Handbook
WELCOME TO THE GRAND COUNTY WILDERNESS GROUP!
Who We Are:
We are a group of individuals and couples who share a common interest in
outdoor activities and are willing to put time and energy into helping the
forest.
Our Mission is:
TO ASSIST THE US FOREST SERVICE IN
THE PRESERVATION,
PROTECTION,
IMPROVEMENT AND PUBLIC
UNDERSTANDING
OF THE
WILDERNESS AREAS IN GRAND
COUNTY.
What We Do:
All members are encouraged to host at trail head cabins and be an ambassador while hiking on
national forest and wilderness trails.
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An orientation is provided at both the Monarch Trailhead Cabin and the Junco
Trailhead Cabin. The orientations are for new members and those who have not
hosted in the past. Any member wanting a refresher is welcome. Information
about our group's history, wilderness areas in Grand County and specific
details on being a trail ambassador and hosting at the cabins are shared. Location of the
cabin key, radio protocol at Junco and telephone protocol at Monarch are
presented. How to issue backcountry permits and ANRA day passes are discussed.
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Each couple or individual is expected to host at least two times at the cabins
and a minimum of two times on the trail.
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Those unable to attend orientation can arrange to cabin host with experienced
members. This can be done independently or though the volunteer coordinator
for the cabin.
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The volunteer coordinator is identified on the membership list and on the website, see Cabin Hosting. The Hosting Schedule is also listed .
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Hours of hosting may vary on your time available. In general hosts are at the
cabin from 9 to 4.
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Being a trail ambassador includes anytime you are hiking on national forest trails or
wilderness trail. Hours for trail host are portal to portal. (when you leave
your house or "portal") Members should wear their volunteer tee shirts and, if
you have one, your forest service volunteer ID.
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In an effort to be more supportive of hikers, being a trail ambassador is encouraged
on weekends when the hiker numbers are highest.
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We are not at the cabins or on the trails to enforce regulations. We can share
information about regulations since many times that is all that is needed.
Examples are Indian Peak's Wilderness leash law (some members take and offer
leashes when needed) or camping 100 ft. from water ( 40 good strides equals
approximately 100 ft).
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Time spent cabin hosting is recorded by the coordinator while each individual
needs to record thier time on the trail. These hours are sent to the member
tallying our volunteer hours for the Forest Service. These hours are used in
grant applications and reports.
OTHER OPPORTUNITIES FOR INVOLVEMENT:
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Trail and Cabin Maintenance: After the road to Junco is free of snow, we ask
member volunteers to gather at the Junco trailhead to spruce up the cabin and
the outhouse and to do trail maintenance. The outhouse and vault were moved to
the area using GCWG grant money. We are supported in our maintenance
activities by forest service expertise, equipment and manpower.
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Registration Boxes: We built and now maintain 9 registration boxes. A member
volunteers to provide registration sheets, retrieve them and tabulate the
numbers for that trail. These numbers are given to another volunteer who pulls
them together and writes a report for the Forest Service. This report has been
identified as being very important in Forest Service planning and funding.
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Bulletin Boards: New BB are being constructed and installed at the major
trailheads in Grand County by GCWG members and Forest Service personnel. They
will need photos and informational signs. The boards will need to be updated
and maintained for many years and will require member effort and involvement.
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Daisy Days: When the ox-eye daisy and other noxious weeds are "ripe" an e-mail
goes out with the date of daisy day. Volunteers gather at Monarch Lake and
pull and bag noxious weeds. We are again assisted by knowledgeable Forest
Service Staff.
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Nation Public Lands Day: A Volunteer from our group coordinates members
wishing to participate in Public Lands Day. GCWG members are encouraged to
wear our organization's shirt and to represent us at the event.
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Newsletter: We try to have two newsletters a year. Any member can write for
the newsletter. Our editor encourages members to submit articles and then
organizes them into a "good read"
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Other Opportunities: E-mails are sent out when other tasks or volunteer needs are known.
POT LUCKS, PICNICS AND PARTIES:
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Official meetings take place in the fall and the spring. The fall is a time
for saying "job well done". We usually have a speaker of general interest.
Members share funny tales and experiences from the summer and business is
minimized. The spring meeting is a time to recruit volunteers and let the
membership know of plans for the summer. Forest Service staff brings us up to
date on their activities. We have a cocktail "hour", great maincourses
(provided by the board), salads, veggies and abundant deserts.
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Summer Picnic. This is a party held at a Forest Service barn on the Colorado
River. It is a chance to mingle, eat great food, and get to know other members.
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Winter white deer party. Save those gifts that are funny, weird or bizarre and
bring them wrapped to a gift choosing event. This is pure fun with lots of
laughs. As usual there is good food to eat.
OTHER GET TOGETHERS:
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Announcements of trips, hikes, projects etc can be sent out via e-mail by
individuals in the group using their membership list. It is requested that you
be selective in this by sending to those you think would be interested in the
activity. At times notice of a trip such as our spring Canyonlands trip, may
be sent out to all members. Political messages should not be sent since ours
is a non political group.
GROUP ORGANIZATION:
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We are a 501(c)3 organization with bylaws and a board. A board member may
serve 2 three year term. Spouses are invited to board meetings and may
participate in discussion. Only board members may vote. Officers are elected
by and from the board. Each spring the membership is offered names of
interested members to vote onto the board. The names are offered by the
current board. Nominations can be offered from the floor. People who have
taken responsibilities for group activities are usually those nominated. If
you are interested in becoming more involved there is always a need for
leadership. If an activity of interest already has a chairperson, you can
assist and usually take over the next year.
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Board meetings are held twice a year and as needed. There is usually a dinner.
HELPFUL INFORMATION
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Our membership list is the way we communicate. If you change your address,
e-mail, phone number etc, please send that change to the membership person.
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Dues are $20 per household. They are collected anytime after September 1st and
must be paid by June first. The membership list is updated to include only
dues paying members. The updated list is then sent out to each household. An
e-mail is sent with new member info to add to the list as new members join.
New members are sent an updated membership list when they join.
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The president of the group usually has a complete e-mail list and will send out
appropriate messages. The membership person also can forward messages to the
membership.
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Officers, board members, cabin hosting coordinators, newsletter editor and
others that you may need to contact are identified on the updated membership
list each year. If a change occurs, an e-mail would be sent with that
information.
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We now have a web site at www.GCWG.org. It is very complete and provides up to
date information on cabin hosting schedules, activities, events, trail status,
etc.
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