New Columbia trail by CFI... Incredible work...

[climbingcue]

I just wanted say a big THANK YOU to CFI. I did Columbia for the 1st time in 2016. Since then I have completed all the 14ers. Columbia was the only peak that I said I would NEVER do again. We figured we would give it a shot with the new trail. It is a million times better. With the new trail I will have no reservations about doing Columbia again in the future.

CFI ROCKS!!!

[Bccrhp]

Agreed. We did Harvard a few years back but chose to skip Columbia given its reputation. Having just done Columbia a few weeks ago, I'm glad we waited. Huge thanks to CFI!

[marshwy]

Is the trail completed? I am going to do Harvard and Columbia this week but I was torn between wanting to stick to the drainage in the dark and summit Harvard first, and following Roach's combo route up Columbia first to minimize damage. But if there is a good trail down to North Cottonwood from Columbia I am definitely going to hit Harvard first.

I do second the praise for CFI. Though I haven't been on Columbia yet their work elsewhere is amazing.

[TravelingMatt]

With the new trail I will have no reservations about doing Columbia again in the future.

Although if the crowds get much worse you might need one.

[Been_Jammin]

Is the trail completed? I am going to do Harvard and Columbia this week but I was torn between wanting to stick to the drainage in the dark and summit Harvard first, and following Roach's combo route up Columbia first to minimize damage. But if there is a good trail down to North Cottonwood from Columbia I am definitely going to hit Harvard first.

I do second the praise for CFI. Though I haven't been on Columbia yet their work elsewhere is amazing.

I was there yesterday. There are signs that the Columbia trail is still being worked on by CFI (some gear is cached up there). But it was essentially complete and i did not feel like i was damaging anything by descending. Trail is pretty bomber. Thanks CFI!

I thought the traverse made more sense Harvard -> Columbia

[two lunches]

Is the trail completed? I am going to do Harvard and Columbia this week but I was torn between wanting to stick to the drainage in the dark and summit Harvard first, and following Roach's combo route up Columbia first to minimize damage. But if there is a good trail down to North Cottonwood from Columbia I am definitely going to hit Harvard first.

I do second the praise for CFI. Though I haven't been on Columbia yet their work elsewhere is amazing.

it looked pretty well finished from my campsite in Horn Fork Basin last month- i could see an absolutely BEAUTIFUL switchback trail above treeline, just to hiker's right of the original death march up the west slope. CFI is amazing. after spending so much time on "lesser" peaks the last couple years it's now EXTREMELY OBVIOUS to me how much effort they put into 14ers trails. i was hoping to volunteer with them for the first time this summer... but i guess it will be 2021 instead!

[two lunches]

How does one go about volunteering?

they shut down all the trail construction projects this year due to COVID, but a great first step in finding out how to help is to sign up for their newsletter- you can find it in the footer of their webpage.

here is the link to their volunteer opportunities: https://www.14ers.org/how-you-can-help/volunteer/

usually bill provides a link on this site to donate to their annual fundraiser, as well, which is a great opportunity for those who either can't or don't want to physically do the work on trails, or for those who don't have the patience or time for peak stewardship (you have to commit to 4 days per season)

[dwoodward13]

I do second the praise for CFI. Though I haven't been on Columbia yet their work elsewhere is amazing.

i was hoping to volunteer with them for the first time this summer... but i guess it will be 2021 instead!

How does one go about volunteering?

CFI stopped direct volunteering, however other organizations still have volunteer opportunities that are in conjunction with CFI. Both Wildlands Restoration Volunteers (WRV) and Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC) have projects this year on 14ers. WRV has opportunities on Elbert and VOC is has opportunities on Pikes and Grays and Torreys. All of these projects basically you sign up with WRV or VOC, but CFI has a crew there directing the work at the project site.

I have personally volunteered with VOC on Elbert, Handies, and Grays and Torreys and could not recommend it enough. The work is extremely hard (way harder than hiking the peaks your project is on), but so rewarding and the people you will meet are great folks. Even if its not a 14er, I would encourage everyone to sign up for any volunteer trail work!

https://www.wlrv.org/
https://www.voc.org/

[Bccrhp]

Is the trail completed? I am going to do Harvard and Columbia this week but I was torn between wanting to stick to the drainage in the dark and summit Harvard first, and following Roach's combo route up Columbia first to minimize damage. But if there is a good trail down to North Cottonwood from Columbia I am definitely going to hit Harvard first.

I do second the praise for CFI. Though I haven't been on Columbia yet their work elsewhere is amazing.

The new trail does not go all the way up to the Columbia ridge. I think it stopped around 13000, so the beginning of the descent/top of the ascent still has a lot of loose dirt and some scree.

[bmcqueen]

The new trail does not go all the way up to the Columbia ridge. I think it stopped around 13000, so the beginning of the descent/top of the ascent still has a lot of loose dirt and some scree.

True statement. Several CFI board members were there yesterday checking out the new route. We are hopeful that the forest service will commission a future project to get it the rest of the way to the ridge. Certainly a big difference between the CFI-constructed portion and the upper slope just below the ridge.

[climbingcue]

Several CFI board members were there yesterday checking out the new route. We are hopeful that the forest service will commission a future project to get it the rest of the way to the ridge. Certainly a big difference between the CFI-constructed portion and the upper slope just below the ridge.

One of my climbing partners saw the CFI 4Runner in the 4wd lot after our hike. She went over and talk with her about the trail and told her how much we enjoyed the new trail. Then the CFI staff told her about the board members checking out the trail yesterday. Hope everything went well.

[Trotter]

i was hoping to volunteer with them for the first time this summer... but i guess it will be 2021 instead!

How does one go about volunteering?

CFI stopped direct volunteering, however other organizations still have volunteer opportunities that are in conjunction with CFI. Both Wildlands Restoration Volunteers (WRV) and Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC) have projects this year on 14ers. WRV has opportunities on Elbert and VOC is has opportunities on Pikes and Grays and Torreys. All of these projects basically you sign up with WRV or VOC, but CFI has a crew there directing the work at the project site.

I have personally volunteered with VOC on Elbert, Handies, and Grays and Torreys and could not recommend it enough. The work is extremely hard (way harder than hiking the peaks your project is on), but so rewarding and the people you will meet are great folks. Even if its not a 14er, I would encourage everyone to sign up for any volunteer trail work!

https://www.wlrv.org/
https://www.voc.org/

Good info. I've volunteered with CFI before, and its so hard to get into the one day volunteer opportunities because they fill up so fast. Its good to have another option.