Wilderness Information Specialists / Ghost Riders

Horsemen, hikers, backpackers, birdwatchers, artists & photographers can enjoy volunteering for Wilderness. Some volunteers ride the train and greet visitors arriving in Needle Creek. They provide trail information, wilderness education, and Leave No Trace ethics. Others horseback ride, hike or backpack trails in the Weminuche, Lizard Head or South San Juan Wilderness areas. All volunteers are goodwill ambassadors for Wilderness. Minimum requirement is 3 days per season and a willingness to learn. Volunteers are provided with a uniform and name tag. Horsemen must provide their own stock.

 

 

 

 

Chicago Basin Camp

Backpacking volunteers from outside the area can volunteer for a week in Chicago Basin, located in the Weminuche Wilderness, north of Durango. Volunteers will ride the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Train (D&SNG) and spend 5 days and 4 nights at the base camp in the Basin, talking with other visitors about Leave No Trace and other pertinent trail information. SJMA is offering an on-line training to volunteers who would like to come and enjoy the mountains and “give back” something in return. The D&SNG provides free tickets to the volunteers. Program begins in mid June and ends in late August. Limited opportunities are available.

Sample Itinerary
Day 1   Ride train from Durango to Needle Creek and hike to Chicago Basin.
Day 2   Hike throughout the basin and up to Columbine Pass.
Day 3   Patrol basin checking campsites.
Day 4   Hike up to Twin Lakes Basin.
Day 5   Hike back to Needle Creek and ride train back to Durango.

*Volunteers must be healthy enough to hike and back pack at high elevations. Minimum hiking distance to enter Chicago Basin is 6 miles and a 3000 ft. elevation gain.

Contact Kathe Hayes 385-1310 to find out about the training and how to apply.

The Wilderness Information Specialist's and Ghostrider's Handbook

Canyons of the Ancients National Monument
Trail Information Specialists (TIS)

Do you hike, bicycle or horseback ride in Sand Canyon? Here’s an opportunity for you to do it with a purpose. It’s easy and fun and a great way to meet and talk with folks with similar interests. And we will train you! This is a great volunteer opportunity for the winter and spring months!

SJMA (San Juan Mountains Association) and the BLM need volunteers to serve as Trail Information Specialists in Canyons of the Ancients National Monument (CANM). Training for those interested in being part of the program will take place on Saturday, November14 at the Anasazi
Heritage Center. At this training volunteers will learn: rules for the Monument, ethics when using the Monument, the natural and cultural resources in the Monument, and how to interact with the public. After the training, volunteers will be equipped to provide Monument information to the public in the Sand Canyon area. Trained individuals will be asked to volunteer at least 8 hours per quarter. Hikers, horsemen and bicyclists are encouraged to attend. To register (required)
contact Kathe Hayes or call (970) 385-1310

Winter Recreation Ambassadors

Volunteers provide information and monitoring at popular winter recreation sites throughout the winter .
Contact Kathe Hayes 385-1310