VWR
Solitude
Monitoring
About
Solitude
Monitoring
The Dillon and Eagle-Holy Cross Ranger Districts must collect data every few years to determine whether the “solitude” aspect of Wilderness is being met in our local Wilderness Areas. To do this, they must collect data on the number of day-hikers and overnight users on selected trails. For 2025, from May 25th to September 30th, ESWA will be helping with the following trails:
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Missouri Lakes Trail - Holy Cross Wilderness
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Holy Cross Trail - Holy Cross Wilderness
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Pitkin Trail - Eagles Nest Wilderness
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Upper Piney Trail - Eagles Nest Wilderness
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Surprise - Upper Cataract - Eagles Nest Wilderness
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Lower Cataract Lake - Eagles Nest Wilderness
How can I help?
Given their limited staff, the USFS is deeply appreciative of ESWA’s help in collecting the required data. If you are patrolling one of the trails listed in the attachment, you can collect this data during a normal VWR patrol. The data collected is similar to, though somewhat different from, the data you normally collect on a patrol. You also must complete and submit a similar, but separate, reporting form directly to the USFS. All of this is explained in more detail in the solitude monitoring protocol.
Thanks for considering this separate data collection and reporting on your patrols this summer when patrolling one of the trails being studied.
What is the process to help?
First, check out the area maps, then read the solitude monitoring protocol. Note that the monitoring areas are outlined in light blue on the map. You may want to print both of these documents out and take them with you.
Second, pick your trail and time period on the sign-up spreadsheet. Third, do your hike and record the data on the Solitude Monitoring Form.
Finally, provide that data on the Monitoring Form to the USFS as described in the Solitude Monitoring Protocol.
You can access these documents using the links below: