Updates from the 2026 CMC Member-Led Trail Crew

As this is written on August 30, 2026, the summer stewardship season is entering its final weeks. Members may not know that Colorado Mountain Club has a special obligation to give back to the land and trails considering that our Club is one of the single largest users of the mountain environment for recreation. 

At the statewide level, led by Conservation Director Brian Bergeler and Stewardship Manager Joey Lancia, the paid seasonal staff has accomplished a lot. Our seasonals have worked in ongoing projects on the Routt/Medicine Bow and Gunnison National Forests. Work has also occurred in the Brainard Lake area, assisted by Boulder Conservation Committee Chair Lena Gerber and members of the Boulder Group. 

Trail crews led by Denver leaders Steve Bonowski and Jim Mills have worked out of the Golden office. Denver Group is in its fourth season of working on the USFS Trail #600 that begins on Guanella Pass. Informally known as the Squaretop Lakes Trail, #600 is a heavily used and heavily impacted beginner trail that also offers access to the high peak of the same name.  

#600 has had four Saturdays of work in July and August. Two more workdays remain on September Thursdays, the 17th and the 24th. Openings are available for both trips. Signups are available on the Club website under Steve’s name.  

To share what we’re working on, here’s a before and after view of a problem area on Trail #600 about one mile from the trailhead. This work began on our 4th Saturday, August 22. 

^Before

Our work on September 17 will focus on placement of five 4” x 4” wooden steps to help harden the short portion of user created trail on the left in photo #192 that will become part of the official trail. The steps have been pre-positioned on site.  

CMC provides all tools and work gloves. We also have helmets available. A short demonstration on how to carry tools safely will be given before leaving the trailhead. Additional pointers on tool usage will be provided at the work site. Departure place and time will be sent to participants a few days in advance of each workday. 

Want to get involved? Our upcoming workdays are September 17 and September 24.  

Photos © by Steve Bonowski