Large volunteer project to construct loop trail

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo.—Nearly 100 volunteers are expected to begin constructing a two-mile loop extension of the Rabbit’s Ear Trail located near Rabbit Valley on September 30-October 1, 2006. The project is being coordinated by the Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC) and the Bureau of Land Management Grand Junction Field Office and McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area (NCA) to mark the 13th annual National Public Lands Day—the largest annual coast-to-coast volunteer restoration effort for America’s public lands. Project support is being provided by Williams, an energy production company.

The Rabbit’s Ear Trail, which dead-ends at a spectacular overlook of the Colorado River and Utah’s Manti La Sal Mountains, was marked for expansion into a loop in the Resource Management Plan recently completed for the McInnis Canyons NCA. The McInnis Canyons NCA is managed under BLM’s National Landscape Conservation System (NLCS). The NLCS is composed of special public lands, many of which have received special recognition and protection through congressional or presidential conservation designations.

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Editor’s Note: The project work site is approximately 1 mile from the trailhead. It is a 45-minute drive to the trailhead from Grand Junction. If you go, travel west on I-70 to the Rabbit Valley exit (#2), turn left over the overpass & go south ¼ mile. Turn left & travel along the frontage road 4.4 miles to the Rabbit’s Ear Trailhead on your right. Crews will leave the trailhead at 7:45 a.m. on 9/30-10/1 to hike in. If you plan to hike in, dress in layers and wear appropriate footwear. Bring drinking water and snacks for energy.

As an option, interviews with volunteers may also be obtained at the Colorado River State Park in Fruita at the group campsite at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, 9/30. Call Mel Lloyd to obtain POC names & confirm your coverage plans by COB 9/28 or sooner if possible.