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We invite you to sign up for one or more of our Volunteer Trail Crews this summer.

Become a volunteer crew member to help us improve and preserve The Colorado Trail. We promise lots of fun, rewarding work, fresh air, and new friends! Scroll down to find out more about the program, review the summer schedule, and find links to sign up. Already part of the team? Crew Leaders can find links to necessary forms and other resources at the button below.

Are you interested in joining the CTF team this summer in a paid, part-time role supporting trail crews while being based out of our Poncha Springs location?  Click here to learn about our new Trail Operations Support position and to learn how to apply!

For Crew Leaders

2023 CREW STATS

19

Different trail crews

82

Crews are full

207

Crew members

JOIN A 2023 VOLUNTEER TRAIL CREW

Important: Please review this information carefully before signing up for a crew. General questions regarding crews or volunteering can be sent via email to ctf@coloradotrail.org or by phone at 303-384-3729.

Overview: Volunteer Trail Crews vary in length from one to eight days. We provide training, tools, hardhats, meals (except for vehicle-supported hike-in and backpack crews), group camp equipment, and leadership. Volunteers are responsible for their own transportation to the crew location and for their personal equipment, including tent or camper, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, dishes and eating utensils, work clothes, and other personal items, as applicable. Crews typically involve a hike to the project site but basecamp crews may require a drive and a hike each day if the campsite is not within reasonable hiking distance of the project site. Week-long (7 or 8 day) crews typically include a day off mid-week. Contact the Crew Leader for crew specifics.

Crew Sponsorship: If you are interested in being a donor to support one of the trail crews below, send an email to Executive Director, Tisha McCombs, at tisha@coloradotrail.org to get further details and pick which crew you would like to support. On average, each trail crew costs approximately $2,000 for supplies, food for volunteers, construction materials, and other associated costs. In the past, CTF charged a fee from participating volunteers to help cover a small portion of these fees; however, we have changed this policy starting in 2023 to no longer require participants to pay to help off-set these costs. Instead, each trail crew will be sponsored by a donor looking for a specific project to fund to support CTF’s ongoing efforts to keep the Colorado Trail the most well-maintained long-distance trail in America!

Participants: Participants must be at least 18 years of age (or have already completed a previous trail crew with a guardian) and in good physical condition. No previous trail building experience is required.

Registration: Crews are filled on a first-come, first-served basis upon receipt of your fully completed registration materials and deposit. A month before the crew start date, travel instructions and participant roster will be emailed to you to assist with planning, carpooling, etc. *Registering online is highly encouraged. Those with no access to a computer or smartphone can call our office at 303-384-3729 any weekday before 10am to register.

Deposit: Trail crews will no longer require a crew fee. Instead, we require a $50 refundable deposit to hold your spot on the trail crew, which will be refunded upon successful completion of the crew. If you register and then decide not to attend the trail crew, your deposit will be forfeited. Please be sure you are committed to attending before registering so that we can ensure trail crews are fully attended in order to complete the trail project.

Subject to Change: Due to the uncertainty around planning due to weather and other uncontrollable circumstances, there is potential for changes on these crews. If a schedule change is made by CTF, all crew members will have the option for a refund.

Thank you! We need your help in caring for The Colorado Trail, all 567 miles, and truly appreciate your involvement.

CREW TERMS

ONE-DAY: Snacks and a jug of water to fill up water bottles are provided on one-day crews. Crew members are responsible for providing their own lunch.

BASECAMP: Basecamp crews meet at a camping location accessible by vehicle. Meals are provided, but crew members assist with camp setup, meal preparation, kitchen cleanup, camp take-down, and other camp tasks.

VEHICLE-SUPPORTED HIKE-IN: Due to very technical 4WD access and limited campsite parking, crew members will hike with a daypack to the campsite while backpacks, tools, and group gear are transported by vehicle to (and from) the campsite. Crews are self-supported with each crew member bringing their own food, cooking equipment, and water treatment method. CTF provides food-hanging equipment (hang cord and carabiners) and a group tarp. Crew members will construct a backcountry toilet facility.

BACKPACK: Crew members backpack to camp, carrying personal gear and one or more tools and group gear. Crews are self-supported with each crew member bringing their own food, cooking equipment, and water treatment method. CTF provides food-hanging equipment (hang cord and carabiners) and a group tarp. Crew members will construct a backcountry toilet facility.

2WD: Crew meeting location is accessible by 2-wheel drive (2WD) vehicles via a paved or maintained gravel or dirt road. Road conditions may change with significant precipitation.

HCV: Access to meeting location involves rougher unpaved roads than 2WD crews. High clearance vehicles (HCVs) are recommended, but 4WD is not required. Road conditions may change with significant precipitation.

4WD: Access to meeting location involves very rough and steep roads of varying lengths. A high clearance vehicle with low range four-wheel drive (4WD) is recommended.

CHALLENGING CREW AT HIGH ELEVATION: Volunteers considering this type of crew should be physically active and acclimated to elevations above 9,000 feet. Volunteers living below 5,000 feet should plan on acclimating for several days to a week above 9,000 feet prior to the crew. While most active hikers should be fine participating in this type of crew, please contact the crew leader if you have questions regarding your fitness.

CDT CO-LOCATED: The Colorado Trail shares 314 miles of its length with the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail, a Congressionally-mandated, 3,100-mile-long trail stretching from Mexico to Canada that is stewarded by our friends at the Continental Divide Trail Coalition. Nine of our 2023 trail crews are on co-located sections of the CT/CDT

CREW 0123, Camp Hale

This crew is full with a long waitlist. We encourage you to select another crew and get signed up while you can!

  • June 15-18 (4 days)
  • Crew Leader: Scott Smith and Laura Brieser-Smith
  • Crew Leader: Dave Landers
  • Basecamp, 2WD
  • Elevation 10,500 ft., Segment 8, Eagle Holy Cross RD
  • CDT Co-Located

Join this crew to improve two bridges on this section of co-located CT/CDT in the newly designated Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument. This crew will focus on completely replacing one failing bridge and rebuilding a rickety bridge. Additional trail maintenance will be completed as time allows. Bridge worksites can be reached via a short walk from the parking locations.

bridge at camp hale

CREW 0223, Corske Creek I

This crew is full. Email ctf@coloradotrail.org to be placed on the waitlist, or we encourage you to select another crew and get signed up while you can!

  • June 20-25 (6 days)
  • Crew Leader: Glenn Kepler
  • Crew Leader: Brooks Lord
  • Basecamp, 2WD/ HCV to reach the project site
  • Elevation 10,500 ft., Segment 11, Leadville RD
  • CDT Co-Located

Join this crew to help complete a new bridge project with views of majestic Mount Elbert on this section of co-located CT/CDT. The crew will also work on dismantling the old bridge and building a couple hundred feet of new trail to connect the new bridge. This project was initiated by the local beavers who have been damming the creek and flooding the old bridge. The project locations can be reached via a daily 0.5-mile hike from the trailhead.

dirt area on corske

CREW 0323, Corske Creek II

This crew is full. Email ctf@coloradotrail.org to be placed on the waitlist, or we encourage you to select another crew and get signed up while you can!

  • June 25-30 (6 days)
  • Crew Leader: Dave Fitzwater
  • Crew Leader: Brenton Thom
  • Basecamp, 2WD/ HCV to reach the project site
  • Elevation 10,500 ft., Segment 11, Leadville RD
  • CDT Co-Located

See description for Crew 0223 Corske Creek I for info

bridge on corske creek

CREW 0423, Lime Creek

This crew is full. Email ctf@coloradotrail.org to be placed on the waitlist, or we encourage you to select another crew and get signed up while you can!

  • July 2-8 (7 days)
  • Crew Leader: Connie Wian
  • Backpack, 2WD
  • Elevation 11,400 ft, Segment 25, Columbine RD
  • Challenging, high-altitude crew
  • This crew is sponsored by Sarah Musil of Durango, CO!

Join this crew located in the beautiful San Juan Mountains that will be building 300 feet of new trail around a deep washout on the Colorado Trail. Project will also involve rehab work to close the original trail alignment and also will include improving tread on sections of trail nearby. Campsite can be reached via a stout 5-mile backpack trip starting from the Little Molas Lake trailhead. A daily hike of up to 1-mile will be required to reach the project locations.

CREW 0523, Three Elk Creek

This crew is full. Email ctf@coloradotrail.org to be placed on the waitlist, or we encourage you to select another crew and get signed up while you can!

  • July 6-10 (5 Days)
  • Crew Leader: Paul Smith
  • Backpack, 2WD
  • Elevation 10,200 ft, Segment 12, Leadville RD
  • Challenging, high-altitude crew
  • This crew is sponsored by Mike Yeomans!

Join this crew to help replace a rotting bridge located in the scenic Collegiate Peaks Wilderness. This crew will remove the old bridge and build a new one using native materials. Campsite can be reached via a stout 3.4-mile backpack trip starting from the Silver Creek trailhead. The campsite will be in close proximity to the worksite.

log spans creek

CREW 0623, Fooses Creek I

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THIS CREW

  • July 9-15 (7 days)
  • Crew Leader: Daniel Zier
  • Backpack, 2WD
  • Elevation 11,500 ft, Segment 15, Salida RD
  • Challenging, high-altitude crew
  • This crew is sponsored by Katabatic Gear LLC of Salida, CO!

Continue new trail construction on a 2.25-mile trail realignment to replace an eroding and very steep section of the Colorado Trail located below the Monarch Crest. The campsite will be reached via a stout 3.7-mile hike from the trailhead. Worksite can be reached via a moderate hike of up to 1.5 miles from the campsite.

trail crew on fooses creek

CREW 0723, Headwaters Hill I

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THIS CREW

  • July 18-23 (6 days)
  • Crew Leader: Tom Schutter
  • Vehicle-supported, Hike-in, 2WD
  • Elevation 11,500 ft, Segment 16, Gunnison, Salida and Saguache RDs
  • Challenging, high-altitude crew
  • CDT Co-Located
  • This crew sponsored by Peter Scanlon and other generous donors!

Continue 2022’s multi-partner effort to improve muddy and wet trail tread along this co-located and motorized section of the CT/CDT. Crew will focus on building turnpikes and implementing trail hardening techniques. Camp will be a moderate 1-mile hike from the meeting location. A daily hike of up to 1.5-miles will be required to reach the project location from the campsite.

ctf volunteers take break

CREW 0823, Fooses Creek II

This crew is full. Email ctf@coloradotrail.org to be placed on the waitlist, or we encourage you to select another crew and get signed up while you can!

  • July 20-23 (4 days)
  • Crew Leader: Ed Pfromer
  • Crew Leader: Matthew Smith
  • Backpack, 2WD
  • Elevation 11,500 ft, Segment 15, Salida RD
  • This crew is sponsored by Jon Greeneisen of Castle Rock, CO! 

See description for Crew 0623 Fooses Creek I for info

before after shot of trail repair on fooses creek

CREW 0923, Headwaters Hill II

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THIS CREW

  • July 23-28 (6 days)
  • Crew Leader: Tom Schutter
  • Vehicle-supported, Hike-in, 2WD
  • Elevation 11,500 ft, Segment 16, Gunnison, Salida and Saguache RDs
  • CDT Co-Located

See description for Crew 0723 Headwaters Hill I for info

headwaters hill- small

CREW 1023, Fooses Creek III

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THIS CREW

  • July 23-29 (7 days)
  • Crew Leader: Daniel Zier
  • Backpack, 2WD
  • Elevation 11,500 ft, Segment 15, Salida RD

See description for Crew 0623 Fooses Creek I for info

before after shot of trail repair on fooses creek section of colorado trail

CREW 1123, Women-Only, Gurnsey Creek

This crew is full. Email ctf@coloradotrail.org to be placed on the waitlist, or we encourage you to select another crew and get signed up while you can!

  • August 3-6 (4 Days)
  • Crew Leader: Cindy Johnson
  • Crew Leader: Robin Mino
  • Basecamp, HCV
  • Elevation 10,000 ft., Segment 6, South Park RD

This women-only crew will continue construction on a trail realignment to replace a deeply eroded and braided section of the Colorado Trail. The worksite will be a very short walk from the campsite. Road is HCV only but 2WD vehicles can be parked and volunteers shuttled in with coordination with Crew Leaders. Crew members will construct a backcountry toilet facility and will not have access to a portapotty.

group digs new trail at gurnsey creek

CREW 1223, Fooses Creek IV

This crew is full. Email ctf@coloradotrail.org to be placed on the waitlist, or we encourage you to select another crew and get signed up while you can!

  • August 3-6 (4 days)
  • Crew Leader: Ed Pfromer
  • Backpack, 2WD
  • Elevation 11,500 ft, Segment 15, Salida RD

See description for Crew 0623 Fooses Creek I for info

man uses pick to repair trail on fooses

CREW 1323, Illinois Creek

This crew is full. Email ctf@coloradotrail.org to be placed on the waitlist, or we encourage you to select another crew and get signed up while you can!

  • August 10-14 (5 days)
  • Crew Leader: Brent Adams and Anne Englert
  • Backpack, HCV
  • Elevation 12,000 ft., Segment CW02, Gunnison RD
  • CDT Co-Located

Join this crew to help build a new trail alignment of the co-located CT/CDT that will be located in the majestic Collegiate Peaks Wilderness. This new section will move the trail off of the motorized Timberline Trail. This crew will focus on building rock walls to stabilize a sandy section. Camp will be located approximately 3-miles and 1,500 ft of climbing from the end of the Illinois Creek road and will include some off-trail hiking. The worksite will be close to the campsite. Dark skies will hopefully provide excellent viewing of the Perseid meteor shower during the crew! This is the most difficult crew on the schedule due to challenges with high elevation and working above tree line.

colorado trail at illinois creek

CREW 1423, Miners Creek I

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THIS CREW

  • August 13-17 (5 days)
  • Crew Leader: Greg Speights
  • Crew Leader: Brian Verbeck
  • Vehicle-supported, Backpack, Hike-in, 2WD
  • Elevation 10,500 ft., Segment 7, Dillon RD
  • CDT Co-Located
  • This crew sponsored by Ned and Barb Grauel!

This crew will continue new trail construction on a realignment of an unsustainable section of the co-located CDT/CT in the Miners Creek drainage. Note that this is a vehicle-supported hike-in crew with an additional backpack hike (1 mile) in from the end of Miners Creek Road (3.5 miles). In total the hike into the campsite will be around 4.5 miles and around 2,000 feet of elevation gain. Worksite will be located a moderate hike of up to 1 mile each way from camp.

volunteers sits in front of trail section to be repaired at miners creek- large

CREW 1523, Miners Creek II

This crew is full. Email ctf@coloradotrail.org to be placed on the waitlist, or we encourage you to select another crew and get signed up while you can!

  • August 17-20 (4 days)
  • Crew Leader: Patrick Murray
  • Vehicle-supported, Backpack, Hike-in, 2WD
  • Elevation 10,500 ft., Segment 7, Dillon RD
  • CDT Co-Located

See description for Crew 1423 Miners Creek I for info

woman poses with pick on colorado trail at miners creek

CREW 1623, Molas Pass

This crew is full. Email ctf@coloradotrail.org to be placed on the waitlist, or we encourage you to select another crew and get signed up while you can!

  • August 19 (1day)
  • Crew Leader: Darin Radatz
  • One-day, 2WD
  • Elevation 11,000 ft, Segment 24, Columbine RD
  • This crew is sponsored by the participants of the Colorado Trail Race!

Join this crew to develop your trail skills in tread and drainage in the beautiful San Juans. Crew will focus on making improvements to eroded sections of trail, close unwanted spur trails, and also work on improving failing switchbacks. Plan to hike up to 4 miles round trip from the parking lot location.

river at molas pass

CREW 1723, Monarch Crest

This crew is full. Email ctf@coloradotrail.org to be placed on the waitlist, or we encourage you to select another crew and get signed up while you can!

  • August 23 (1day)
  • Crew Leader: Darin Radatz
  • One-day, 2WD
  • Elevation 11,500 ft, Segment CW05, Salida RD
  • CDT Co-Located
  • This crew is sponsored by the participants of the Colorado Trail Race!

Join this crew to develop your trail skills in tread and drainage on the beautiful Continental Divide. Crew will focus on making improvements to eroded sections of trail and also improve signage by installing trail posts along the co-located CDT/CT. Plan to hike up to 4 miles round trip from the parking lot location.

monarch pass sign

Partnership Crew Opportunities

CTF is contacted throughout the year by companies and volunteer groups that want to bring a large group of people to work on a volunteer project together. To facilitate this, CTF is offering two partnership crews this year. The goal is to partner with an organization for each one that can commit to filling the entire crew with their group. If you are part of a company or group that wants to partner for one of these two crews, contact Tisha McCombs at tisha@coloradotrail.org to discuss details.

CREW 1823, Fooses Creek V Group Crew

  • August 25-27 (3 days)
  • Crew Leader: Ed Pfromer
  • BACKPACK 2WD
  • Elevation 11,500 ft, Segment 15, Salida RD
  • Goal is to have 15-20 volunteers on this crew

Continue new trail construction on a 2.25-mile trail realignment to replace an eroding and very steep section of the Colorado Trail located below the Monarch Crest. The campsite will be reached via a stout 3.7-mile hike from the trailhead. Worksite can be reached via a moderate hike of up to 1.5 miles from the campsite.

dog with axe-tall

CREW 1923, Gudy Gaskill Bridge Group Crew

  • September 16 (1 day)
  • Crew Leader: Darin Radatz
  • ONE-DAY 2WD
  • Elevation 6,000 ft., Segment 2, South Platte RD
  • Goal is to have 15-25 volunteers on this crew

Come help maintain this section of trail located by the Gudy Gaskill Bridge named after The Mother of The Colorado Trail. The project will involve closing unwanted spurs trails, installing fence/rock barriers, and building tent platforms for trail users. Main worksite will be located in close proximity to trailhead but some projects will require up to a 2-mile hike to reach.

gudy gaskill bridge sign