Friends of Wilderness partners with the U.S. Forest Service in managing and protecting the Wilderness and backcountry lands of the Routt National Forest and adjacent national forests.
FOW is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization.
In 2023, our volunteers completed:
Patrols on Different Trails
Visitors Contacted
Miles Hiked
Campsites Remediated
Pounds of Trash Cleared
Fallen Trees Cleared
WHAT WE DO
While on the trail we represent the U.S. Forest Service by:
- Serving as volunteer wilderness rangers
- Educating the public
- Performing trail maintenance
- Reporting trail problems that need attention
- Maintaining trailhead registers and signs
- Monitoring campsites and rehabilitating fire rings
- Identifying and removing invasive noxious weeds
- Encouraging LEAVE NO TRACE practices
WHERE WE DO IT
We partner with the Hahns Peak/Bears Ears, Yampa, and Park’s Ranger Districts to perform work in the Mount Zirkel, Sarvis Creek, and Flat Tops Wildernesses, which are within the Routt and White River National Forests. Our Wilderness areas contain over 440,000 acres, 3330 miles of trails, 280 ponds and lakes, miles of high country fishable streams/lakes, and 15 peaks over 12,000 feet. Learn more about our Wilderness areas at www.wilderness.net.
WHO WE ARE
We are people who love to spend time in the mountains and on the trails. We value the protection of Wilderness and believe in Wilderness stewardship.
While we work with the U.S. Forest Service, we work for the Wilderness. We are volunteers who have agreed to assist the Forest Service where we can in their ongoing effort to manage our Wilderness areas.
While some of us enjoy meeting, greeting and education, other prefer to assist in trail maintenance and special projects. Everyone is welcome.
GET INVOLVED
Leave No Trace
Before
After
Leave No Trace Seven Principles:
- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
- Dispose of Waste Properly
- Leave What You Find
- Minimize Campfire Impacts
- Respect Wildlife
- Be Considerate of Other Visitors
