BLM to host Public Lands Day volunteer project at Irish Canyon

Craig, CO. -- The Bureau of Land Management’s Little Snake Field Office is hosting a volunteer project at Irish Canyon Saturday to develop a new rock art trail in celebration of National Public Lands Day and the 100-year Anniversary of the Antiquities Act. Irish Canyon is about 45 miles northwest of Maybell, Colo.

Project: New Irish Canyon Rock Art Trail

Date and time: 8 a.m.-5p.m. Sat. Sept. 16

Location: Meet at BLM office in Craig at 8 a.m. for carpool to the Irish Canyon or join us there at 10 a.m. To get to the Irish Canyon Rock Art Site from Maybell, Colo., take Colorado Highway 318 North for 41 miles to Moffat County Road 10 North, and then go 4.5 miles to the entrance to Irish Canyon.

BLM Contacts: Jim McBrayer (970-826-5083) and Rob Schmitzer (970-826-5094)

Project Details: Volunteers will develop a 4-foot wide by 1,000-foot long loop trail to provide an access route to the rock art (petroglyph) panel located on the side of a large, isolated boulder. The trail will start on the west side of the road across from the existing Irish Canyon rock art site. The trail will be cleared of brush and weeds by volunteers and staff with hand tools. The trail will be marked with carsonite posts at 100-foot intervals. A 3-foot high post and pole fence will be installed around the rock art boulder at the end of the trail. A wooden or steel post information/interpretive sign will be installed. If time and volunteer numbers allow, carsonite posts will be placed along the road going out to the Vermillion Canyon overlook.

Equipment: Volunteers should bring a hat, light jacket, sunglasses, sunscreen, gloves, lunch, and water bottle. Some snacks and water will be provided (as well as free NPLD t-shirts and coupons).

To volunteer, or for more information, please contact Jim McBrayer (970-826-5083) or Rob Schmitzer (970-826-5094) prior to the event.