A “typical” term with ACE South West varies from corps member to corps member but on average when members come in; they spend three to six months getting sent to a variety of projects and locations. For the last six months, however, ACE had one crew working on a project in Boulder, Colorado from start to finish.
The project took place on the Mount Sanitas Trail in partnership with the City of Boulder’s Open Space and Mountain Parks. The crew was led by ACE Crew Leader, Kaitlin Egan and ACE Project Manager, David Vayhinger. Located within the city of Boulder, the trail is just a half mile west of 4th Street on Mapleton Avenue. Mount Sanitas Trail is a moderate to difficult, heavily trafficked trail which offers beautiful views as well as access to several bouldering areas.
From March until August of 2019 the crew worked on general trail maintenance but more significantly, they built an expansive rock staircase which totaled in 39 rock steps being installed. The crew also put in a 228 square foot retaining wall. Grip hoists, rock bars, and drills allowed the crew to move, shape and position the rocks into these formations. This rockwork project has been a considerable undertaking for the ACE crew and staff who worked and lived side by side for the duration of the project.
ACE is thankful to have worked with the City of Boulder on this project and hope to continue to have our corps members learn and grow alongside the Open Space and Mountain Parks staff.