Marvine Creek Trail BCM Course Area Guide Base Camp Colorado Rocky Mountain School Base Camp BCM Denver Office
Table of Contents Letter from the Regional Program Manager... 3 General Information... 5 Trailhead Directions from Basecamp... 6 Directions or Transportation... 6 Maps... 6 Rest Area Recommendations... 6 Travel Tips... 7 Base Camp Directions from Home... 7 Directions... 7 Rest Area Recommendations... 7 Travel Tips... 7 Getting Home... 7 Getting Acquainted with Base Camp... 8 About Laramie KOA Campground... 8 Upon Arrival... 8 Parking... 8 Finding the Campsite... 8 Sleeping Arrangements at Base Camp... 8 Water Source... 8 Cooking and Dishes... 8 Gathering Locations... 8 How to Handle Garbage... 8 Base Camp and Trip Guidelines... 9 Post-Trip Responsibilities... 10 Cleaning Gear... 10 Laundry... 10 Showers... 10 Celebration Dinner... 10 Before Leaving Base Camp... 10 Team Leader Paperwork... 10 Daily Outline... 11 Curriculum Checklist... 12 Emergency Information... 13 BCM Phone Numbers... 13 2
Letter from the Regional Program Manager Welcome to Big City Mountaineers, I cannot begin to tell you how excited I am for you to be part of our team this summer. I have high hopes that you will not only be making a difference in the lives of the teens on your trip, but that you will also have an amazing personal experience. This Base Camp Course Area Guide will explain travel details, information about staying at the Carbondale base camp, and resources both in town and on the way. You have several responsibilities prior to your expedition. You need to read the BCM handbook in order to understand BCM policies, philosophy, and goals. In addition, you are expected to go to a training session (if you have not received BCM training in recent years) and to arrange a phone conference with the adults on your team (see checklist). Teens and volunteers will be participating in GO Days (Pre-trip activities) leading up to their expedition; if you are local we would like you to participate on these outings as well. Finally, you will meet with me at the BCM Denver Office the day before your trip to review adult and teen member applications and medical forms, discuss the trip, trail, and policies, issue gear, organize curriculum, and review the trip menu. All of these duties are listed in the Pre-Trip Checklist located in section 2 of your team leader trip binder. On the day of your expedition the teens and volunteers will meet you at the BCM Denver Office in the morning, where the teens will be issued individual gear, and we will load all your group gear into your vans. You will then travel with your team members to the base camp or trailhead, and prepare for the trail. Remember, your journey starts in Denver and the drive is an important time for you to begin to build relationships. On Days 2-5 you will be in the backcountry. (Please refer to the Backcountry Course Area Guide in section 1 of the trip binder for details about the trail.) On Day 6, you will hike out and stay at the CRMS base camp for the night, completing evaluations and surveys, cleaning gear, enjoying a celebration dinner, and presenting awards. For a more detailed account of the trip, refer to the Daily Outline (see Table of Contents) and the Backcountry Course Area Guide. There are a few things you should know about the Colorado Rocky Mountain School Base Camp. BCM has set up two wall tents and a tarp/sun shelter to serve as the base camp at CRMS. This tent area is next to Crystal River, across from the main CRMS campus area. This tent area is dry, dusty, and often very hot before sunset. I suggest that you minimize your time at the CRMS tent area by using alternate gathering locations in the area or spending a long time at nice rest areas and lunch spots on the way to CRMS. Consider taking a short day hike near Vail or Glenwood Springs. Here are some suggestions of day hikes on the way to CRMS. As of August, 2009 these trails have not been scouted by BCM. See the Table of Contents for information about rest areas, lunch spots, and gathering locations near CRMS 1. VAIL EXIT 180- BIGHORN CREEK TRAIL to OVERLOOK- 4 mi. round-trip The Bighorn Creek trail is less steep than the other East Vail trails. It is generally a fairly easy walk. The first 1/2 mile of the trail climbs steeply out of the Vail Valley, then more gradually climbs up through stands of aspen and pine. The trail passes beaver ponds and remains of old mining camps as well as' Bighorn Falls. Near mile 2, the views of Vail and Bighorn drainage are exceptional. Just before mile 2 and past a large fern grove, there is a side trail to an overlook down the steep drop to Bighorn Creek. This point makes a 3
good destination for short hikes. The trail ends at an old homestead cabin (unlocked) where you can view the Grand Traverse (3.6 miles one-way). Take East Vail Exit 180 and turn to the right. Proceed on the south frontage road for 1 mile to Columbine Drive, turn left. Continue to the end of the pavement; the road passes under the interstate through a narrow passage. There is limited parking at the end of the road. 2. VAIL EXIT 180- BOOTH CREEK TRAIL to BOOTH CREEK FALLS- 4 mi. round-trip This is one of the most popular hiking trails on the district. The falls are a popular destination for short hikes. The trail climbs steeply from the trailhead through aspen groves for the first mile. Then, the trail climbs more gradually following along Booth Creek. At mile 2, the trail passes 60 foot Booth Creek Falls. The trail ends at Booth Lake (6 miles one-way), which offers good fishing and even has an island. Take East Vail Exit 180 and turn left, pass under the interstate and turn left onto the north frontage road. Proceed about 1 mile to Booth Creek Road, turn right. Continue up this road to the end. There is a large parking area at the end of the road. 3. MINITURN EXIT 171- CROSS CREEK TRAIL- 2 to 4 mi. round-trip The trail begins following a ridge and then drops-down to Cross Creek. There is a bridge crossing at mile 1 in a meadow that is usually filled with wild-flowers. This makes a nice destination point for a short day hike. Or, continue a little further and there is a pond surrounded by rocks that offers a good lunch spot. Around mile 2, Mount of the Holy Cross is visible from the trail; on the eastern face of the mountain there is a permanent snow field that is in the shape of a cross. Take Minturn Exit 171 and turn right onto Hwy 24. Continue down Hwy 24 for 4 miles, passing through Minturn, to Tigiwon,Rd # 707. Turn right onto Tigiwon Rd and continue 2 miles to the trailhead. 4. GLENWOOD CANYON EXIT 125- HANGING LAKE TRAIL- 2.4 mi. round-trip Take Exit 125. The trailhead is well marked. Climb to stunning waterfalls that descend into a limestone lake teeming with trout. Five minutes beyond the lake is Spouting Rock, which is not to be missed. The hike takes about an hour and a half, round-trip. 5. GLENWOOD SPRINGS EXIT 116- JEANNE GOLAY TRAIL- 2 mi. round-trip. From Exit 116, take 7th Street west, left on Midland Avenue and right on 9th Street until it dead-ends at the trailhead. This is a tough trail that meanders up steep Red Mountain to the summit. The views of the valley floor, the Colorado and Roaring Fork Rivers and Mount Sopris make the climb worth the effort. You will need 1 to 2 hours, round-trip. Good luck this summer, be safe, and have fun! Your Regional Program Manager 4
General Information BCM Headquarters 1667 Vine St. Denver, CO 80206 303.271.9200 www.bigcitymountainers.org Regional Office 1667 Vine St. Denver, CO 80206 303.271.9200 Base Camp Colorado Rocky Mountain School 1493 County Rd 106 Carbondale, CO 81623 970.963.2562 Gear Pick Up: Pick up gear at the Denver Regional Office the day before the trip and Day 1 of your trip. Permit Pick Up: BCM special use and wilderness permits are provided in the team leader trip binder. Make sure you have copies--they are available at the Denver Office. Refer to the trip binder (section 1) for permit instructions. The Backcountry Course Area Guide lists wilderness permits if they are needed. Grocery Store: City Market 1051 Highway 133 Carbondale, CO 81623 970.963.3255 Less than 1 mile from base camp, across the river, includes pharmacy Pharmacy: City Market 1051 Highway 133 Carbondale, CO 81623 (970) 963-5727 General Store: Kmart 51027 Highway 6 Glenwood Springs, CO 970.945.2357 Kmart Hours: (08/30/2009) Mon-Fri: 8:00 am - 9:00 pm Sat: 8:00 am - 9:00 pm Sun: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm Camping Gear: Bristlecone Mtn. Sports 123 Emma Rd. #104 Basalt, CO 970.927.1492 Army & Factory Surplus 2828 S Glen Ave Glenwood Springs, CO 970.945.7796 Ute Mountaineer in Aspen, CO 970.925.2849 None of these camping gear stores have been scouted. Laundromat: Sopris Laundry Mat 906 Highway 133, Carbondale, CO 81623 970.963.3050 Celebration Dinner: Gas Stations: White House Pizza 801 Main Ct. Carbondale, CO 81623 970.704.9400 7-Eleven 1329 Main St, Carbondale, CO 970.963.0423 Main St & CO-133 T Bar Oil & Gas 501 Elk Ave # B Crested Butte, CO 970.349.5883 N. on 5th from Whiterock White House is the recommended location for the celebration dinner. The dinner location is at the discretion of the adult team. From WW: 7-Eleven is on the corner of Main St and CO-133. From trailhead, Crested Butte has closest gas station. Kebler Pass Rd turns Whiterock Ave. 5
Trailhead Directions from Home If going to Base Camp for the first night, refer to the next set of driving directions. Directions or Transportation Start: 1667 Vine St., Denver, CO Head north on Vine St toward E 17th Ave (0.4 miles) Turn right at E 21st Ave (0.1 miles) Take the 2nd left onto York St (1.7 miles) Turn right at E 40th Ave, jogging over to Josephine St. (338 ft) Take the 1st left onto Josephine St (0.5 miles) Turn left at Steavenson Pl immediately after overpass (315 ft) Take the ramp onto I-70 W toward Grand Junction (160 miles) Take exit 90 for CO-13 toward Meeker/Rifle (0.3 mile) Turn right at CO-13/S Railroad Ave/Taughenbaugh Blvd (signs for Meeker/CO-13/Rifle) and continue to follow CO-13/S Railroad Ave (1.7 mile) Slight right at CO-13/Railroad Ave and continue to follow CO-13 (42.1 miles) Turn right at County Hwy-8/County Rd-8 (26.6 miles) Slight right at County Rd-12 (1.4 miles) Turn left to stay on County Rd-12 (5.5 miles) Destination will be on the left End: Marvine Creek Campground Estimated Time: 5 hours 13 mins Estimated Distance: 266 miles Maps Road Map Rest Area Recommendations 1.The first lunch spot after leaving Denver is at Exit 228. There is a playground/park with picnic tables and a gazebo at the corner of 10th and Taos in Georgetown. Take Exit 228: Turn left at 15th Take 1st right at Argentine St. Then 1st left onto 11th St. Second right at Taos St. Right at 10th Left at Rose. 2. Lunch at Vail City Park: Take the last of three Vail exits, in west Vail (Exit 173?) Drive under highway, then head west with the highway. The city park has a shelter, trees, stream, restrooms, and potable water. 3. The Hanging Lake Rest Area at Glenwood Springs (Exit 119 on I-70 W) has a pretty picnic area near the river, and the trailhead for Hanging Lake Trail is here. 4. There is a City Park in Rifle, CO, on CO-13 between 6th St. and 7th St. It has a Gazebo with benchs and lots of shade, but seemly no restrooms. 6
Travel Tips No information is available. Feedback would be great. Base Camp Directions from Trailhead Directions Start: Marvine Creek Campground, Meeker, Colorado 81641 Head north (85 ft) Continue straight onto Co Rd 12 (About 17 mins, 6.9 miles) Slight left at Co Rd 8 (About 47 mins, 26.6 miles) Turn left at CO-13 S/CO-789 S/E Market St Continue to follow CO-13 S (About 1 hour 9 mins, 43.9 miles) Turn left to merge onto I-70 E toward Denver (About 25 mins, 25.7 miles) Take exit 116 for CO-82 E toward Glenwood Springs/Aspen (0.2 miles) Turn left at CO-82 E (About 1 min, 0.2 miles) Take the 2nd right onto CO-82 E/Grand Ave Continue to follow CO-82 E (About 18 mins, 11.6 miles) Turn right at CO-133 S (About 2 mins, 1.0 miles) Turn right at Main St (About 1 min, 0.3 miles) Continue onto Co Rd 106 (About 1 min) End: 1493 County Road 106, Carbondale, CO 81623 Estimated Time: 3 hours 1 min Estimated Distance: 117 miles Rest Area Recommendations 1.There is a City Park in Rifle, CO, on CO-13 between 6th St. and 7th St. It has a Gazebo with benchs and lots of shade, but seemly no restrooms. 2. The Hanging Lake Rest Area at Glenwood Springs (Exit 118 on I-70 E) has a pretty picnic area near the river, and the trailhead for Hanging Lake Trail is here. Travel Tips No information is available. Feedback would be great. Getting Home From Carbondale, turn left onto CO-82 to I-70 in Glenwood Springs. Head east on I-70. Take exit 275C for York St toward Josephine St (0.1 miles) Slight right at fork on the ramp onto York St (2.4 miles) Turn right at E 18th Ave (0.1 miles) Take the 2nd left onto Vine St Estimated Distance: 176 miles, Estimated Time: 3 hours 2 mins 7
Getting Acquainted with Base Camp About Colorado Rocky Mountain School CRMS is dusty and often very hot until sunset. Minimize your time at the CRMS tent area by using alternate gathering locations in the area or spending a long time at nice rest areas and lunch spots on the way to CRMS. Consider taking a short day hike near Vail or Glenwood Springs. The phone number for CRMS is 970.963.2562. Upon Arrival No information is available. Feedback would be great. Parking There is a round-about at the tent area where you can park. Finding the Campsite To reach the tent area, turn left from County Road 106 onto the private drive of Jim Gaw. You will see Jim Gaw s mailbox at the entrance. Once on this private drive, veer left along this dirt road that takes you to the tent area. Sleeping Arrangements at Base Camp Teens and adults may share a wall tent, though it is advisable to create informal separations like adults on one side and teens on the other side for the benefit and comfort of both teens and adults. If two groups of the same sex are sharing base camp, the groups may choose to have an adults tent and a kids tent, or they may just keep to themselves. If groups are of opposite sex, then groups should keep to themselves, staying in separate in wall tents. Water Source Fill the water jugs at the CRMS campus at the ceramics building where hoses are available and possibly at the gym (if there are hoses). Cooking and Dishes Use the gas grills (provided at tent area) for cooking. Wash dishes in the kitchen using the Hobart Dishwasher (if the kitchen staff is amicable to BCM presence). Otherwise there is a hose available on the front of the Forge/ Ceramics Building, where you can wash dishes in the buckets provided by BCM at the tent site Gathering Locations You can use the Gym for pack packing and unpacking. If the weather is nice, groups have sat in grassy areas on the campus under the trees. Groups have also used Carbondale city parks. How to Handle Garbage No information is available. Feedback would be great. 8
Base Camp and Trip Guidelines 1. Wear sunscreen. 2. Wear close-toed shoes around camp. (See hazards below.) 3. Watch out for cacti, tent stakes, and possibly rattlesnakes. 4. Keep all food, drink and snack items in the vehicle or cooler. Do not put food in tents. 5. Do not feed wildlife. 6. Securing the screen door tent flap inside the tent each time you enter or depart will help reduce the number of bugs that come into the tent. 7. Please don t smash mosquitoes or other bugs against the tent wall. 8. Be aware that you may be sharing base camp with another BCM team. If this is the case, please be respectful of their group No Practical Jokes! Coordinate with the other team leader for showers, dishes, and dinner reservations for the celebration dinner. 9. Keep tents DEET-Free. Check types of bug repellent brought by team members. DEET will deteriorate tent material. Please keep the following in mind if using it: Apply repellent to the back of your hands for applying to other parts of your body. This will keep the DEET off the palm of your hands and thus off the tents and gear. 10. Also, please apply DEET only when you are outside and away from the tents. 11. Use the gas grills for cooking. 12. Please don t use candles, stoves, or open flames in the tents. 13. Wash dishes in the kitchen using the Hobart Dishwasher (if the kitchen staff is amicable to BCM presence). Otherwise there is a hose available on the front of the Forge/ Ceramics Building, where you can wash dishes in the buckets provided by BCM at the tent site. 14. Swimming and dipping are not allowed in moving water. In still water dipping is allowed under close adult supervision. Closed toed shoes must be worn. 15. Make sure the tent area is bombproof when you leave for the trailhead and for home. Shake out the tent ground tarps when leaving for home. Make sure everything is put back in the tents in an orderly fashion. Make sure all the trash is removed, no food is left behind, and the tents are fully zipped. Remember that another group will be coming so please leave things tidy, the way you would want to find camp. Thank you for your cooperation!!! 9
Post-Trip Responsibilities Cleaning Gear Clean gear at the CRMS campus, but not at the campsite itself, because the area is too dusty. There are hoses in the front of the ceramics building near CRMS Barn. (See CRMS Campus Map.) Please refer to the Backpacking Trip Gear Cleaning Instructions in section 2 of the team leader trip binder. Laundry There should be a bag of dirty towels in one of the tents at the base camp. Wash these towels prior to taking showers, and return these towels, dirty, after showering for the next group to clean and use. Towels Fleece: tops, pants (if used) and hats Long Underwear Sleeping bags (using a small amount of soap) Showers Showers and Bathrooms are available in the gym. (See CRMS Campus Map.) Celebration Dinner White House Pizza is a great location for a celebration dinner. Pizza is yummy and the building is welcoming. Gluten free and vegetarian options are available. The dinner location is at the discretion of the adults. Before Leaving Base Camp Make sure everything is stored in the wall tents in an organized manner. Shake out the tent ground tarps when leaving for home. Make sure everything is put back in the tents in an orderly fashion. Make sure all the trash is removed, no food is left behind, and the tents are fully zipped. Remember that another group will be coming so please leave things tidy, the way you would want to find camp. Team Leader Paperwork Refer to the Paperwork Checklist in section 2 of the trip binder. 10
Daily Outline Recommendations Expedition Preparation and Planning Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Marvin Creek Camp IN THE FIELD CRMS HOME Meet at BCM Office Issue Individual Gear Pre-trip teen surveys Duffle Shuffle Issue BCM Group Gear Camp at Marvine Creek Campground Enter from Marvine Trailhead. Camp at Marvine Lakes, after the first lake. Camp on the Flat Tops near Marvine drainage. Need to start summit hike early to avoid early afternoon storms that impede summiting. Dayhike to peak, if traveling out-and-back. Camp at lake below Marvine Peak, near Big Marvine Peak Trail, if doing loop. Camp at Rainbow Lake, on the east side. The lake is not marked with a a trail sign. Johnson Lake is also a good choice. You have time to summit in the morning, if needed. Hike Out this morning Clean gear Laundry Showers Pick Up Breakfast for Day 7 Evaluations & Surveys (D/A Profile) Celebration Dinner Call office with ETA Coordinate with Youth Leader for how to get teens home. Team Leader debrief with RPM (volunteers welcome, but not required to join.) 11
Curriculum Checklist Day 1 Welcome Introductions & Ice Breakers Expectations Policies 7-Day Overview Day 2 Trust Activity Policies Review Daily Activities Quote of the Day Reflection Roundtable Journaling Lessons Lost & Alone Camp Craft 101 LNT Group Travel Food Waste Disposal Campsite Selection Health & Hygiene 201 Cat-Holes Pack Packing Food Protection Water Treatment Lightning Safety Outcomes Set expectations, roles & responsibilities. Establish structure & daily routine. Build Trust. Establish common understanding of trip purpose. Reflect on physical and emotional stresses. Understand one is capable of overcoming & learning from challenges. Work as a team to overcome challenges. Support and encourage each other to overcome challenges. Peak hike: overcome challenges, reflect, and learn from experiences. Celebrate achievement. Create Meaning: How did we overcome challenges? Create Meaning: What are our strengths and weaknesses? Create Meaning: How do we transfer what we have learned home? Setting individual goals for the future. Record learning and achievement in something tactile that teens can take home with them as a reminder of their experience. 12
Emergency Information Location Base Camp Backcountry (On-Trail) Hospital Valley View Hospital 1906 Blake Ave Glenwood Springs, CO 970-945-6535 Pioneers Medical Center 345 Cleveland Meeker, CO 81614 970.878.5047 911 Services? Yes Yes Local Contact Cell Phone Coverage? Pitkin County Sheriff 970.920.5310 Yes Blanco Ranger District 317 E Market St Meeker, CO 81641 970.878.4039 BCM Phone Numbers Emergency Phone Number 800.208.2483 If an emergency arises on trip that needs immediate assistance, call the emergency number first to reach a BCM staff member. If you do not receive a return call within 20 minutes, refer to the emergency contact sheet you received at the beginning of your trip or directly reach out to BCM staff. Regional BCM office numbers are listed below. Denver Office 303.271.9200 Chicago Office 847.636.0422 (cell) Pacific NW Office San Francisco Office 310.871.7557 (cell) 510.457.5743 (cell) Cell Coverage: No information is available. Feedback is great! Emergency Exits: No information is available. Feedback is great! 13