What is the Trail Stewardship Crew?

In 2024, Overland secured a grant, in partnership with the USFS, through the National Forest Foundation to launch the Trail Stewardship Crew, dedicating their summers to restoring trails scarred by the 2020 Cameron Peak Fire. The funding covered the cost of hiring and operating a full-time crew for 20 weeks each year, from May to October, for 5 years.

With calloused hands and unwavering dedication, the crew has spent the last two summers rebuilding, revitalizing, and inspiring a new wave of Trail Stewardship in Northern Colorado.

2025 Crew Data

Coming Upon 2025 Season Completion

Meet The 2025 Trail Stewardship Crew

Shea Valerius - Crew Member

A proud Wellington native and one-third of a triplet set, Shea’s connection to local trails runs deep. Growing up hiking with family and spending summers in the mountains sparked a lifelong love for wild places. Now a seasoned thru-hiker with thousands of miles logged on Colorado trails and the Pacific Crest Trail, Shea sees trails as more than a path - they are a way of life, rooted in connection, adventure, and stewardship. Rumor has it she bought her first bike and has eyes on adding another to the quiver.

Cyrus Issari - Crew Member

Hailing from Lakewood, California, Cyrus found his trail legs in the Steens Mountain Wilderness on a life-shaping backpacking trip with the Idaho Conservation Corps. That first experience sparked a passion for connecting people to wild places. For Cyrus, trails are more than routes - they are where we remember that the natural world is the real world, and where our appreciation for it grows with every step or pedal stroke.

Eli Harding - Crew Member

Originally from LaCrosse, Wisconsin, Eli is powered by the love for wild places, meaningful connections to nature, and elevation. Whether hiking, paddleboarding, or trekking four days to Machu Pichhu, he is all about adventure and travel. For Eli, trails represent a vital link between people and the outdoors - spaces for exploration, well-being, and shared stewardship.

Eli Hofacker - Crew Member

Originally from the Appalachian hills of Cumberland, Maryland, Eli brings a climber's perspective and a conservationist's heart to the trail world. When not scaling rock faces or chasing the perfect breakfast burrito, Eli is passionate about creating trails that foster a deep, positive connection between people and the land. For him, good trails are not just pathways - they are the gateway to stewardship.

Cody Kremer - Crew Lead

Back for another tour of trail duty, Cody is our seasoned vet and fearless (yet slightly dusty) Crew Lead. Hailing from just outside Woodland Park, he is practically part of the terrain. Whether he is moving boulders or leading builds, Cody earned the nickname "Big Rocks" for a reason. When he is not carving lines on show or dirt, he is honored to lead the charge on lasting change for our local trail system. Cody believes trails should be fun, functional, and maybe just a bit legendary - kind of like himself.

Adam West - Machine Operator

With over 30 years behind the controls, Adam is a master machine operator and true artist of modern trail building. Hailing from Queensbury, NY, he blends precision, creativity, and a deep respect for the landscape in every project. Merging his lifelong love for bikes - he's been riding longer than most of our crew has been alive - with decades of heavy equipment experience, Adam has shaped trails from the Northeast to Vegas, Arkansas, Texas, and New Mexico. His work showcases flow, function, and the ability to turn raw terrain into ridable art. Whether carving tread through granite or shaping features deep in the woods, Adam's skill on the joysticks is mesmerizing. At Overland, his craftsmanship and mentorship continue to elevate what machine-built trail can be.

Commonly Asked Questions

Are the Crew Volunteers?

As much as this crew loves what they do, they are professional trail builders and are paid accordingly. This is their seasonal job, and they all bring unique trail-building skills and backgrounds to form a team that can tackle even the biggest challenges the hill may present. The crew consists of Sawyer-certified Wilderness First Responders with years of experience working with rocks.

What is the Crew’s Schedule?

Monday through Thursday, the crew works 40 hours a week on a diverse portfolio of trail projects. Depending on the location, the crew either camps or travels to the site each day on their electric bikes. Depending on the day, they may be building a bridge, implementing drainage into a current trail, or slapping a lip on a jump.

What trails have the Crew impacted over the last 2 years? Is there a plan for the next 3 years of the grant?

Over the last 2 seasons, the crew has invested their time in:

Danner Pass, Roaring Creek, Lower Dadd Gulch, Hewlett Gulch, Lory Skills Park, and Howard Trail.

Looking forward to 2026, the Crew plans to support the Canyon Lake Rangers District by tackling a large chunk of their 10-year backlog of trail maintenance in the region. Some of the projects coming down the hopper are:

Hewlett Gulch Phase 2, Lower Dadd Gulch extension, North Lone Pine, Killpecker, Mount Margaret.

There is plenty more this crew plans to impact in the years to come, so follow along and find yourself at a volunteer day incorporated into the TSC projects, so you can learn firsthand from this team! Take a look at our project page to see more details on these projects!