Rocky Mountain Field Institute · In 2016, the Rocky Mountain Field Institute (RMFI) completed its...

Rocky Mountain Field Institute City of Colorado Springs Open Space Stewardship Services (TOPS)

Contract #C008169 2016 Annual Project Report

December 21, 2016

Report prepared by: James Osaer, Field Instructor/Crew Leader

815 South 25th Street, Suite 101 Colorado Springs, CO 80904

www.rmfi.org

Dedicated to the conservation and stewardship of public lands in the Pikes Peak Region

Rocky Mountain Field Institute 2016 TOPS Annual Project Report

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SUMMARY In 2016, the Rocky Mountain Field Institute (RMFI) completed its first season of stewardship work on a number of Colorado Springs properties acquired with revenue from the Trails, Open Space, and Parks tax (TOPS). This was the first year Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services (CSPRCS) was able to apply specific funding and resources toward its goal to increase stewardship on many of its public land acquisitions under the TOPS tax initiative. In May of 2016,the City of Colorado Springs (City) awarded RMFI a multi-year ‘Open Space Stewardship Services’ contract (Contract #C008169). Between May and November 2016, RMFI worked with CSPRCS staff, community volunteers, and local park support groups (‘Friends of’ groups) to implement the new stewardship program on 4 priority TOPS properties (Red Rock Canyon Open Space, Ute Valley Park Open Space, Blodgett Peak Open Space, and Stratton Open Space). RMFI formed a staff-based TOPS crew to accomplish stewardship work objectives and to lead volunteer groups when they could be effectively engaged in the project. RMFI worked closely with CSPRCS land management staff to assess stewardship requirements (implementing available Master/Management Plan provisions), to manage and conduct stewardship projects, and to monitor those projects for success and for necessary adaptations of techniques to suit local conditions and park uses. Concurrent with RMFI’s efforts, CSPRCS also organized a small crew of CSPRCS employees that conducted interpretive outreach and stewardship activities on some of the same TOPS properties. In close coordination with CSPRCS staff, RMFI developed work plans for each priority property based upon City priorities and current Master/Management Plans. CSPRCS designated Stratton Open Space, Blodgett Open Space, Ute Valley Park Open Space, University Park, and Red Rock Canyon Open Space as priority for 2016 work. Later in the season, CSPRCS determined that time originally allocated for University Park should be applied to additional stewardship projects at Ute Valley Open Space. RMFI’s 2016 TOPS work objectives centered on key areas within each property that were designated by CSPRCS. RMFI then worked in close coordination with each property’s park staff to identify specific work sites and objectives within those key areas. Objectives often included the closure and restoration of social trails, stabilization of erosion gullies through installation of check-dams and other erosion control structures, building in-trail structures to improve trail sustainability, and in Ute Valley, beginning construction of a new designated trail. The overall goal of this work was to implement aspects of the master planning for each location, which sought to facilitate public visitation and sustainable use in these natural areas while applying best practices to reduce visitor impact to the resources. Over the course of the season, a total of 291 volunteers donated 1,269 hours on 25 volunteer days for a total work value of $29,897.64 (at $23.56 per hour, independentsector.com). Additionally, the RMFI TOPS stewardship crew worked an additional 76 workdays for a total of 101 stewardship workdays organized and led by RMFI under the Open Space Stewardship Project. These staff and volunteer hours (over 3,300 combined work hours) resulted in a vast amount of work being accomplished this season. Highlights of the work included the closure and restoration of 12,904 linear feet of social trails (2.4 miles) including 1,630 transplants; the installation of 416 linear feet of fencing; the construction of 87 erosion control structures and


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501 square feet of retaining wall; the construction or maintenance of 43 drainage structures; the improvement of 4,447 linear feet of existing trail; and the construction of 1,678 feet of new trail. These data are a fantastic representation of a 1st year TOPS stewardship plan and will only improve over the course of the next year. The 2016 work proved to be an essential addition to the stewardship of these heavily-visited, key open spaces, and played an important role in the City’s approach to increasing stewardship and community involvement throughout its TOPS properties. BACKGROUND The City’s TOPS Program was initiated in 1997 to acquire and preserve public spaces for trails, open spaces, and parks throughout Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak Region. The TOPS Program is funded through a 1/10th of a cent sales tax. Since the inception of the TOPS Program, over 6,200 acres of open space lands have been acquired for natural resource conservation and public recreation. Over 30 TOPS open space properties including Red Rock Canyon Open Space, Stratton Open Space, University Park Open Space, Blodgett Peak Open Space, an addition to Ute Valley Park, and the Bluestem Open Space have been acquired by the City with TOPS sales tax funds. These natural spaces are also offered additional protection under the provisions of conservation easements entered into by the City with the Palmer Land Trust. Stratton Open Space Stratton Open Space is a 306.5-acre property located on the southwest edge of Colorado Springs at the transition from residential neighborhoods to the east and expansive public lands to the west including North Cheyenne Canyon Park and the Pike National Forest (Figure 1). The property contains a diverse mosaic of ecological communities, including grasslands, shrublands, and forests, which provide habitat for a variety of wildlife species. The property is also a recreational asset, with a variety of trails that provide access for outdoor recreation and serves as a gateway to a regional system of trails. Its location along the Ute Pass Fault defines much of its mountain front geology. The property was purchased by the City in 1998 with revenue from the TOPS sales tax. Two reservoirs, Gold Camp Reservoir and South Suburban Reservoir, are located on the property. These reservoirs are operated and maintained by Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU) and there are roads located on the property for vehicle traffic that provide access to each. Stratton Open Space is extremely popular with local residents who live nearby. This is a popular attraction for hiking and mountain biking, and also heavily used by pet owners. The property features a fairly robust system of designated trails, which pre-date the property’s acquisition, although many are severely incised and in need of repair due to poor alignment with the hilly

Figure 1. Stratton Open Space.


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terrain. Unfortunately, the network of social trails on this property is just as robust as the designated system. Off-trail use here is extremely prevalent with many users accustomed to hiking or biking their favorite social trails over more than a decade. In many places, it is hard to distinguish between designated trails and social trails. Blodgett Peak Open Space The City of Colorado Springs purchased Blodgett Peak Open Space in 2001 with revenue from the TOPS tax. Blodgett Peak Open Space directly abuts United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) property and provides unmatched views of Blodgett Peak and the City (Figure 2). It includes a utilities access road that stretches from the property’s parking lot and trailhead to the top of Peregrine Trail near a CSU-operated water tower, also located on the property. Throughout the open space there is a variety of rock sedimentation, including Manitou Limestone, Fountain Formation, and Pierre Shale. The open space includes several designated trails, but is patched quite severely by spider webs of social trails throughout the property. The open space predominantly attracts users from the local residential area. Typical users are hikers and mountain bikers. The property presents several challenges in creating a sustainable open space including steep slopes, fall-line trail alignments, individual homeowner access trails, which stem directly from bordering residences, and braiding networks of social trails. Ute Valley Park Open Space In 2013, the City acquired 200 acres of property directly adjacent to Ute Valley Park from the Hewlett-Packard Corporation with a combination of private funding, a Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) lottery grant, and Colorado Springs' TOPS sales tax funding. The newly acquired property shares the same geology and natural features as the original parcel, and is an extremely popular area for the mountain biking user group in particular (Figure 3). Its users are primarily local residents living near the property and it does not see a heavy volume of out-of-town tourist visitation. The property is underlain by the Laramie Formation and is characterized by brittle rock outcrops and heavily weathered soils, which create highly erodible surfaces. The property was once home to several coalmines and rock quarries. This combination fosters sparse vegetation and presents abundant opportunities for social trails to be easily established by off-trail visitors seeking access to new vantage points or an unclaimed route for bike riding. In fact, social trails can be quickly

Figure 2. Blodgett Peak Open Space.

Figure 3. Ute Valley Park Open Space.


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established here with as few as 3-4 passes on undesignated paths by off-trail users. In some areas of the property, the alignment of trails up steep slopes in combination with moderate to heavy rain events, have led to severe incision of several sections of designated trails as well as the formation of gullies in impacted off-trail locations. Red Rock Canyon Open Space Red Rock Canyon Open Space (RRCOS) shares most of the same geology and natural features as its more famous and heavily-visited neighbor, the Garden of the Gods Park. With far fewer out-of-town visitors, RRCOS remains a favorite of local outdoor enthusiasts throughout the year. Situated at the foot of the Ute Pass, its dramatic sedimentary rock formations and foothills vegetation frame great views of the Front Range rising on its western boundary (Figure 4). A majority of trails on the property are designated multi-use including its connection with the regional “Section 16 Trail” (also named the Palmer Trail). Some areas are designated to accommodate special pursuits, including rock climbing and off-leash pet areas. The open space is a consolidation of three land purchases by the City of Colorado Springs in 2003, 2009, and 2010. Together, these parcels have had a long history of privately-developed land usage going back to the late 19th century, including small-scale mining operations, ore processing, quarrying of architectural sandstone, siting of a trailer park, and landfill operations. The most recent landowner made large-scale excavations, which altered the natural drainage patterns throughout the parcel. Evidence of these activities remains throughout the property. As is the case in the Garden of the Gods, the predominant sandy soils in RRCOS are some of the most erodible in El Paso County. In more heavily visited areas of the park, segments of trail with poor alignment have quickly eroded due to significant rain events and off-trail use. OPEN SPACE STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM GOALS In support of the City’s stewardship goals for its Open Space properties, the primary goals of RMFI’s Open Space Stewardship Services (TOPS) program are to:

• Plan, implement, and manage open space stewardship projects at various open spaces acquired through the City’s TOPS program, guided by the City’s master/management plans for these properties;

• Complete critical restoration work in the most severely degraded areas of each property; • Complete essential trail improvement and construction work to provide for designated

enjoyable and sustainable access throughout each property; • Provide stewardship opportunities for a broad spectrum of the community including

individuals, local schools, community organizations, businesses, and other groups;

Figure 4. Red Rock Canyon Open Space.


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• Foster community awareness about the ecology, natural history, and current threats to each property.

PUBLIC PERCEPTION OF 2016 STEWARDSHIP WORK Throughout the year, RMFI staff and volunteers noted positive interactions with the public who were curious and excited about the work being conducted on TOPS properties. The TOPS crew was rarely challenged by park users, however, when those moments did present themselves, they were typically in either Stratton Open Space or Ute Valley Park Open Space. This may have been due to the fact that RMFI worked for a longer time at these 2 properties as compared to other TOPS properties this season. In Stratton Open Space, typical resistance to City-coordinated work stemmed from local users’ disagreement with certain social trail closures on the property. These users felt that some of the closures were unnecessary and also stated that some of trails that were closed-off and restored were their most preferred trails on the property. Some users claimed to have been hiking those social trails for more than a decade and saw no legitimate reason for the closures, even after attempts by staff to explain the negative effects of social trails. In one location, a social trail closure (deadfall timber obstacle) was dismantled and restoration work undone. Although these encounters did happen on occasion, the majority of users (estimates as high as 90%) were pleased to see restoration and maintenance work being done on their local open space. Interactions in Ute Valley Park Open Space were much the same as those at Stratton. Typical encounters with users were friendly, and most appreciated the work being done. However, as with Stratton Open Space, some users felt that the closures and restoration of particular areas and social trails were unnecessary, especially when involving their most frequented routes. In Ute Valley Park Open Space, these comments were generally received from the mountain biking user group. Unsatisfied members of this group were very persistent. In 2 sites, social trail closures (deadfall obstacles) were dismantled, restoration work undone, and bike ramps re-constructed, not once, but twice. Still, RMFI crews felt that the majority of the time users were happy to see improvements being made and the general comment received was a ‘thank you.’ WORK NARRATIVE Stratton Open Space From May 24 – July 9, 2016, RMFI worked on several objectives primarily centered on 8 distinct work sites designated by CSPRCS in Stratton Open Space (Appendix A). In addition to social trail closure, other objectives included the installation of subsurface stabilization timbers (SSST) to restore incised trail sections, installation of log sills, drainage structure improvements, repair of existing trail and tread, and the construction of two timber drop structures. Project objectives at each site were accomplished with a combination of RMFI TOPS crew workdays, open enrollment volunteer workdays, corporate group volunteer workdays, and youth/school group volunteer workdays. Open enrollment days, held typically on weekends, were available to anyone in the community who wanted to give back to one of the city’s most popular open spaces with individual attendants representing all demographics of the local population. RMFI was able to partner with several corporate and school-aged groups in order to provide environmental


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education, service learning, and community service credit. The Friends of Stratton Open Space, a relatively young stewardship organization, was not yet prepared to participate with RMFI on workdays during this period. In all, RMFI improved 3,367 linear feet of designated trail, closed and restored 1,669 linear feet of social trail, restored 272 square feet of impacted area, installed 136 linear feet of fencing, and built 2 timber drop structures. The work also included the placement of 492 native transplants and the installation of 35 log sills. Timber Drop Structures: Project Site 1 was located directly west of the Cheyenne Mountain High School baseball field and directly south of the Stratton Forest Heights neighborhood. The primary work at this location addressed heavy erosion and sedimentation originating from a natural drainage that was transporting stormwater from the Stratton Forest Heights neighborhood through the northeast corner of the park to the high school (Appendix A). This area of the open space is close to direct neighborhood access and is a popular area for mountain bikers. Work objectives included the installation of two timber drop structures in the aforementioned drainage, as well as social trail restoration and repair of a section of the Ponderosa Trail, which traverses the site. RMFI ran multiple TOPS crew workdays at this site with a large portion of the time spent building the drop structures (Figure 5). Each structure required more than 40 large timbers and armoring the other existing drop structures with several tons of rock.

Social Trail Restoration: The priorities for work at Sites B, D, E, G, 7, and 8 (Appendix A) were the closure and restoration of vast networks of well-established social trails, and the stabilization of gullies draining into these routes. RMFI applied a standard 5-step closure and restoration technique to accomplish social trail closures over a total of 1,669 linear feet of social trails and another 272 square feet of off-trail impacted area. The 5-step technique is listed on the next page. A total of 492 native grass bunches and various other native herbs were locally-sourced and transplanted within the restored social trail areas. Additonally, a total of 136 linear feet of post and dowel fencing was installed at entrances to many of these social trails in order to effectively deny user access. Sites 7 and 8 bounded the ends of the most significant social trail addressed this year by RMFI at Stratton. It was a long and gullied social trail spanning between the Chutes Trail and Gold Camp Path. The RMFI TOPS crew and volunteers worked to install 15 log sills

Figure 5. Timber drop structure number 1. Before photo (left) depicts the undercutting of the existing drop structure in the background, remedied by the addition of the new structure. After photo (right) shows the added structure incorporating a hardened trail drainage crossing in the foreground of the photo.


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along this gullied path to achieve check-dam stabilization effects. To close off-trail access, RMFI installed 58 linear feet of fencing at the two entrances. Basic 5-step closure and restoration technique:

1. Close-off user access to the undesignated trail segment or area. Physical obstacles and signage are often necessary, at least initially.

2. Assess requirement for and install necessary water management structure. 3. De-compact disturbed soil areas to a minimum depth of 4 inches. Introduce soil

amendments, as prescribed. 4. Sow native grass seed, lightly raking in (generally ¼” at most) and lightly tamping soil

surface to retain seeds. 5. Lightly mulch over seeds (for protection and moisture retention) and blend restored area

with natural surroundings with native transplants, etc. Designated Trail Improvement: Work at Site 9 consisted of repairing and improving significant sections of the existing Gold Camp Path. This was accomplished with a combination of RMFI TOPS crew workdays as well as staff-led volunteer days (Figure 6). A variety of techniques were utilized to stabilize and improve 3,192 linear feet of trail. Work was done to re-grade and outslope the majority of the tread and to install several drainage structures and grade dips to improve the trail’s ability to shed water. RMFI also cleared the trail corridor of overgrown vegetation, installed two timber risers, and maintained 19 existing drainage structures. In addition to site 9 work, a short length of designated trail, 175 linear feet, was improved at site 1. Blodgett Peak Open Space The RMFI TOPS crew worked in Blodgett Peak Open Space between July 12-16. Work at this site focus on 4 main objectives: stabilizing a gully directly adjacent to the Peregrine Trail, stabilizing and maintaining tread on the Peregrine Trail, restoring several social trails near the water tower and near the Douglas-Fir Trail, and improving a segment of the Douglas-Fir Trail (Appendix B). Work at this site over the short 1-week period did not include volunteers, though inquiries were made with the Peregrine Home Owners Association (the local friends group). The Peregrine group, which is an active steward of the park, preferred to conduct its own stewardship workday that week, but did offer encouragement for the TOPS work. In all, RMFI improved 955 feet of designated trail and closed and restored 250 linear feet of social trail, including the placement of 96 transplants and the installation of 6 drainage structures. RMFI also installed 6 rock check dams at this site.

Figure 6. Group of T. Rowe Price volunteers after completing a day of corridor clearing on Gold Camp Path.


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Figure 7. Group of Keysight Technologies volunteers restoring a section of braided trail.

Site A: There were multiple objectives at Site A including the closure of a short social trail, which ran along the fence of the water tower, stabilization of a drainage to reduce incision, improvement of the designated Peregrine Trail, and stabilization of a large gully directly adjacent to Peregrine Trail. The Peregrine Trail is aligned along the fall-line of a steep hill, making it very susceptible to drainage problems and erosion. The TOPS crew applied the 5-step closure and restoration technique and installed 30 transplants to close the 50 foot-long social trail. To help control drainage onto the Peregrine Trail, staff installed 3 drainage structures above the trail, diverting water away from the tread, and heavily armored one natural drain, which was developing a head-cut and causing considerable incision along its path to the Peregrine Trail. Finally, tread improvements were made along the Peregrine Trail and 6 rock check-dams were installed in the gully adjacent to the Peregrine Trail to help to slow water drained from the trail to the gully and to assist in backfilling the gully over time. The RMFI crew utilized 2.5 tons of rock to accomplish the armoring and construction of rock check-dams at this site. Site B: There were multiple objectives at Site B including the closure and restoration of a social trail of approximately 200 linear feet. The trail appeared to be used by mountain bikers as a shortcut between the upper and lower sections of the Douglas-Fir Trail. RMFI also improved a portion of the existing tread on the Douglas-Fir Trail and refined its primary switchback. RMFI accomplished the social trail restoration utilizing the 5-step closure and restoration technique, including the transplanting of 66 locally-sourced, native grasses and other native herbs. Approximately 570 linear feet of the Douglas-Fir Trail was also stabilized and improved by re-grading and out-sloping this section of the trail. The Douglas-Fir Trail switchback was the location where, as mentioned above, mountain bike users appeared to be traveling off of the designated trail as a shortcut between the upper and lower sections of the Douglas-Fir. RMFI stabilized and improved the sustainability of the switchback by re-grading the tread and re-forming the backslope. Also, approximately 20 feet of the tread upon entering the upper portion of the switchback was insloped. A drain was then added at the hinge portion of the tread to allow water to shed off at the apex of the switchback. Finally, a short mono-wall composed of locally sourced rock was built along the outer edge of the switchback. This was added to improve the stability of the switchback’s unstable soil and to assist in keeping users on the designated path. Ute Valley Park Open Space From August 3 –26 and then again from October 27 – December 9, RMFI worked to address several objectives in the TOPS-portion of Ute Valley. There were multiple objectives throughout August including social trail closure and restoration and the stabilization of eroded areas at 5 sites throughout the property (Figure 7; Appendix C). In addition to social trail closure, other objectives at these 5 sites included the installation of several head-cut treatments and rock check dams.


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Objectives throughout the October-December time period were re-closure of 2 social trails originally closed in August and the construction of 2 new trail segments. The first of the new trails was a new connector trail linking a trailhead and parking lot at the new traffic circle with the existing trail system. The second new trail involved construction of the southern portion of the Eastern Loop Trail. Project objectives at each site were accomplished with a combination of RMFI TOPS crew workdays, open enrollment volunteer workdays, corporate group volunteer workdays, and youth/school group volunteer workdays. In all, RMFI closed and restored 2,847 feet of social trail including the addition of 666 transplants, constructed 1,678 feet of new trail including 396 square feet of retaining wall, constructed 13 rock check dams, and installed 22 log sills and 4 rock step falls. Social Trail Restoration: The priorities for work at Sites 1, 2, 4, and 5 (Appendix C) were area restoration and the closure and restoration of large networks of well-established social trails. RMFI accomplished these tasks by closing and restoring a total of 2,153 linear feet of social trails and 1,870 square feet of impacted area. As part of the 5-step restoration technique, 563 bunches of native grasses and various other native herbs were transplanted. In additon, 8 log sills were installed at Site 1 for erosion control purposes. Several of the social trails in these sites were mountain bike trails, which included fabricated jumps and banked turns. In these locations, closure work included de-constructing those structures. The majority of the jumps and banking turns had been constructed and supported with locally-sourced rock and fallen timbers; RMFI deconstructed and redistributed these materials as needed. Erosion Control: Work at Site 3 primarily involved the installation of rock structures to address the extensive erosion occurring throughout this undesignated off-trail bike area. Several head-cuts were treated here using a combination of rock delivered by the City and some locally sourced rock. RMFI constructed 4 rock step-fall structures (Figure 8) to treat 4 head-cuts at Site 3. Water from these drainages had been flowing over these head-cuts and continuing to drain, crossing directly over the designated trail nearby. To halt further erosion and narrowing of the trail, RMFI also installed several rock check-dams at Site 3, near the ‘Big Juniper’ below the step-falls.

Figure 8. Two rock step-falls constructed at Site 3 to stabilize erosion head-cuts.


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Figure 10. New trail construction before (left) and after (right) on the Eastern Loop Trail. In addition to addressing significant slope, crews cleared trail corridor through thick stands of Gambel Oak and rock.

New Trailhead Connector: In the fall of 2016, RMFI returned to Ute Valley for additional work which CSPRCS had identified as priority. One of those projects was the construction of a connector trail that linked the Ute Valley trail system to a new trailhead and parking lot at the newly-built HP access road traffic circle. The connector trail is 350 feet in length and includes a short ‘A’ and ‘B’ mountain bike route option near its beginning (Figure 9). The ‘A’ route is designated for beginner or novice riders, and the ‘B’ route is designated for intermediate to advanced riders. The RMFI TOPS crew spent several days cutting this tread as well as building the ‘A’ and ‘B’ routes and armoring a short section of the trail to harden its passage through a swale.

Eastern Loop Trail Connector: Following completion of the new connector trail segment, the crew began construction of the challenging southern portion of the multi-use Eastern Loop Trail (Figure 10). Upon its completion, this portion of the trail will reach approximately 1.2 miles in length and complete the loop for the existing Eastern Loop Trail, replacing a hazardous social trail that runs along the edge of a cliff. To date, approximately 1,328 feet of the trail construction has been fully completed, including corridor clearance, rough cut-in, structure, and tread finishing. The alignment of this new trail is through very steep terrain, quite often exceeding

Figure 9. New trail connector before (left) and after (right) depicting alternate A and B routes aligned with CSPRCS input, to provide a variety of ride options for cyclists while sustaining a designated route.


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65% cross-slope. With the help of dedicated volunteers, the crew has already constructed approximately 396 square feet of retaining wall (Figure 11) along this trail with on-site rock, to stabilize the bench in its most challenging sections. One such retaining wall includes a short ‘A’ and ‘B’ route selection to accommodate the experience level of riders. Another section traverses a natural stone bridge. As this trail alignment winds across numerous swales, trail builders have armored cross-trail drainage at several points and have installed the first of multiple culverts to facilitate drainage in high-volume locations. RMFI anticipates the go-ahead from CSPRCS to complete this trail construction project in spring 2017.

Red Rock Canyon Open Space Between August 30 – October 27, with some pauses for other projects in that period, RMFI worked at 4 locations in RRCOS. The objectives at these locations included social trail closure and restoration and the stabilization of a long network of severely eroded gullies. The RMFI TOPS crew worked with several volunteer groups to address these objectives over the course of several weeks. Priority was given to the closure of a very well-defined social trail (downhill bike course) in the ‘Section 16’ area of the open space, labeled ‘Critter’ by its builders and users (Appendix D1). The Critter Trail was deliberately constructed by mountain bike users and included well-developed banked turns and jumps throughout the nearly 1 mile-long social trail. Unfortunately, its alignment was already causing resource damage in the short few weeks between its construction and its discovery by park staff. Next, RMFI addressed Sites 3B & 3C (Appendix D2) which were segments of a 1,600 foot-long social trail running parallel with the Contemplative and Sand Canyon Trails on the northwest side of the open space. Finally, the focus turned to a severely eroded area (Site 3A, Appendix D3) in the center of the open space, near the old landfill, where RMFI worked to stabilize a large gully network that had eroded by drainage directed off of the Lion Trail above. Project objectives at each site were accomplished with a combination of RMFI TOPS crew workdays, open enrollment volunteer workdays, corporate group volunteer workdays, and youth/school group volunteer workdays

Figure 11. Rock wall construction before (left) and after (right) on the Eastern Loop Trail to stabilize the bench in its most challenging sections.


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Figure 13. Banked turn on ‘Critter’ Trail before (left) and after (right) following deconstruction and dispersal of materials.

Critter Trail: The ‘Critter’ social trail was 5,007 feet long (0.95-miles) and was constructed illegally by mountain bike users in the Section 16 area of RRCOS. The top of the trail (Figure 12) connected with the Red Rock Loop Trail (Section 16 Trail) and was marked with a hand-made wooden stake sign indicating its name. At the bottom, an identical sign indicated its end where it connected with the the Parralel Trail. The RMFI TOPS crew worked five days to close and restore this social trail, focusing 5-step restoration techniques along 200 foot sections at both ends of the trail to make these ends ‘disappear’ back into their surroundings. In order to further deter its use, a local ‘Friends’ group known as the Manitou Cats, assisted the city in erecting a short section of post and dowel fencing at the bottom portion of ‘Critter’. Further work then deconstructed and dispersed all materials used to build and reinforce banked turns (Figure 13), blocked portions of the trail by felling two trees across it at chokepoints (as coordinated with park staff), and used the disturbed soil and other material to re-contour the damaged slope.

Figure 12. Top of ‘Critter’ Trail before (left) and after (right) following application of closure and restoration techniques.


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Sites 3B & 3C: These two sites involved the closure and restoration of 2 contiguous segments of a well-established social trail, and its braided off-shoots, which ran parallel with the Contemplative and Sand Canyon Trails (Figure 14). The trail was quite popular and well-traveled. Between both segments, staff and volunteers closed-off and restored 2,072 linear feet of social trail. This was accomplished by installing 170 linear feet of fencing between the two areas, along with several (6) signs to deter use. RMFI also installed 8 log sills and 4 rock check dams, and planted 376 transplants. One-hundred square feet of erosion control (EC) matting was also applied on a steep section of Site 3B to manage water along these paths and ensure seed and mulch would not be washed away during rain events.

Site 3A: The main objective at this site was to stabilize and redirect a large gully that had incised to a depth of 8 feet in places. CSPRCS staff considered the gully a hazard to the public. Access to the area was closed by installing several sections of post and dowel fencing in order to keep users away from the gully. RMFI also restored several hundred feet of social trail at this site. It was determined that the deliberate direction of drainage from the Lion Trail, above the gully, could not be re-directed away from this gully network without significant engineering, making near- term stabilization very important. The large gully had braided and RMFI recommended redirecting flow to an inactive, but more resilient branch, and deconstructing the other branch. Work proceeded at this site utilizing a variety of stabilization techniques. At the top of the gully, a severe head-cut was stabilized by constructing a combination timber and rock step-fall (Figure 15). RMFI then installed a series of rock check-dams at points along the gully and in small drainages, which were draining into the larger gully. From the top of the gully and through the middle section, a series of 10 rock check-dams were built, along with a large rock wall which would ensure water flows remained in the more resilient branch of the braided gully network (Figure 16).

Figure 14. Entrance to 3C before (left) and after (right) following application of closure and restoration techniques.


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Near the bottom section of the gully, RMFI redirected drainage again (Figure 17), favoring the more resilient branch of the gully. This was accomplished with low rock walls, utilizing rock and abundant concrete slab pieces sourced on-site, and armoring several sections of the gully wall that bordered the old landfill to further harden this section (Figure 18).RMFI also restored social trails and closed this site from public access using a combination of post and dowel fencing and CSPRCS-supplied signs for deterrence. RMFI restored a total of 1,059 linear feet of social trail and installed a total of 110 feet of fencing at Site 3A.

Figure 16. Large rock wall redirect before (left) and after (right), constructed to redirect flows to the more resilient branch of the network.

Figure 15. Before (left) and after (right) photos of work done at the “top” of the gully system. A large head-cut treatment is shown in upper center of photo, with a stabilizing rock wall addressing drainage entering the upper left of the gulley and the first of many in a series of rock check-dams shown in the bottom of the photo.


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2016 WORK ACCOMPLISHMENTS RMFI and its volunteers accomplished a significant amount of stewardship work on TOPS properties in 101 workdays in 2016, its first year in the Open Space Stewardship Program. Highlights include the closure and restoration of 12,904 linear feet of social trails (2.4 miles), installation of 416 linear feet of fencing, construction of 87 erosion control structures (including rock check-dams and drop structures), construction of 501 square feet of retaining wall, construction of 1,678 feet of new trail, and the improvement of 4,447 linear feet of existing trail. All work was done in coordination with the CSPRCS staff who provided trail and restoration materials, and were always available for clarification on the parks’ master plans as well as park priorities and management goals. Stratton Open Space:

• 3,367 linear feet of designated trail improved. • 1,669 linear feet of social trails closed and restored including 492 transplants. • 272 square feet of off-trail impacted area restored. • 2 grade dips installed. • 14 other drainage structures built and 19 more maintained. • 15 log sills built. • 2 timber drop structures built. • 2 timber riser steps built. • 492 native vegetation transplants. • 136 linear feet of fencing installed to enforce closures.

Blodgett Peak Open Space:

• 250 linear feet of social trails closed and restored including 96 transplants. • 6 rock check-dams built. • 955 linear feet of trail improved to include the restructuring of 1 switchback and the

installation of 1 new grade dip. • 8 drainage structures built.

Figure 13 (Left) and 14 (Right). Drainage redirect and armoring (after) favoring more resilient branch of gully.


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Ute Valley Park Open Space: • 2,847 linear feet of social trails closed and restored including 666 transplants. • 1,870 square feet of off-trail impacted area restored. • 13 rock check-dams built. • 22 log sills installed. • 4 rock step falls constructed. • 396 square feet of retaining wall constructed. • 1,678 linear feet of new trail constructed (ongoing) • 125 linear feet of trail improved (Ridge Trail finishing class)

Red Rock Canyon Open Space:

• 8,138 linear feet of social trails closed and restored including 376 transplants. • 642 linear feet (approximately) of gully stabilized. • 25 erosion control structures, including rock check-dams and log sills) built. • 105 square feet of retaining wall constructed. • 280 linear feet of fencing installed to enforce closures.

2016 VOLUNTEER STATISTICS

• Volunteer workdays: 25 • Number of volunteers engaged: 291 • Total volunteer hours: 1,269 • Value of volunteer time: $29,897.64 ($23.56/hour via independentsector.com)

Volunteer Organizations Engaged:

1. Atlas Prep School 2. Challenger Middle School 3. Colorado Springs Early Colleges 4. Colorado Springs School – 8th Grade 5. Colorado Springs School – Upper Class 6. Colorado Springs Utilities 7. Fountain Valley School 8. Griffith Centers for Children 9. Johnson & Johnson 10. Keysight Technologies 11. Latter Day Saints Church 12. Liberty High School 13. TRACKS 14. T. Rowe Price 15. United States Air Force Academy 16. Xingfu Schoolhouse 17. Zebulon Pike Youth Services Center


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FUTURE WORK In early December 2016, RMFI and CSPRCS staff met to review Open Space Stewardship Program work over the course of the 2016 work season and to identify objectives for the 2017 season. This discussion was informed by results of a post-work monitoring visit to each of the properties. Specific areas noted during this discussion included the continuation of the Eastern Loop Trail construction in Ute Valley Park Open Space and continued closure and restoration of social trails at the 5 priority open space properties prioritized in 2016. RMFI and CSPRCS staff also discussed ways to engage open space users to reduce user resistance to closure work, to increase public awareness of the work that RMFI and the City are doing to improve these open spaces, and to increase collaboration between City TOPS personnel and the RMFI TOPS crew.

CONTACT INFORMATION Joe Lavorini RMFI Program Director [email protected] 719-471-7736


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Work Location

Number Description

1 Portion of drainage requiring installation of two additional timber drop structures.

B, D, E, G Social trail networks requiring full 5-step closure and restoration. 7/8 Long, severely gullied social trail requiring stabilization and

closure. 9 Goldcamp Path requiring improvement and maintenance

throughout.

APPENDIX A. 2016 Stratton Open Space Work Sites


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Work Location Number

Description

A Area requiring extensive water diversion and stabilization near and on Peregrine Trail

B Social trail requiring full 5-step closure and restoration, and repair/improvement of Douglas-Fir Trail.

APPENDIX B. 2016 Blodgett Peak Open Space Work Sites


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Description

1 ‘Spider web’ of social trails requiring full 5-step closure and restoration.

2 Social mountain bike trail requiring full 5-step closure and restoration.

3/4 Locations of wide-spread erosion requiring several head-cut treatments, check dams, and social mountain bike trail closure.

5 Area abutting private property requiring full 5-step closure and restoration.

New trailhead connector

Connector trail from new trailhead/parking lot.

Eastern Loop Connector

New trail build connecting existing Eastern Loop Trail.

APPENDIX C. 2016 Ute Valley Open Space Work Sites


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APPENDIX D1. 2016 Red Rock Canyon Open Space Work Sites (Critter)


Description

Critter 5,007 linear foot social trail requiring full 5-step closure and restoration, and deconstruction of user-placed structures.


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APPENDIX D2. 2016 Red Rock Canyon Open Space Work Sites (3B & 3C)


Description

3B & 3C Closure and restoration of a well-established social trail, and its braided off-shoots, requiring full 5-step closure and restoration.


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APPENDIX D3. 2016 Red Rock Canyon Open Space Work Sites (3A)


Description

3A Stabilize and redirect a large gully. Close off access to the area. Restore social trails using full 5-step closure and restoration.

Rocky Mountain Field Institute · In 2016, the Rocky Mountain Field Institute (RMFI) completed its...

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