[at-l] My Mem Day Weekend...

[pmags at yahoo.com (Paul Magnanti)]

My Memorial Day Weekend  was some long overdue trail
work on my part. After all the hiking I've been lucky
enough to do over the past few years, feel it is time
to put in some "sweat equity" and give back a little.

I went to the Spanish Peaks down in southern Colorado
not too far from the New Mexico state line. 
These peaks where called "Watahoya" by the local
Natives which roughly translates into "The Breasts of
the Earth". These two peaks (called East and West
Spanish Peaks nowadays..not quite as poetic...)
are not too far from the Sangre de Cristos, but see
far less use. Part of the reason is the
isolation....part of the reason is that the trails to
the peaks are in need of some tender loving care. 

In any case, the outfit I worked with was the VOC
(Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado).  I must say, I was
very impressed with the group. Very well organized and
did they ever take care of the volunteer crews. Plenty
of food for breakfasts, lunches and dinners (and all
good food! We had jambalya for dinner one
night..mmmm).  The day started at 5:30 AM with a wake
up call and we were on the trail by 6:30 AM. Now,
doing this work put some things in perspective for a
former thru-hiker. The hike was long one in,  the
volunteer co-ordinators warned us....3.5 miles! :-)  
In all fairness though, it was  a steep hike..and how
many of us hiked the trails carrying Pulaskis, rock
bars, pick axes..etc.  Special kudos went to the
horsepackers who carried in the heavy equipment (and
several 5 gallon water caches !!!) the day before to
the high point of the trail where we were working (a
good 2 miles in). 

The day was a bit overcast, but still very nice views.
We arrived at our worksite and the crew of six (five
volunteers and a crew leader) all got down to work. We
quickly divided up into two sub-groups. One for trail
grooming and one for stone work. Being young (and a
bit stupid probably :D) I helped out with the stone
moving. The main focus of our 100 foot section was
putting in rock steps. Egads! I am never again going
to walk by rock steps without thinking about all the
work put into it. I became well used to rock bars and
pick axes. Moving all those rocks (and placing larger
ones for steps) used some upper body strength I
normally don't use. But, after a day of this work,
could really see the progress.  At 3:30 we gathered up
our tools for the next day and hiked down.  Then the
hail and lightning came!!! Could see the lightning
bolts hit the ridge MAYBE 1/2 a mile away. Good thing
we were below tree line. I am not going to be
macho..it was a bit hairy at times! But the storms
passed in typical Colorado fashion and we made it down
to basecamp...where it rained all night!  No
matter..some hot food and good company (and a dry tent
that I use for car camping) made everything all right.
Add a couple of  beers and everything was really good.
(the VOC bought two kegs of "Fat Tire" ,a CO
microbrew, for the volunteers..toldya they were a good
outfit! :D)

The second day was VERY overcast...and we could hear
distant thunder all day. Luckily, it did not rain on
us. To make a long day short we moved more rocks,
groomed and finished our section of trail and it
looked pretty darn good. We finished our section early
enough where we helped out other sections. Again,
being young and stupid, helped haul fill 300 yards UP
the trail to another section. As usual, whenever I
carry anything heavy over a long distance (and fill is
damn heavy!) I become religious. :-) (Sr. Helen would
not be happy with me..ahem).  Hiking back to camp,
could see the progress the other crews made. From an
overgrown, almost non-existent trail to something that
is hikeable and rideable (horsies, you see.).  It
again downpoured last night. But as before, some good
food (and this time a little cocoa and Bailey's...)
and all was right with the world. I also went to bed
at 8PM and did not wake up until 7am this morning!

This morning, some of stuck around camp to help break
it down and pack up the tool truck. This last day was
bright and sunny.  After doing this last bit of work,
the two people I rode up from Boulder with and I took
another way out and rode to the top of the pass. We
walked a 1/2 mile in to a 180 degree panoramic view.
Wow! Could see the snow covered W. Spanish Peak (which
tops out at 13650 ft) and the not-so-distant Sangre de
Cristos. Awesome! 

All in all a good, if hardworking, weekend. Plan on
doing another trail work project on the CDT at
Berthoud Pass next month.  I was always appreciative
of trail crews. After doing it for long weekend, I
will really be thankful!

Mags

ps. Some pics of this weekend can be seen at:
http://gallery.backcountry.net/tw03



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The true harvest of my life is intangible.... a little stardust caught, a portion of the rainbow I have clutched
--Thoreau

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