homepage - outings - national - brochure - 12327a

The Project

This is a front-country (car camping) project. We will be working in partnership with the Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers (rfov.org), Pitkin County Open Trails & Spaces, City of Aspen Parks & Trails, and Town of Snowmass Village Trails to begin creating trails to promote public access to the newly acquired Droste Mountain Park Open Space, one the most significant open space purchases in the history of the Aspen area. Trail work can involve digging, moving rocks, grading, cutting back brush, and hand-pulling invasive species (for all you gardeners) -- FUN! Our work will last decades -- it will be something you can show your grandchildren in years to come.

Itinerary

Participants will gather at 1 p.m. on Sunday, September 9th, with our first group meal being Sunday dinner. Monday and Tuesday will be work days. Wednesday will be a free day to explore the mountains, the Roaring Fork Valley and/or Aspen. Thursday and Friday will be work days. On Saturday, September 15th, we will break camp after breakfast.

The 845-acre Droste parcel, which sits between the towns of Aspen and Snowmass, was purchased last year for $17 million in a partnership between Pitkin County, the City of Aspen, the Town of Snowmass Village, the Aspen Valley Land Trust and Great Outdoors Colorado. A management committee is working on a naming procedure (probably a contest), as well as a long-term land management plan. You will have a day off mid-week to explore the area -- you might want to check out the trails previous Sierra Club Service Trip participants fixed at Maroon Bells just above Aspen.

Getting There

Participants are responsible for getting themselves to and from our Aspen meeting place. Specific directions will be sent once your trip application has been accepted. Aspen has an airport, but the drive from Denver is also beautiful. We make every effort to help participants arrange carpools to keep rental cars to a minimum.

Accommodations and Food

We will be camping on the Snowmass Ski Mountain, which has absolutely beautiful views. We will have flush toilets, and access to public showers on our day off. All meals and snacks are provided, starting with supper on Sunday, and ending with bag lunches on Saturday when we break camp. Come with the attitude that food is part of the adventure. Our meals will both satisfy appetite and be a relaxing social gathering after a day's work or play in the wilderness. The menu will be healthy, nutritious, high-energy front-country cuisine. Meals will be vegetarian, with some opportunities for meat during the week. Meals often include dairy products. We will have a group commissary with everyone taking turns in meal preparation and clean-up. Before applying for the trip, folks with food allergies, dietary restrictions and/or strong preferences must contact the leader and cook to see if reasonable accommodations would be possible within the limits of our cuisine. We will be in bear country, so we will practice backcountry food containment. Bears tend to shy away from humans -- especially when we are in groups. We have access to a cabin for food storage and preparation.

Trip Difficulty

All participants work at their own pace -- service trips are designed to be fun as well as useful! We will be creating new trails at more than 9,000 feet elevation, which will involve digging, moving rocks, etc. We heartily recommend that you begin conditioning months before the trip, and consider getting into high country a few days before we begin work. Conditioning suggestions will be sent as soon as your medical questionnaires have been reviewed and you are accepted on the trip.

Equipment and Clothing

Daytime temperatures in the Upper Roaring Fork Valley can be in the 70s, with nighttime dipping to around 40. Dressing in layers is a must in the mountains. What's essential on work days: long-sleeved shirts; long pants; over-the-ankle, sturdy, waterproof hiking boots; a sun hat, a rain-proof (not resistant) jacket and pants; and leather work gloves. Work tools will be provided by the host agency. Participants bring a tent, ground cover, sleeping bag & pad. Each participant will need a Tupperware-type container with lid, cup, eating utensils, two water bottles, and a day pack to bring lunch, water, rain gear, etc. to the work project. A detailed equipment list will be sent once you are accepted on the trip.

Conservation

We will practice Leave No Trace procedures. We also will recycle, reduce waste, and work to leave our campsite in an even more pristine state than we found it. The Sierra Club is an environmentally focused entity. We are concerned about conservation and sustainability of resources, both locally and globally. Our work is accomplished by volunteers and aided by a salaried staff and encourages grassroots involvements. Our outings seek to empower participants toward greater understanding, advocacy, and participation in the goals of the Club.

Trip Price

See the How to Apply for an Outing section for more details on registering for this trip and details about our Reservation and Cancellation Policy.

The payment of a deposit does not confirm you as a member on the trip. Participants must be approved by the trip leader. After signing up for this trip, you will be sent a confirmation packet containing approval materials (Participant Approval Questionnaire, Medical Form, Liability Release Form). Each applicant (including those on the waitlist) must fill out these forms and promptly mail them to the trip leader. The leader will review the approval materials and notify you of your acceptance in a timely manner.

Staff

Leader:

Luanne Nyberg is an avid organic gardener and a lover of grandchildren, travel, and the outdoors -- especially the Rockies. Recently retired from public service, this native Minnesotan has led or cooked a number of Sierra Club Service trips.

E-mail: lulu4050@gmail.com

Cook:

Arlene Jamar has been the cook for several Sierra Club service trips in the western U.S. and Canada. She carefully plans meals that are tasty as well as nutritionally balanced. Arlene also enjoys the satisfaction of accomplishing hard work in beautiful wilderness setting along with the fellowship of others with similar interests. Arlene began her involvement with nature as a Girl Scout and enjoys many outdoor activities. When not involved with outdoor activities, she enjoys playing music and dancing.

E-mail: toad@foothill.net

---

General Notes About Sierra Club Trips

• Carbon Offsets
• Carpooling
• Electronic Devices
• Equipment
• How to Apply for a Trip
• Leader Gratuities
• Liability Release and Assumption of Risk
• Medical Issues
• Non-discrimination Statement
• Participant Approval
• Reservation and Cancellation Policy
• Seller of Travel Disclosure
• Travel Insurance
• Trip Feedback
• Wilderness Manners