Do you use trails in our spectacular valley? If you hike, bike, or run any of our local trails, we hope you’ll

join us in a great new way to support the trail restoration, construction and maintenance projects that our volunteers help complete every year on trails in the Roaring Fork, Frying Pan, Crystal River and Colorado River valleys from Aspen to Rifle!

Climb For Trails (CFT) is RFOV’s new stewardship, wellness and fundraising campaign designed to raise awareness and funds for projects on our acclaimed trails systems and public lands. Our fun, interactive website ClimbForTrails.org makes it easy to sign up and start tracking your climbs. You can engage your friends, family and co-workers and make them part of the fun of exercising along with you and/or supporting your climbs. Help spread the word about RFOV’s mission and invite sponsors to pledge for each climb you make.

The Hunter Creek Valley and Smuggler Mountain are often referred to as ‘Aspen’s Backyard’

and over the past two years a major planning effort to protect, restore, and improve the area has taken place. Led by For the Forest, now a part of Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (ACES), the US Forest Service, Pitkin County, and the City of Aspen—an unprecedented number of stakeholders came together to create a plan to both protect the forest and improve the trail user experience. The plan includes four major improvement goals: recreational trails, forest health and wildlife habitat, Smuggler Mountain Road, and outdoor education.

The trails of Hunter Valley and Smuggler have been expanded over the years, often without Forest Service permission; this plan calls for signage

and maps, trail repairs and realignments, creation of new beginner trails, and the closure of repetitive trails. David Hamilton, RFOV Executive Director and part of the plan’s focus group, was impressed by the cooperation of all stakeholders to both improve access while protecting and revegetating fragile areas. Hamilton noted, “This was a deliberate process for wildlife habitat improvement, forest health, and trails.”

Also critical to the trail system is signage and education. The goal is to both educate users about closures and the detrimental effects users have on revegetated areas and to promote outdoor education. An additional objective is to promote the area as an outdoor classroom with a ‘Heritage Trail’ that allows people to learn about

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A new plan for Hunter Creek/Smuggler

www.rfov.org

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 • S u m m e r 2 0 1 3

Climb for Trails!

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Meet Ryan Vugteveen 2

More 2013 projects 3

Youth program update 4

2013 project gallery 6, 7

RFOV staff update 8

Newbie volunteer Brenna Owen 9

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I have always had a deep connection with the landscape. My formative years in rural Virginia were spent exploring

the woods and ravines behind my home. Constructing dams, building forts and undertaking other creative interventions, my imagination grew. Years later, my family moved to suburban Michigan, where new development quickly supplanted the natural and agrarian landscapes.

These developmental pressures, combined with my passion to create and a deep connection to the land brought me to the field of landscape architecture. I feel so lucky to be living, recreating and mastering my craft in the Roaring Fork Valley. The profession requires a creative mind with a community and environmental conscience, and it is ultimately what led me to join Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers.

When I arrived in the Valley, I was looking for a way to meet people, delve into the community ethos and familiarize myself with our local trails. RFOV was—and remains—a great venue for connecting with people truly invested in their community.

After a hard day’s work on the trail, everyone is invited to share great local food and cold beverages—a relaxing balance to the rigors of trail work.

After a couple years of trail work, I joined the RFOV’s Projects Selections Committee, which collaborates with local agencies and organizations throughout

the region to determine RFOV projects for the upcoming year. Committee volunteers scout, prioritize and select projects with the largest community impact. For the last two years, I have had the honor of serving as chair and sharing in our accomplishments. I am humbled and inspired by the dedicated group of individuals on this board and the vast network of volunteers within RFOV.

As a landscape architect, staying creative and fresh can be challenging. Hiking through our unique local

landscapes and reconnecting with nature recharges my imagination. Often this escape provides an outlet for thoroughly exploring a complex design problem. I owe much of my professional growth to these trails and the Aspen Idea of nurturing mind, body and spirit. RFOV is a way for me to express my appreciation.

I begin my tenure on the RFOV Board of Directors ready to carry out our mission with vision and thoughtfulness. Working with the leaders of our community, I look forward to engaging with our generous volunteers to improve the health of our trails, natural open spaces and community. So get out there and volunteer with RFOV for yourself and your community.

Happy trails!—Ryan Vugteveen

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

Toll free 1-877-662-5220e-mail: rfov@sopris.net • www.rfov.org

Board of DirectorsAmy Barrow • Scott Gordon, Vice-Chair

Jamin Heady-Smith, Chair Todd Richmond, Treasurer

Ryan Vugteveen, Secretary • Aubrey Wolfe Suzanne Wolff • Eileen Wysocki

Committees

Crew Leader DevelopmentJamin Heady-Smith, Chair

Michael Hutton • Gail Mason

Marketing & PublicationsJeff Alden • Shaine EbrahimiChris Kelly • Will Kernahan

Linda Schuemaker

Project SelectionHelen Carlsen • Clay ColverCharlie Eckart • Randy Gold

Scott Gordon • George TrantowRyan Vugteveen, Chair • John Wilkinson

ToolsMichael Hutton • Mark Schuemaker, Chair

Climb for TrailsAmy Barrow • Jessica Budinger Shaine Ebrahimi • Randy Gold

Helene Gude • Chris KellyWill Kernahan • Suzanne Wolff

Volunteer DevelopmentClark Addington, Chair • Susan Cross

Julia Larson • Jason Pooler Eileen Wysocki

YouthCarla Comey • Suzy Ellison

Suzanne Fitzgerald • Daryl FullerNannette Weinhold

Youth Advisory CouncilEmily Adams •Margarita AlvarezCora Lubchenco • Jenna Pierce

Aubrey Wolfe

StaffDavid Hamilton, Executive Director

Mary Sundblom, Marketing, Program & Administrative Coordinator

Carl Nelson, Field CoordinatorJared McDaniel, Youth Coordinator

John Perkins, Youth Assistant

Our MissionTo promote stewardship of our public lands by engaging the

community in volunteer trail and restoration projects

2 We do trails— together!

RFOV welcomes our newest Board Member

Ryan Vugteveen

14er Project on Maroon Bells Aspen/Snowmass Village September 6 -8Team up with the Colorado 14ers Initiative for one of two long weekends to improve the route up to the Maroon Bells.

John Denver Wetland Planting * Aspen • August 3Help expand the John Denver Wetlands to create important wildlife habitat and to filter street runoff water before it reaches the Roaring Fork River. Fun for the whole family!

Midland Park Trails * Basalt • August 24Be part of the creation of a new community park! Basalt has big plans for kid-friendly features in this new park nestled between the Roaring Fork River and Basalt Library. Our plans for constructing the trail system for the park will be kid-friendly, too!

Rim Trail Snowmass Village • September 7Help us to reroute a steep section of this popular trail that has become rutted with years of use. We’ll build a more sustainable trail and restore the closed section of the old trail.

Mitchell Creek Trail West Glenwood Springs • September 28RFOV will work to improve and rebuild sections on the first two miles of this scenic Glenwood Springs trail that have fallen into disrepair.

Glenwood Canyon Tamarisk Removal Glenwood Canyon • October 19RFOV and our project partners will continue our efforts to eradicate the invasive Tamarisk and Russian Olive in our area. This year’s project will focus on several areas throughout scenic Glenwood Canyon.

*Family-friendly project

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Hail and farewell, Paul Boyer

Energy, enthusiasm, dedication, passion: those were the driving forces behind this man who threw himself into everything he did and found

it hard to sit still if he saw something that needed to be done. In his role as an RFOV Crew Leader, Paul taught uncounted volunteers how to build trails through all kinds of terrain, as well as how to plant native trees and shrubs for restoration projects.

Paul’s sudden passing this spring leaves a void that can’t be filled. We are thankful for the time we had with him, and grateful to Paul and his wonderful wife, Nancy, for their many contributions to the success of RFOV.

Thank you, RFOV Members and Supporters!

Trail Blazers $5,000 & AboveAlpine BankAnonymousAnschutz Family FoundationCity of AspenAspen Parks DepartmentAspen Skiing Company Environment

FoundationBureau of Land ManagementColorado River DistrictColorado State Trails ProgramCity of Glenwood SpringsJons & Barbara Milnor National Forest Foundation-Ski Area

Conservation FundPitkin CountyPitkin County Open Space & TrailsThrift Shop of AspenUSDA Forest Service

Explorers $2,500-$4,999AnonymousCliff Bar Family FoundationRCG Fund, a Donor-Advised Fund of the

Rose Community FoundationEl Pomar FoundationGarfield CountyNorth Face Explore FundRobert Pew FoundationValley View Hospital

Outdoor Stewards $1,000-$2,499Harry & Karen Andrews AnonymousAspen Cycling ClubTown of BasaltDavid Bonderman & Laurie Michaels Bill & Jessica Budinger John & Laurel Catto Colorado Mountain ClubMatt & Karen Fairbairn Jim & Karen Frank Jamin Heady-Smith Henry & Angela Hite Pat & Barb McMahon Tom & Clarisa McMahon Lynn Nichols & Jim Gilchrist Family

Advised Fund at the Aspen Community Foundation

National Environmental Eductaion Foundation

The Outdoor FoundationRob Pew Roaring Fork Transportation Authority–Rio

Grande TrailRed Hill CouncilRowland & Broughton Architecture &

Urban DesignRossmore EnterprisesSmartwool/TimberlandSpring Board Advised Fund at Aspen

Community FoundationRobert & Gillian Steel Billy Stolz Summit Canyon Mountaineering/

PatagoniaSummit ConstructionTimbers ResortsUmbrella Roofing, Inc.Wells Fargo Bank

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We do trails— together!

Happy one-year anniversary to RFOV’s Young Stewards Initiative! As we begin our second project season, we

want to thank the community—YOU!— for your enthusiastic response to our efforts to create fun and meaningful stewardship opportunities for local youth. Here are a few recent highlights:

This spring, RFOV engaged 630 youth on stewardship projects on our public lands. Youth volunteers, from first graders to high school students, tackled projects up and down the valley. Basalt Elementary School third graders weeded small trees at Arbaney Park, Glenwood Middle School 8th graders moved tons of rock on Red Mountain/Jeanne Golay, and Aspen Elementary and Middle School students put a dent in the thistle population in the Moore Open Space. This summer, Access Roaring Fork, the Buddy Program, Aspen Youth Center, Aspen T.R.E.E., AVSC, and other youth groups will join RFOV out on the trail. Over all, we expect to work with 1,000-1,500 youth in 2013!

RFOV’s Youth Outdoor Summit, sponsored by Outdoor Nation, was a huge success! In early May, thirty-one local Millenials (16-28 year-olds) convened at Glenwood Springs High School for a day to discuss the most pressing barriers keeping youth inside. We spent the morning enjoying Glenwood’s many outdoor activities, including a service project at the community garden, yoga in Two Rivers Park, slack-lining, and utilizing the bike paths. The afternoon brought productive discussions and solutions for engaging more young people in the outdoors, such as outdoor and gardening clubs at high schools. Thank you to Outdoor Nation, the Yoga Space, Glenwood Community Garden, Moe’s, and GSHS for your support!

“To me, environmental stewardship means not only protecting and maintaining the environment, but also educating others on the importance of the environment. This program has done exactly that for me, and I hope to carry on educating others.”

—Kyle Bruna, 2012-13 participant

A year of success (and great fun!)

Young Stewards

www.rfov.org 5

More Outdoor Stewards

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Peter & Anne Wood Eileen, Glenn & Sage Wysocki

Benefactors $500-$999 ANB BankBank of ColoradoNorman & Vivian Belmonte Berthod MotorsCarbondale Rotary Club Isa Catto & Daniel Shaw Advised Fund at

the Aspen Community FoundationDavid Corbin Community Office for Resource Efficiency

(CORE)Muffy & Andy DiSabatino Sara Dodd-Spickelmier & Keith

Spickelmier Laura Donnelley Beth Fergus Bruce & Barbara Fretz Bill & Marilyn Getz Glenwood Hot SpringsGlenwood Rotary Club, NoonScott & Dawn Gordon Holy Cross Energy Round-up FoundationBob & Soledad Hurst Independence Run and Hike, LLCBruce LeeWilliam & Denise Monteleone R. A. Nelson, LLCReese Henry & Co., Inc. Anne Rickenbaugh Bob & Karen Ritter The Rock FoundationAndrew & Cynthia Russell Sopris Engineering, LLCSuzanne Stewart & David Winsor Charles Tate Ute MountaineerWells Fargo Home MortgageRandy Work & Mandy Gray

Patrons $250- $499Aloha Mountain CycleryPriska & Ed Berkheimer Cripple Creek BackcountryLoyal & Bernice Durand Jerry & Nanette Finger FirstBankFrias Properties Louise & Bob Fryklund Harriet Garth & Jay CowanDean & Marilyn Greenberg Peter & Barbara Guy Carol & Michael Hundert Reenie Kinney & Scott Hicks Jim & Linda Landers Michael Lipkin & Jody Guralnick Wendy & William KortepeterFred & Susan Lodge Peter Looram & Owen McHaney Fred & Marlene Malek Tom & Lindy Melberg Jim Neu & Tory Heinrich Arches Advised Fund at the Aspen

Community FoundationMarcia & Phil Rothblum Foundation

Advised Fund at the Aspen Community Foundation

John & Nancy Schneider Linda & Mark Schuemaker Shaboomee AdventuresSmoky Anderson, Inc. Sharon & Garry Snook

“I will always remember learning knots, playing games, and trail terminology, but perhaps the longest lasting memory will be learning how much fun it is to go out into the outdoors and bring a group of people to experience it with you.”

—Paul Roman, 2012-13 participant

In June, RFOV’s year-long high school program, the Stewardship and Outdoor Leadership Experience (SOLE) concluded its first year with an incredibly fun and productive backpacking trip. Five participants, co-leader John Perkins, and Hannah hauled a week’s worth of food, tools, and camping gear in to the Avalanche Creek Valley. They honed their camping skills, completed two and half days of trail work, post-holed up to Avalanche Lake, and contemplated the stars from Duley Park. We commend these participants for all they have accomplished this year, including becoming RFOV Crew Leaders, receiving Wilderness First Aid certifications, and completing nearly 1,000 hours of service! Check out rfov.org for information about the 2013-14 SOLE program, and if you know an interested high school student, encourage them to APPLY NOW to join this dynamic outdoor leadership program!

We welcome our new RFOV Youth Coordinator, Jared McDaniel! Jared joins RFOV with years

of outdoor education experience and a Masters of Science in Education, with a major in Outdoor Recreation, from Southern Illinois University. He loves dinosaurs, cowbells, muesli, and McLeods. Be sure to give Jared a big welcome to our valley as he takes the reins of the Young Stewards Initiative!

“I consider this year with RFOV to be a highlight of Zachary’s homeschooling year. The strength and commitment to values modeled by [the leaders] throughout the program have provided a truly enriched experience that will make a lasting impression on him.”

—Linda Drobinkse-Baker, parent of 2012-13 participant

We do trails— together!6

Curt Strand Mark TacheThe Gant Ron & Donna Thompson Tom & Roz TurnbullTrout UnlimitedTwo Rivers TrailsKatie & Hank Van Schaack Nancy Wilson Suzanne Wolff & Gary Tennenbaum

Sustaining Donors $100-$249Clark AddingtonAE Management Barbara Allen Alpine Property ManagementRon & Claudine Austin Linda & George Austin-Martin Paul & Carole Auvil Amy & Justin BarrowBalcomb & Green, P.C. Basalt Chamber of CommerceGeorge & Pat Benninghoff Tom & Sallie Bernard Marc Bernstein Verena Bishop Carter & Robin Bland Shelley & John Bogaert Nancy Boyer Susan Brady Albert & Marian Brown Bud & Ellen Burtis Alan & Carol Caniglia Carbondale Insurance ServiceDavis Horn Inc. Dick Carter Richard & Claudette Carter Laurie Chase Molly & Steve Child R. Barry Crook Nick & Ginny Dabney James D’Agostino Dalby, Wendland, & Co, P.C.Brian & Stephanie Davies Douglas & LynneDeNio Dodson Engineered ProductsThomas Dougherty Shaine Ebrahimi Jennifer & Simon Elliot David & Ingegard Fehr Greg & Kathy Feinsinger Theba & Buster Feldman Darlynn & Tom Fellman Robin Ferguson Kelly Jonathan Frankel Jane & Bill Frazer Mark Fuller & Penny Atzet David & Liza Fulton Eric & Margo Gardey Christopher & Mary Geiger Herbert & Diane Glimcher Randy Gold & Dawn Shepard David & Jean Goldstein Thomas Gougeon & Donna Middlebrooks Paul Gray & Shere Coleman Grand River Health Greg & Cath/ Gregg Adams PhotographySam Gregorio Helene Gude & Gregor Kolpus Grant & Jennifer Gustafson Mitch & Tara Haas Nick & Barbara Heineman Peter Helburn Sue & Bob Helm Kristen Henry

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More Patrons

Scout and Forest Hollow Trails Thursday evenings in MayOver 4 evenings, 71 volunteers cleaned and improved drainage, widened the trail through the steep shale section, and trimmed back vegetation.

Y our membership is important in two ways: your contribution enables us to help maintain and enhance

our trail system, and your contribution is a powerful demonstration of our community’s support for RFOV. Both show a commitment to the preservation of recreational opportunities on our public lands.

At RFOV, we believe all trail users have a responsibility to help maintain them. You can do that by volunteering and/or contributing to RFOV. Please use the enclosed envelope or contribute online at www.rfov.org. And if you’re already a member, thank you!

www.rfov.org 7

Kirk Hinderberger & Sacha Haas Curtis Holland Phil & Gail Holstein David Houggy Michael Hutton & P.J. Wallace Sandy Jackson John & Rusty Jaggers Ken & Deanna Janckila Ann Jeffrey Chuck & Bev Johnson Juicy Lucy’s SteakhouseRichard & Syliva Kaufman Albie Kern Dick & Marianne Kipper Cil & Richard Klamper Barbara Klein Toshe Knight Jon & Martha Lindenberg Sheldon & Marianne Lubar Brian & Holly Magee Howie Mallory Marty & Carolyn Manosevitz Tim & Donna McFlynn Andrew McGregor & Eileen Carly Beth & Kent Meager Beth & Josh Mondry Martha Moran & Jim Kirschvink Dot & Barney Mulligan Dave & Stephanie Munk Marjory Musgrave & Frank Peters Kerry & Ricki Newman Gail Nichols & William LaCouter Bette Oakes Kevin & Carole O’Brien Bob & Hillery Oddo Cavanaugh & Blanca O’Leary Douglas & Glenda Otten Robert B. Palmer Vinny Partyka James & Hensley Peterson Cyrene & Lee Pondrom Irma Prodinger John Quenther Nancy Reinisch & Paul Salmen Gregg & Marilee Rippy Roaring Fork Market PlaceSue Rodgers Elaine & Marvin Rosenberg Bob Rugile & Amy Maron Greg & Patti Rulon Sally & Craig Sakin Doug Sanders Michael Scanlon Keith & Cynthia Schapppert Suzanne Scheer & Chuck Brown Nancy & Gary Schultz Dr. James Setterberg DDS Patrick Seydel & Susan Cashel Barry & Nancy Shapiro Carole & Bob Sharp SK Peightal Engineers, LTD Abby Solomon & Susan Rothchild Jeff Steck & Nancy Sheffield Scott & Tamara Stuart Walter & Lettice Stuart David Swersky & Geni King Karin & Harry Teague Town of Carbondale TreadzMark Tye Ute MountaineerDenny & Linda Vaughn David & Barbara Vtipil Ryan VugteveenWhite House Pizza

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More Sustaining Donors

Cozy Line TrailTuesday evenings in June87 volunteers plus several staff from RFOV and Pitin County Open Space & Trails carved the first 2/3 mile of this new connection to the Skyline Ridge Trail from Cozy Point and Brush Creek Road from some very steep side hills.

Climb for Trails From trailhead kickoff parties to logging climbs with friends and family, this event adds a new element of fun and excitement to enjoying our valley’s trails!

We do trails— together!8

Never a dull moment at RFOV! Our team is growing. Here’s the latest news on personnel changes.

Our Thanks to Hannah Lippe, who joined the RFOV team as our first Youth Coordinator a little more than a year ago. She achieved impressive results, engaging over 1,400 youth in fun, meaningful stewardship and trail projects. She took the Young Stewards Initiative from concept to fully working program and established the Stewardship & Outdoor Leadership Experience (SOLE) and Youth Advisory Council, two key service-learning programs that will continue. Hannah is furthering her education in a graduate program at Stanford University.

Jared McDaniel joined RFOV as our new Youth Coordinator in mid-June (see page 5). Jared, pictured above with wife Mary, has devoted his life to outdoor and recreational projects and activities, earning a B.S. in Recreation Leadership and Management from Ferris State University, MI, and a Masters in Outdoor Recreation at Southern Illinois University. He has supervised volunteer trail-building with the Shawnee Volunteer Corps, worked as a Wilderness Ranger, and designed and taught a series of innovative outdoor recreation skill courses, as well as guiding backpacking trips. Jared relocated from Makanda, IL.

Mary Sundblom has been promoted to Marketing, Program, & Administrative Coordinator after nearly two

years of wearing many hats. She oversaw the redevelopment of the RFOV website and related installation of a supporter management database. She currently oversees our marketing and administrative efforts, and helps coordinate the activities of three volunteer committees. Her latest big project was development of the website and marketing for Climb For Trails. We are happy to recognize her hard work and many achievements with this promotion.

Carl Nelson brings 10 years of outdoor experience to his new role as seasonal Field Coordinator, having worked on outdoor projects in the mountain West. He served in supervisory capacities on projects for the U.S. Geological Survey, Colorado Division of Wildlife and the Forest Service, earned a B.A. in Anthropology from Western State College in Gunnison, and completed a CMC (Leadville) Outdoor Semester in the Rockies. An avid hiker and climber, Carl was born in the Boulder area, and relocated to the Valley from Durango.

Chris Kelly joined the team as our Administrative Assistant through the fall. She maintains the database and assists with marketing and communications, as well as other office

Tom & Claudia Wiley Dexter Williams Jeff & Gay Wisch Ed Wolkenmuth Jeff Wood

RFOV Supporters Alice Alexander Becky & Gary Anslyn Sean “Sal” Aurely Virginia Bair Gail Bartik Dina Belmonte Bruce & Holly Benson Janet Bertram Nell & Bill Birk T. Donald Birnkrant Clarence & Anne Blackwell Liz & John Bokram Jack & Marsha Brendlinger Mary Bright Valerie Britt-Kalberg Stuart Bronfman & Barb Lande Joe Brown Kit & Jim Bulkley Katey Buster Michael Buysse Maureen Callahan Ba Campbell Helen & Roger Carlsen Don & Kallie Carpenter Sandra & Glenn Carris Beth Cashdan & Paul D’Amato Susan & Scott Chism Lance Clarke & Susan Philp Jeannette Cohen Ellen & David Conry Annie Cooke Janet Coursey Susan Cross Crystal River SpasArt & Allison Daily Diane Darrough Barb & Doug D’Autrechy Peter & Cay Davis Jaclynn & Dean Derosier Chuck & Doris Downey Linda Drobinske- Baker & John & Zachary

Baker Janis Dybdahl Susan, John & Logan EatonElyse Elliott & Jeremy Bernstein Stephen, Jennifer, Chase & Spencer

Ellsperman Pamela Elsner Olivia Emery & Michael Hassig Ann English Lee Ann Eustis Davis & Cathie Farrar Alexander & Nona Feuer Marguerite Flett Howard & Marylee Foley Bruce Fox & Greer Litton Peter & Ruth Frey Bruce Gabow & Deborah Murphy Ann, Bill & Lacey Gaechter Sara Garton Judy Illeman Gaukel & Robert Gaukel Wolf & Nancy Gensch Linda Gerdenich Jon Gibans James Gilliam & Connie Overton Joe Glick Keven & John Goodwin

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More Sustaining Donors

New faces, new energy at RFOV

Staff Update

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www.rfov.org

More RFOV Supporters

Les Gray Doug & Peggy Graybeal Jordan Greengrass Allen & Jane Grossman Janine Gunning Steve Hach & Marty Ames Greg Hales & Elizabeth Marilley Jeffrey & Marti Hall Linda Halloran & Andrew Taylor Jim Halterman & Rosemary Burkholder David Hamilton Georgia & Andrew Hanson Dick & Jane Hart Karen Heady & Rod Smith Jeremy Heiman Casady Henry David Hiser John Honigsberg & Joan Crawford Berry Hurst Bill Inverso Suzanne Jackson Stephanie Janiga Alice & Steve Jennison Jim Jensen Ann & Henry Jesse Sean & Greg Jeung Janet Johnson Peter & Sandy Johnson Ralph & Meg Jones Jackie Kasabach Mark & Marianne Keating Ann Keller Mary Jo Kimbrough & Jim Harrison Carol & Peter King Bob & Zeke Knipps Julie Kolar Pat & Sumner Kraft Amy Krakow Patty Kravitz Jan & Gil Krische Victoria Langsam Wendy Larson Robert & Judith Layton Erika & Rob Leavitt Mike Leavy Brendan Lee Denison Levy Daylene & Gary Lichtenwalter Paul & Nancy Lippe Kristen & Matthew Loden Rick & Lindsay Lofaro Jennifer & Greg Long Bob & Jane Lucas Marlene & Lloyd Manown Michael & Julie Maple Lisa & Jack Marvin Gail, Travis & Keegan Mason Bruce & Melissa Matherly Joan Matranga Michele McClinton & Brad Osborn Jake & Sumjee McGavock Heather McGregor & Steve Smith Jim Morris Rick Neiley & Maria ManiscalchiMt. Daly Enterprises, LLC Phil & Carol Nemiec Collette Newell George & Liz Newman Tyler Newton Virginia & Rick Newton Caroline & Elliot Norquist Greg Noss Tom Oken & Janie Lowe Rosa O’Leary Jack & Doris O’Neill

Wonderful from the beginning, is how I would describe my experience with Roaring Fork

Outdoor Volunteers. I felt welcome the first time I met the group at their kick-off event at the Brewpub in Glenwood Springs, where I learned about all the different ways one can get involved with RFOV.

As a new person to the valley, I welcomed the opportunity to meet new people and get involved in activities that allow me to share my commitment to preserving and taking care of our natural environment.

Their volunteers and staff made it easy to sign up to volunteer. On my first project, I helped out as an Ambassador for the Scout Trail in Glenwood Springs. RFOV provided information beforehand that gave me a clear picture and an outline of what my duties were for the evening, and when I arrived, their executive director welcomed me and got me oriented, making the evening go very smoothly. I enjoyed providing leadership assistance and interacting with the volunteers. It was a pleasure to see familiar faces from the kick-off and meet new people from the community who have a common interest in preserving and our natural surroundings and providing recreation opportunities for current and future generations.

With such a positive initial experience, I signed up for another project. This time I helped out doing trail work to improve the Scout trail. RFOV crew leaders educated all of us about the tools and the work that needed to be done. I did not need any prior trail work experience and came away with the knowledge on how to build a sustainable trail for hikers and bikers.

I love spending time outside and RFOV has been a great avenue to interact, give back and meet people to share other

outdoor activities with. Volunteering with RFOV is a smooth process. I am able to pick events that work well with my schedule and get training while out working on the projects.

I believe it is important that we all give back to our community in ways that have long-term benefits on our public lands and RFOV has given me that opportunity here in the Roaring Fork Valley.

Impressions from a newbie volunteer

Brenna Owen

Brenna (above right) with fellow volunteer Suzy Ellison on the Scout Trail

duties. Chris has volunteered on the marketing and publications committee, participating in the development of a long range marketing plan and working on the Climb for Trail campaign, and contributes to the newsletter. In the winter she serves as coordinator of the Ambassador Program for the Aspen Skiing Company. She is also editor and production manager of a bi-monthly magazine, Working Horse, for the performance horse industry.

the natural resources and cultural history of the area.

City of Aspen Director of Parks and Open Space Stephen Ellsperman was particularly excited about the trail

efforts of the plan, saying, “Formerly the trails and forest had different management, different signage styles, and now this plan will vastly improve the user experience by creating consistency and continuation.”

One of the most striking parts of the plan was the coordinated effort by everyone that loves the Hunter-Smuggler area.

Mountain bikers made compromises for the trails they use while land preservation groups allowed for the development of carefully planned trails. Educational organizations were able to pursue their mission, and public safety officials voiced their needs for safe access.

Ellsperman said, “This is a new model for how constrained federal agencies will have to manage new public lands; they will have to use local partners to develop strategies that everyone will buy into.”

There are still parts of the plan that will require further study, such as formally adding or eliminating the Balcony Trail, but Ellsperman and Hamilton said about 95 percent of the plan was agreed on by all the players in the room.

RFOV will continue to have a valuable role as the plan is implemented and new trails are designed and built.

“To date,” Ellsperman said, “RFOV has had an important presence on Smuggler, and will play a significant role in creating a continuous, fluid trail system throughout the Hunter Valley and Smuggler.”

The next step is to go through the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process before the final plan is implemented.

More details can be found at hunter-smugglerplan.com.

—Jeff Alden

More RFOV Supporters

10 We do trails— together!

Tom & Julie Paxton Norman & Melinda Payson Bruce Pearson & Donna Phelps Jenny & Butch Peterson Louise M. Petosa Bill & Elizabeth Phillips Julie & Greg Pickrell Allan Porter Mike & Laura Pritchard Bob Purvis Ken & Emily Ransford Red Rock Diner Barbara Reid & David Hyman Rachel Richards Mike Riessen Ken Riley Roaring Forge Marcos & Sonya Rodriguez Richard & Pam Rosenfeld Jo Anne Rubinoff RussetsGreg Russi Michael Sawyer Brian & Rachel Schaefer Cathy & Mike Schermer Sue Schimmenti Judith J. Schramm Andre Schwegler & Sherry

Spykerman Steve & Judith Sewell Janny & John ShermanDave & Connie Spence Paul Squadrito Sandy & Steve Stay John & Karen Stevenson Barbara Stirling Ned Sullivan Hal Sundin Shelley Supplee & Hawk

Greenway Anne Teague Jenny & George Tempest Harry Temple III Gerald Terwilliger & Anna Naeser Tory & Victoria Thomas Cindy Thompson Larry & Mary Ann Thompson Lawrence & Victoria Treece Ruth & Tom Trowbridge Sue Van Horton Gerry & Marja VanderBeek Donna VanHoy Ben Vinton David & Jackie Wagner Dawn Waldrop Robert & Julie Walker Steve Warden Dick & Gayle Wells John Werning Patricia Wheeler Barney & Linda White Ed & Judy White Hans Widmer Andy Wiessner & Patsy Bacheldor Lee, Cindy, Kate & Tyler Wilson Jeffrey & Ellen Winter Fred Wooden Robert & Sarah Woods Jo Ann Yacko Darrel & Mary Ann Zwieg

Hunter Smuggler f r om page 1

In-Kind ContributorsABC Tree ServiceAloha Mountain CycleryAlpine BankAspen Alpine GudesAspen Skiing CompanyAspen TimesAmy & Justin BarrowBethel Party RentalBLT/Valley Girls CateringBasalt Chamber of CommerceBasalt Mini Storage Basalt Printing Boogie’s DinerCafé BernardHelen CarlsenDown Valley Septic & DrainFlorindo’sGlenwood Canyon BreweryGlenwood Caverns Adventure ParkGlenwood Climbing GuidesGrog ShopHotel JeromeIndependence Run & HikeInternational CateringJimbo’sJons & Barabara MilnorKSPNLittle Nell Louis Swiss PastriesMagtechMezza LunaMoe’s Southwest GrillOyova SoftwareJohn PerkinsThe PullmanREI – Grand JunctionSotheby’s International Realty – BasaltSmoke Modern BBQSubway – Glenwood Springs & BasaltSummit Canyon MountaineeringTC BakesTenth Mountain HutsTread’zTwo Leaves and a Bud Ute MountaineerVal’s GourmetWhite House PizzaWPC Graphic DesignThe Yoga Space

Group Work Days and Adopt-A-Trail Groups100 Club—Jeanne Golay TrailAccess RF Boost Camp—Storm King Trail &

Rifle ParksAccess RF SecondShift—White Hill Trail &

River Run ParkAspen Buddy Program—Difficult TrailAspen Community School—Tin Pot TrailAspen Cycling Club—Sunnyside &

Government TrailsAspen Elementary School—Moore Open

SpaceAspen Middle School—Ajax TrailAspen Skiing Company—Smuggler Loop TrailAspen Sports—Smuggler Loop TrailAspen Young Professional Association—

Tootsie Roll and TBS TrailAspen Youth Center—Ajax TrailAspen Valley Skiing Club—Sunnyside TrailsBasalt Bike & Ski Cycling Team—Arbaney-

Kittle TrailBasalt Elementary School—weed pulls at

Arbaney & Old Pond ParksBasalt Middle School—Ponderosa TrailBasalt High School—RFSD Outdoor

Education CenterBridges—RFSD Outdoor Education CenterCarbondale Community School—Red Hill &

Thomas Lakes TrailsColorado Backcountry Trail Riders Alliance—

Kobey Park TrailsColorado Mountain Club—Buckskin Pass

TrailsEagle Scouts—Mitchell Creek TrailGlenwood Springs Middle School—Jeanne

Golay/Red Mountain Trail

New Castle Cub Scouts—Burning Mountain Park

PALS Program, Youth Zone—Wulfsohn Open Space Trails

Roaring Fork Mountain Bike Association—Cozy Line & Arbaney-Kittle Trails

SGM Engineering—No Name TrailSpring Board—Ute TrailSnowmass Club—Highline TrailTwo Rivers Trails—Wulfsohn Open Space,

Scout, and Forest Hollow TrailsWaldorf School—Perham Creek TrailWellspring Middle School—Mitchell Creek

TrailWhole Foods IT Staff—Jeanne Golay TrailYampah High School—Wulfsohn Open Space

Trails

Special Contributors In honor of: Paul Boyer from Nancy BoyerGary Tennenbaum of Pitkin County Open

Space & Trails from Peter GanzMichael Dunsdon & David Borkenhagen from

Verena Bishop Scott Gordon from Donald & Grace Gordon Avery Simpson from Dan & Fran Arnold The Wysocki Family from Sara Sanderman

In honor and in memory of:Lance Meyer from David VtipilDavid Klein from:

• Joan Simon• Gary & Janice Bloom• Marc & Sharon Weinberger

Special gift from Lily Isaacson’s in honor of her Bat Mitzvah

11www.rfov.org

MANY THANKS TO OUR PROJECT SPONSORS, DONORS, & WORK GROUPS!

This charming poster is the winning entry in the Town of Basalt’s 2012

Arbor Day contest facilitated by RFOV. Congratulations to Basalt Middle School

5th-grader Tessa Conrardy!

When RFOV first launched our local Adopt-A Trail program, the 100 Club was one of

the first organizations to sign up. Over the last eight years, the group’s commitment and service hasn’t waned. Members of the Glenwood Springs-based hiking/skiing club show up every year to help maintain the Jeanne Golay trail on Red Mountain.

The 100 Club, started in 1990, includes couples whose combined ages equal 100, or singles over 50.

Hikes are scheduled for Monday and Wednesday throughout the summer, varying from trails like Jeanne Golay to more challenging climbs including the occasional 14er. Members track their mileage, and some have accumulated thousands of miles, including charter member Hal Sundin who hit the 6,000 mile mark last year.

It was Sundin who contacted RFOV executive director David Hamilton about adopting the Jeanne Golay trail, which was named after Olympic bicyclist Jeanne Golay who trained there in 1992. “The Jeanne Golay trail was originally a service road under an old chairlift on the mountain, on the original ski area in Glenwood Springs. Some steep sections of the

trail which climb between the old road switchbacks require a fair amount of work, so it’s been great to have a consistent group maintaining it over the years.” Hamilton explains.

The 100 Club’s commitment to trails extends beyond the Golay trail. According to Sundin, the group’s monthly newsletter posts RFOV’s upcoming trail projects, particularly those in the Glenwood Springs area that are hiked frequently by the club. “Members volunteer individually to work on the trails,” Sundin says. But he adds that at 86 he doesn’t volunteer much these days: “There comes a time when you’re not a pick and shovel guy anymore,” he says.

Many members of the 100 Club are also contributing members of RFOV, with another

mechanism that could generate funds for RFOV.

“For each hike someone is assigned to bring refreshments for everyone to share at the end of the hike,” Sundin says. “If they forget, they lose all their accumulated miles and have to buy them back at $1/mile through a contribution to RFOV.”

With most members having hundreds of miles—and a few with thousands of miles—so far, no one has forgotten.

We do trails—together!12

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Climb for Trails! from page 1

A strong core of CFTers has been rocking the trails and raising money in the process—several logged over 20 climbs in the first month! As of July 1, our top fundraiser Eileen Wysocki has already brought in $390 in sponsorships. Jenny Elliot is in second place with $300!

Have you signed up yet? It’s not too late! Although CFT officially started on Memorial Day, it runs through Labor Day weekend, and climbers can backlog every climb they’ve made since May 24.

When you register, you’ll receive a voucher for a free CFT Hat with your $15 registration fee. We encourage each climber to either pledge or raise a minimum of $50. Thanks to our generous sponsors and energetic climbers, RFOV has successfully covered our first-year costs, including the large one-time investment in CFT’s social website.

Team Bacon Pi. About a dozen 10-12 year-young boys got so excited about CFT, they made their own logo, sport the CFT hats proudly, and are having team t-shirts made. It is such a treasure to see young kids so enthusiastic about giving back to our trails!

Next up, we’re developing an August Hike Series to get climbers together for social and educational outings.

Keep up on the latest CFT developments and informal contests by visiting ClimbFor Trails.org, “Like” Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers on Facebook, or contact the office at 927-8241.