Bear Creek

RMFI will partner with the Cheyenne Mountain Chapter of Trout Unlimited (CMCTU) to host a workday in the Bear Creek watershed. Bear Creek originates on the south slope of Pikes Peak. From its headwaters, the stream winds its way through montane meadows in Jones Park, cascading over Josephine Falls, meandering next to High Drive, and flowing through Bear Creek Regional Park before converging with Fountain Creek. The stream is habitat for the lone population of the greenback cutthroat trout, Colorado's state fish. The fish and the management of the Bear Creek watershed has been a big priority for land management agencies and conservation partners. To protect fish habitat, RMFI will close and decommission the undesignated trail that follows Bear Creek from its junction with Trail #666 to its terminus at Josephine Falls. 

 

Join RMFI and CMCTU to help with this effort. Under the supervision of staff from RMFI and CMCTU, volunteers will use various techniques to close the trail and return it to the surrounding landscape. Volunteers should expect to use tools to de-compact hardened soils, carry large rocks to stabilize erosion hotspots, move downed timber into the trail corridor, transplant vegetation plugs, install post-and-rail fence, and spread a native seed mix. 

 

Volunteers will carpool with us to the junction of High Drive and Lower Gold Camp, then hike approximately 2 miles (~500 feet elevation gain) to the worksite. This is considered a moderate to strenuous workday.