Volunteers (left to right) Michael Kao, Will Spaller, Miranda Mix, Coleman Walsh, Gabe Gonzales, Sofie Pedemonti, Ally Pyne, Graham O’Connor, Brad Ward and Tamir Oveyda spent Oct. 11, 12 and 15 on the Hidden Valley Trail with Grand County Trail Mix learning about sustainable trail-building techniques. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) classifies the Hidden Valley Trail as “strenuous” due to the rough trail and a gain of hundreds of feet in elevation. The volunteers were with the High Mountain Institute based in Leadville, Colorado, a nonprofit that serves as an academic school and a wilderness programs provider. “We love hosting eager volunteer groups and teaching then about sustainable trail building techniques that help preserve the places we love to retreat to,” said Maddie Logowitz, program coordinator at Grand County Trail Mix. [Photo courtesy of Grand County Trail Mix]
