Volunteers needed to complete trail honoring public land steward Pete Larson

GRAND JUNCTION, CO—Volunteers working with the Bureau of Land Management will finish what was started last September on Saturday and Sunday, March 11-12, 2006. Construction on the Pet-e-Kes Trail, named for the late Pete Larson and his beloved dog “Kes,” began on National Public Lands Day last fall in the Lunch Loop area of the Tabeguache Trail. A dedication ceremony and installation of a memorial plaque is being planned for Sunday afternoon.

“The lower ½-mile section of this trail has been completed and opened several months ago, offering an option to those with intermediate-level riding skills in an area that currently contains mostly advanced-level trails,” Park Ranger Chris Pipkin said. “BLM needs the help of about 60 volunteers in completing the final ¾-mile segment of this new hiking and mountain biking trail, so that others can enjoy what was one of Pete’s favorite areas to run and bike.”

Larson was a retired high school science teacher who worked seasonally for both the BLM and the National Park Service. He died in August 2004 while on the job for the BLM. He was an avid trail runner and mountain biker who often used public lands trails.

Volunteers will be assigned to a crew with a trained crew leader, and each crew will work on an assigned section of trail. Volunteers have the option of working either Saturday or Sunday, or both days. Crews will meet at the Tabeguache Trailhead on Monument Road starting at 9:00 a.m. each day. Join family, friends, co-workers, former students and other public lands users for a fun day of both trail and community building. Not all the work will be heavy labor or swinging tools—we’ll need support help for organizing work crews, and providing food and refreshments. Get more details and register by March 7 for this project at http://www.voutdoors.org. (Click on "Find Volunteer Opportunities," select “Bureau of Land Management-Grand Junction Field Office” as the agency.) Volunteers should dress in layers, bring work boots and gloves, a sack lunch, plenty of water, a hat and sunscreen. For more information, contact Park Ranger Chris Pipkin at 970-244-3024.

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