Horse Ranch Park/Oh-Be-Joyful Trail BCM Course Area Guide Base Camp
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Horse Ranch Park/Oh-Be-Joyful 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 ............................................................................................................................. 6 Base Camp Directions from Home ................................................ 6 Directions ............................................................................................................................... 6 Rest Area Recommendations ................................................................................................. 7 Travel Tips ............................................................................................................................. 7 Getting Home ......................................................................................................................... 8 Getting Acquainted with Base Camp ............................................. 9 About Laramie KOA Campground .......................................................................................... 9 Upon Arrival............................................................................................................................ 9 Parking ................................................................................................................................... 9 Finding the Campsite .............................................................................................................. 9 Sleeping Arrangements at Base Camp ................................................................................... 9 Water Source ......................................................................................................................... 9 Cooking and Dishes ............................................................................................................... 9 Gathering Locations ............................................................................................................... 9 How to Handle Garbage ......................................................................................................... 9 Base Camp and Trip Guidelines ................................................. 10 Post-Trip Responsibilities ............................................................ 11 Cleaning Gear ...................................................................................................................... 11 Laundry ................................................................................................................................ 11 Showers ............................................................................................................................... 11 Celebration Dinner................................................................................................................ 11 Before Leaving Base Camp .................................................................................................. 11 Team Leader Paperwork ...................................................................................................... 11 Daily Outline ................................................................................ 12 Curriculum Checklist ................................................................... 13 Emergency Information ............................................................... 14 BCM Phone Numbers ................................................................. 14 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