The birdsong of the dark eyed Junco and Crissal thrasher, the first glints of purple and gold of phlox and marigold. Situated on an airy ridge dotted with Ponderosa and Piñon pines. This is the setting of our second project of the season.
Our team, including CDTCs newest Field Coordinators, Michael McDaniel and Haley Gamertsfelder, will be out in the Gila in support of the Ghost Lake Reroute. We will be joined by Rick Guffey of the Reserve Ranger District. This 9.1 mile reroute runs north from Ghost Lake to 5 Springs (map below). In 2021 youth corps began to make headway on 3 miles of construction. In the fall of last year, volunteers cut a tenth of a mile of trail plus installed 6 drains. We return to the Ghost Lake Reroute May 26-29th to continue where they left off.
Teresa Martinez, the Executive Director of the CDTC is “thrilled to have a dynamic duo of expert field coordinators leading the season.” Between Michael and Haley lies 10 years of experience in the Field. Michael expressed his excitement for the season, his goal is to “connect people to their legacy along the Continental Divide Trail and open the door for new folks to experience this spectacular resource.” adding “Ghost Lake is an especially exciting opportunity because it involves rerouting and building a whole new section of the CDT, so volunteers will get to participate in some very engaging project work–and put their mark on an actual piece of trail–while creating a lasting, positive contribution for others to enjoy.” Haley shares in the pre-season excitement, she believes reroutes to be “especially gratifying work. I look forward to working on such a lengthy and important one while getting to know the flora and fauna of the Gila that I have heard so much about.”
We will be frontcountry car camping along a ridge. Dinner will be provided each night aside from the arrival night. Breakfast and Lunch ingredients will be available each workday (think oatmeal for breakfast and sandwiches for lunch.) Snacks and other supplemental food is up to the volunteer. We will have water cubes, but please bring enough for yourself for the workday.
Frontcountry camping and low mileage days make for an approachable project, as long as you’re ready to dig.
Hope to see you out there!
Join us in the Gila!
Yellow Pentstemon in Bloom
