails around Bailey. Th ese experiences led to her life-long love of trails and her understanding of what it takes to maintain them. In 1995, Michelle moved to Aspen’s Hunter Creek neighborhood, near the base of the Hunter Creek Trail—the location of her fi rst project with RFOV. “City and County taxes don’t cover all the expenses of maintaining trails, and with Forest Service funding being cut, volunteering is a great way to contribute.” Michelle comments. “Everyone who loves to hike should pitch in a little.” You can often fi nd Michelle hiking or biking around local trails. She hasn’t missed an RFOV season since 1995; in fact, when I called her for this interview, she was just picking up the phone to volunteer for the July 26th project.

Roughly 50% of volunteers who give their free time to trail projects are fi rst-timers. So what

does a fi rst-timer need to know? First, volunteering is made easy with RFOV (after all, it’s part of our name). Second, if you’re just moving to the area, it’s a great way to participate and enjoy our natural splendor, plus get your hands dirty.

What to bring with you: • A comfortable pair of gardening or

work gloves. • Light snacks to keep you going.• Lunch in a temperature-controlled

container (a light breakfast is provided at morning registration).

• 30 spf or higher sunscreen to wear all day.

• Water — at least two 32-oz. containers

• Rain gear — you never know with Colorado weather!

• A hat to keep the sun off your face. If you’re a fi rst-time volunteer and can’t commit to the entire day, no prob-

lem! Come for the morning or afternoon. Each trail project day ends in a group dinner and ice-cold beer. Your physical ability and experience are less important than your enthusiasm — jobs range from using a pick or rock bar, to trimming back vegetation, to kitchen crew. Your Crew Leader will help you choose the right job.

A new carpool program is being coordiated through RFOV—call Melissa at the offi ce (927-8241) two days before the project and put your name, location and contact info on the list. She’ll let you know if someone’s going your way on project day. RFOV always has open arms for new volunteers, so sign up now for your fi rst project—and bring someone new along with you!

Kathleen Wanatowicz

more RFOV members

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Irma ProdingerBeverly Provine Missy Prudden & Sarah KuhnJohn & Emelie PutnamJoseph & Erin Radosevich Barbara Reid & David HymanRachel Richards Mike Riessen Kenneth Riley Dwayne & Margaret Romero Robert & Berry Roper Polly Ross Kathleen Rude Floyd & Karen Russak George Ryerson Marius & Clare Sanger Michael Sawyer Michael Scanlon Cathy & Mike Schermer Susan Schimmenti Judith J. Schramm David & Virginia Schroeder Amy Schuff Jeffrey & Marilyn Seltzer William Sens Stanley & Kandi Shaffran Bill & Susan Shirley Pat & Charles Simpson Robert & Kristine Sinko Larry Slater Michael Smith Nancy Smith John & Stephanie Sommers Dave & Connie Spence Sandy & Steve Stay Jeff Steck & Nancy Sheffi eldBruce Stolbach Ned SullivanHjalmar Sundin Shelley Supplee & Hawk GreenwayNicole & Lex Tarumianz Karin & Harry Teague Jenny & George Tempest Gerry Terwilliger & Anna NaeserTory Thomas Cindy Thompson Tod TibbettsJoanne & Peter Tibma Michael Toth Kristine Tracz & Laurie SpakanikRuth Trowbridge Bruce Upton & Sara BouletLindsey Utter Stephnen Van DykeDonna Van HoyCraig Van OrdenGerry & Marja Vanderbeek David Vtipil Peter Waanders Robert & June Walker Steve Warden Mary Watson Scott Weagraff Doug & Lynda Weiser Sylvia Wendrow & JD SturgillPatricia Wheeler Walter White Judith Whitmore Hans Widmer Jack & Bonnie Wilke Susan & Perry Will Pierre & Beth Wille Jeff & Gay Wisch Dottie Wolcott George & Edith Wombwell Fred WoodenJo Ann Yacko

Printed on recycled paper

Th ght b i g ff i t t i l t


—Michelle McClinton (with Alli, above, on

Quandary Peak)

the long and short of the arbaney-kittle -...

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