Indian Peaks Wilderness Alliance backcountry volunteer training takes place on Saturday, June 9, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the U.S. Forest Service, Boulder Ranger District, 2140 Yarmouth Ave. The cost is $20, which includes an annual membership to the Indian Peaks Wilderness Alliance. Call Anne Vickery at 303-499-3001. Applications for wilderness volunteers can be found at www.IndianPeaksWilderness.org

It was the early 1980s when three women who liked to hike created a citizen's forum with the goal of protecting Colorado's beautiful Indian Peaks Wilderness Area. Those women — Anne Vickery, Anne Forrest Ketchein and Jan Robertson — are credited with creating one of Boulder's longest lasting citizen-agency partnerships.

Known today as the Indian Peaks Wilderness Alliance (IPWA), the nonprofit group acts as an educational outreach organization and actively protects the rugged landscape of the 73,400-acre Indian Peaks Wilderness Area. The alliance, in collaboration with the U.S. Forest Service, coordinates volunteers, reconstruction and reclamation projects, as well as ongoing research and monitoring of the area.

Some IPWA members volunteer as backcountry "hosts" during the summer, educating day hikers and overnight campers and recording vital information regarding public use of the wilderness, such as the number of dogs off-leash, number of visitors and trail conditions.

Rich Blitz, an IPWA volunteer for 10 years, says that volunteering enables him to give back to the wilderness — and to enjoy it at the same time.

"[It] gives a voice to the wilderness lands so close to home," he says. "The wilderness can't speak for itself and say, 'Don't build any more fire rings on me; don't let your dogs off leash to chase the animals; don't pitch your tent right next to the lake.' That's what volunteers get to do, wearing our Forest Service-issued uniforms and using our training, playing the role of a wilderness volunteer."

Backcountry volunteers must make a commitment to visit the Indian Peaks Wilderness Area at least four times between June and September, including at least once to the Brainard Lake Recreation Area. Many volunteer hosts go nearly every other weekend anyway because the area is so inviting and it's a good excuse to get away and get some exercise.

Those interested in applying are required to fill out an application form available online and attend the full-day training session. Interviews are currently being conducted. The all-day information and training session is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 9, in Boulder at the U.S. Forest Service, Boulder Ranger District, 2140 Yarmouth Ave.

Located about 25 miles west of Boulder, the IPWA straddles the Continental Divide from the southern boundary of Rocky Mountain National Park to Rollins Pass and gets its name from the numerous mountains named for Indian chiefs and tribes.

Nearby Indian Peaks Wilderness was recognized by Congress and added to the National Wilderness Preservation System in 1978. The spectacular Indian Peaks Wilderness is made up of 50 lakes, 35 named peaks, 28 trails covering 133 miles, and six passes across the Continental Divide. The area comprises a wooded landscape primarily within the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests. It is the most heavily visited wilderness area in the United States, with elevations ranging from 8,400 to more than 13,500 feet above sea level.

All Indian Peaks Wilderness volunteers are asked to pay the annual nominal membership dues of $20 to help offset the cost of the Wilderness Volunteer program. Furthermore, the U.S. Forest Service requires participants to complete a Workman's Compensation form when participating in backcountry volunteer work. This assures that members will be covered by medical insurance while participating in the program.

Says Blitz: "Our presence as eyes and ears supplements the ever-so-few full-time professional wilderness rangers who are out there due to the budget challenges for recreation support in the U.S. Forest Service."

Bette Erickson is the author of Best Boulder Region Hiking Trails (Westcliffe Publishers, $19.95). Contact her at bette_erickson@hotmail.com.

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