Gunnison County Community and Economic
Development Department
TO:
Board of County Commissioners
Matthew Birnie, County Manager
Marlene Crosby, Deputy County Manager
FROM:
Cathie Pagano, Community and Economic Development Director
Tim Kugler, Graduate Student Fellow
Martin Schmidt, Graduate Student Volunteer
DATE:
January 30, 2017
SUBJECT:
Gunnison County Baseline Trail Report
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The creation of a Gunnison County Comprehensive Trails Plan was identified as a high priority
action during the One Valley Prosperity Project (OVPP). The OVPP is a collaborative initiative of
the Community Builders Task Force (CBTF), which was formed in 2014 and tasked with
developing a long term framework to support County-wide collaboration. The CBTF developed a
strategy to define and support local community projects that have regional economic
significance. As part of this strategy, the development of a regional trails master plan was
identified as a priority item.
Trails and the connections they provide to public lands are an integral part of life in Gunnison
County. The original idea behind the formation of the Gunnison County Trails Commission back
in 1995 was “where would the trail users of the Crested Butte area like to see more trail
opportunities, even if they seemed a fantasy?” (GCTC Master Plan, 2016). This simple and
fanciful idea has been the driving force behind groups like the Gunnison County Trails
Commission, Gunnison Trails, and the Crested Butte Mountain Bike Association (CBMBA). Our
trail infrastructure is an enormous draw for both residents and visitors alike. Our rich ranching
heritage and the large percentage of public lands that make up the County (78%) mean that
Gunnison County is largely undeveloped.
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Summer and winter tourism account for a significant portion of the local economy. The
Gunnison Valley has begun to feel the pressures from a growing tourism based economy. There
are times during the busy summer season when it appears the carrying capacity of certain
areas has either been reached or exceeded. As a result, we have experienced an increase in
environmental degradation in the form of pollution, improper disposal of human waste, the
creation of new camping areas in non-designated sites, as well as increased congestion on
trails.
In today’s landscape, however, the conversation has shifted from “where would we like to see
more trails” to “aren’t there enough trails already?” Many ranchers in the valley have begun to
feel the effects recreation has on their day-to-day operations. Issues that continually arise
throughout the busy summer months include trespassing on private lands, gates being left open
allowing cattle to escape, and heavy recreational traffic during cattle drives. Local groups like
CBMBA and Gunnison Trails have worked to address some of these issues including educating
users, installing rollovers to replace gates, and installing signage during seasonal closures.
However, there is a need for a comprehensive trails plan that prioritizes important linkages and
access for recreation while proactively addressing the concerns of ranchers. There is a shared
message of land conservation and environmental stewardship between the recreation and
ranching community, and efforts should be made to identify shared visions versus historical
differences.
PAST, PRESENT, FUTURE
Outdoor recreation is a critical component of the Gunnison County economy and the Colorado
economy. The Colorado Outdoor Recreation Economy, produced by the Outdoor Industry
Association, finds that outdoor recreation in Colorado generates:
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$13.2 billion in consumer spending
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125,000 direct Colorado jobs
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$4.2 billion in wages and salaries
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$994 million in state and local tax revenues
The One Valley Prosperity Strategy articulated the importance of recreation and sustainable
tourism in Gunnison County. Public lands and access to them for a multitude of recreation
opportunities are core values of our community and contribute directly to our quality of life. The
increasing number of visitors and residents accessing these recreational opportunities has
contributed to noticeable negative impacts in areas of the County including: damage to natural
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resources; lack of sanitary facilities at trailheads, more people than campgrounds can
accommodate and busy trails which threaten the quality of the experience that we so value.
The One Valley Prosperity Strategy identifies the following key strategic approaches:
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Manage summer tourism. Summer tourism is the busiest and highest impact season.
Better management of this season is essential to sustaining support for the tourism
sector, enhancing visitor experiences, and mitigating negative impacts.
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Grow tourism in the winter and shoulder seasons. These times have the capacity to
accommodate additional visitors and also diversify the types of tourism activities offered.
●
Communicate diversity of assets to better distribute visitors. Our region has a wide
variety of assets over a large geographic area. To reduce overcrowding visitors should
be educated about the variety of opportunities.
●
Grow capacity for long term sustainable management. Continuing to improve
cooperation and collaboration between governments, nonprofits and user groups is
critical, along with development of the systems to facilitate this work.
●
Enhance recreation infrastructure. The quality of infrastructure and facilities such as
campgrounds, signage, trails, and restrooms has a significant impact on the number of
visitors a region can sustainably support. Improvements are necessary to mitigate
existing problems and proactively plan for the future.
Without action, negative impacts to our resources and quality of life will likely increase. These
negative impacts also affect the quality of the experience for visitors and may lead to negative
impacts to our economy. Outdoor recreation users and visitors are projected to continue to
grow, particularly in Colorado. A sustainable management approach to recreation and tourism
will protect our resources, quality of life, and the tourism economy.
CURRENT TRAIL INFRASTRUCTURE
Gunnison County is the home of a vast trail network. There are approximately 750 miles of
mountain bike (MTB) trails in the County. CBMBA lists approximately 167 miles of MTB trail that
they advocate for in the Crested Butte area. The US Forest Service (USFS) has 1,200 miles of
trails in the Upper Gunnison Basin Unit of the Gunnison National Forest; these trails serve a
variety of users. Local OHV outfitters list over 2,000 miles of ATV, Jeep and 4-Wheel drive trails
in the Gunnison Basin. There are an impressive amount of miles of trail which reach every
corner of the County.
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Trails fall into different categories based on their intended user. Nearly all trails are usable by
pedestrians, but the intended user is typically what defines the trail experience. The county
hosts several types of trails with different maintenance needs.
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Paved or Surfaced: commuter routes, community connectors and requires professional
surface maintenance (e.g. Riverwalk Trail, Deli Trail)
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Improved: multi-modal recreation. Maintenance by owners, volunteers, and stakeholders
(e.g. Sea of Sage)
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Developed: Recreation, maintenance by volunteers and stakeholders (e.g. FS 401)
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Undeveloped: Recreation, typically in wilderness, limited maintenance after initial
construction (e.g. Summerville Trail)
In order to manage and maintain the trails in the Valley, many different mapping projects have
been undertaken. The BLM and the USFS have developed their own systems that reflect their
needs. The Gunnison-Crested Butte Tourism Association (https://www.cbgtrails.com/) has
enlisted the help of Juicy Trails to develop a mountain bike specific trail map for the basin. The
County GIS department has overlaid these maps onto the County interactive map system in an
attempt to create an exhaustive trails map. The accuracy, scale differences, and differing
attributes of each map make this a challenging task. The development of a uniform mapping
system for all of the land management organizations to utilize would be beneficial in
development of a comprehensive trail map. Pitkin County has developed an integrated map by
working with the numerous federal agencies and trail groups. The County GIS Department has
expressed interest in working with other entities to develop a uniform mapping system.
CURRENT MANAGEMENT
Gunnison County contains 81.9% federal land managed by the United States Forest Service
(USFS), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and Curecanti National Recreation Area.
Agricultural lands account for another 13% of lands in the County (Gunnison County Land Use
Analysis, 2012). The contiguous ranch and federal lands provide vast vistas, open spaces, and
access to recreational amenities that are the reason scores of people visit the Valley, and the
reason many residents call this place home. The management strategies and priorities of the
different agencies that oversee these federal lands differ and all agencies have faced budget
cuts at a time of increasing use of federal lands. The coordinated management of these lands
are a key component to their preservation.
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The USFS manages 1,220,035 acres of federal lands in Gunnison County as part of the Grand
Mesa, Uncompahgre, Gunnison (GMUG) National Forest. The USFS and BLM began a travel
planning process in the late 1990s to address unplanned and user-created route proliferation
and limit authorized travel to established roads and trails across the Grand Mesa,
Uncompahgre, and Gunnison federal lands. In 2003, “the Forest Service Chief identified
unmanaged recreation as one of four threats to National Forest Service lands” (USDA Forest
Service, 2010). After nearly six years of planning, environmental assessments, and countless
revisions to the Gunnison Interim Travel Restriction Decision, the “Travel Management:
Designated Routes and Areas for Motor Vehicle Use” rule was created in 2005. This rule is
generally referred to as the 2005 Travel Rule. The 2005 Travel Rule specifies that all adopted
roads, trails, or other areas are designated as open, and specify the type of travel allowed and,
if appropriate, by time of year travel is allowed/restricted. The final Record of Decision was
signed in 2010, and the implementation of the Travel Rule has guided much of the USFS’s
priorities since.
There are roughly 3,500 miles of trails on the GMUG National Forest, with approximately 1,200
miles of trail within Gunnison National Forest. Approximately 400 miles of trail are maintained
each year, while other trails see maintenance every two to five years. There are many trails,
often found within wilderness areas that have never received maintenance. The 2010 Record of
Decision for the Gunnison National Forest outlines trail priorities (both maintenance and new
construction) within the Gunnison Valley. These include:
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Baxter Gulch trail (new construction)
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Block and Tackle trail (major reroute of the northern section)
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Waterfall Creek trail (major reroutes and maintenance planned for 2017/2018 season,
pending grant approval)
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Carbon trail (heavy maintenance planned for 2018 season, pending grant approval)
●
Granite Basin and Eccher Gulch trails (creation of a legal exit needed between the
terminus of the Eccher Gulch trail and State Highway 135)
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Waterfall Cutoff and Fenceline trails (Fenceline trail is no longer a system trail, with
Waterfall Cutoff serving as a non-motorized route that takes users off Cement Creek
Road)
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The BLM manages 355,350 acres of federal lands in Gunnison County and a total of 600,000
acres in the upper Gunnison River Basin. An additional 50,000 acres were added to the
Gunnison Field Office after redistricting took effect in early October, 2016. This expansion,
meant to more evenly allocate resources across BLM districts in Colorado, includes the Alpine
Loop, a popular byway through Lake City, Ouray, and Silverton. While additional staff and
resources have been promised to the Gunnison field office for the expansion, the increased
acreage brings additional management requirements.
Within the basin, the Gunnison Sage-grouse dictates much of the planning and development
around recreation. Prior to the listing decision of the Gunnison Sage-grouse as threatened in
2014, considerable work was done by members of a local working group to create a range wide
conservation plan, stating that “the cumulative result of conserving local populations is
conservation of the species. It is intended as guidance to aid in the Gunnison sage-grouse
conservation efforts for federal land management agencies, various industry groups, the
Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife, and the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, as well as
local work groups” (CO DOW, 2005). Beginning in January 2010, federal land management
agencies and the Gunnison Basin Sage Grouse Strategic Committee developed a Candidate
Conservation Agreement (CCA) to identify and address threats to the Gunnison basin
population of sage-grouse. This CCA identifies 3 areas for recreational development
concentrated at the urban interface surrounding Gunnison: Hartman Rocks, Signal Peak, and
Van Tuyl Ranch. Current Gunnison BLM priorities include:
●
Signal Peak master trail plan (begin plan approval in January, 2017)
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Consolidating new ideas for additional trail mileage at Hartman Rocks (Dave Wiens of
Gunnison Trails recommends a work session of interested individuals to identify and
present new routes/reroutes within Hartman Rocks Recreation Area to the BLM)
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Identify new areas for recreational access to public lands (Powderhorn, Almont)
●
Connecting the Lower Loop with Oh Be Joyful campground and possibly beyond to
Pittsburg (currently working with CB Land Trust)
Curecanti National Recreation Area lies nine miles west of Gunnison and offers a myriad of
recreational opportunities, including boating, fishing, and hiking. Managed by the National Park
Service, Curecanti has seven trails within its boundaries totaling 24 miles. NPS superintendent
Bruce Noble has said that while parts of the Gunnison Valley have experienced crowding issues
during the summer months, there is room for growth at Curecanti. Noble expressed interest in
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diversifying the image of Curecanti as more than just a boating or fishing experience. Noble said
it would be difficult to advocate for more trail development within Curecanti, as the existing trails
do not see heavy use. The seven trails within Curecanti are all accessed off of Highway 50 or
Highway 92, requiring visitors to drive to the trailheads.
Curecanti National Recreation Area does not have a trails plan for current maintenance or future
development. Possible areas for further trail development include increasing the connectivity
between campgrounds along the shore of the reservoir and possible trail development in Soap
Creek (currently managed by the USFS, but under consideration to be managed by the NPS as
part of Curecanti). There has been interest in the past regarding a possible trail route between
Gunnison and Curecanti but the need for such a trail and who would use it is up for debate.
CURRENT PLANS
There are a number of trail and recreation plans for different areas of the County but a
prioritized, regional plan does not exist. These plans cover topics ranging from new trail
development, new recreational infrastructure, and pathways to enable connectivity throughout
communities. While the purpose and needs outlined in each plan vary, the central theme for
each revolves around pursuing a regional approach to meet community needs. A
comprehensive, regional trails plan would provide a framework to address recreational needs on
a regional basis.
The need for a comprehensive trails plan is all the more evident with current state and federal
support for outdoor recreation. In his 2015 State of the State Address, Governor Hickenlooper
presented his Colorado the Beautiful initiative designed to “grow, enhance, connect, and market
statewide outdoor recreation resources and opportunities.” A focal aspect of this initiative is to
identify priority trails and trail gaps throughout Colorado, highlighting sixteen trail projects by the
year 2016. Gunnison and Pitkin Counties received one of the sixteen priority projects with the
Crested Butte to Carbondale trail. There are far less grand, but equally important, priorities and
gaps within our regional trail system that a comprehensive trail plan could effectively address.
GUNNISON COUNTY TRAILS COMMISSION
The Gunnison County Trails Commission was created in 1995 to identify desirable multiseasonal/multi-use routes which connect trail systems, public lands, and communities within
Gunnison County, as well as improve existing trails, signage, and marking. The original trails
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plan was written in 1996, and has seen subsequent revisions to the summary and priorities list.
The criteria that guide trail priorities are: linkage opportunities, access, multiple-use, scenic
views, and safe routes. 2016 priorities include: Baxter Gulch trail; Brush Creek to Crested Butte
South trail; Crested Butte to Carbondale trail; Gunnison to Crested Butte backcountry route;
Signal Peak recreation plan; State Highway 135 corridor trail opportunities; and supporting
effective signing in the Gunnison Valley.
CRESTED BUTTE MOUNTAIN BIKE ASSOCIATION
The Crested Butte Mountain Bike Association (CBMBA) began in 1983 with a mission to build,
maintain, promote, and advocate for responsible and sustainable mountain bike trails in the
Gunnison Valley. CBMBA’s master trail plan has served as an important guiding document for
accomplishing work with the USFS. The trail plan was completely updated, including interactive
maps, in 2016. Guiding principles to help prioritize projects include trail diversity, user dispersal,
connecting drainages in the north end of the valley, connecting single-track trails otherwise
accessed via roads, and getting recreational users off of roads and onto trail corridors. Priorities
include: Crested Butte to Crested Butte South trail, Baxter Gulch trail, rerouting sections of the
Deer Creek trail, extending sections of the Cement Creek trail to get riders off of the road, Mt.
CB to Gothic trail, extensive reroutes on Carbon Creek trail, Gunnison to Crested Butte
backcountry route, and creating a trail that circumnavigates Mt. Crested Butte.
GUNNISON TRAILS
Gunnison Trails began in 2006 with a mission to assist land managers in maintaining existing
trails, educating users on responsible trail-based recreation, and pursuing new and sustainable
opportunities for biking, running, and hiking trails throughout Gunnison County. Gunnison Trails
has three main trail projects that have guided the organization’s work since the beginning: the
Gunnison to Crested Butte trail, the Signal Peak trail system, and access from Van Tuyl Ranch
to public lands. Gunnison Trails submitted a trail plan for the Signal Peak area to the BLM for
review in January, 2017. While the plan consists of multiple zones, with different trail
characteristics and priorities for each, priority will be placed on those trails already in existence
that need maintenance or reroutes. Pending approval of the plan, the BLM has said work could
potentially start in the fall of 2017. Gunnison Trails is also in support of a trail around W
Mountain connecting Gunnison with Hartman Rocks.
TOWN OF CRESTED BUTTE
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Michael Yerman, Town Planner for Crested Butte, identified the Town’s top trail priorities as
Baxter Gulch and Crested Butte to Carbondale. He also indicated interest in and support for a
Crested Butte to Crested Butte South trail. The Town of Crested Butte has had a strong focus
on connectivity, working on the completion of the Perimeter trail and widening of the Deli trail,
among other projects.
CITY OF GUNNISON
The City of Gunnison has a trails master plan and has been working to create connections
around the City on a perimeter trail, along with developing new trails on the eastern edge of
Gunnison. The top priorities of the City are to create connections from the City to Hartman
Rocks, Van Tuyl, and Signal Peak area with excellent signage and wayfinding along the way.
MT. CRESTED BUTTE
The town of Mt. Crested Butte developed the Mt. Crested Butte Community Plan in 2007 with a
vision to create a “year-round, sustainable resort community through balancing quality of life,
our environment, financial stability, and the lifestyle and diversity of both our residents and
guests” (Mt. Crested Butte Community Plan, 2007). While the town of Mt. Crested Butte has few
trails within town limits, it has a number of popular trailheads and is the northern terminus of the
recreation path. Phase 2 of the Recreation Path Extension project was completed in the
summer of 2016, extending the recreation path from Marcellina Lane to Winterset. While the
town of Mt. Crested Butte did not specify any current trail priorities, the extension of the
recreation path to the Snodgrass trailhead is a long-term vision for the community.
GUNNISON VALLEY OHV ALLIANCE OF TRAILRIDERS
The Gunnison Valley O.H.V. Alliance of Trailriders (GOATS) was founded in 2011 and
represents motorized trail users. Their mission is to limit further closure of motorized routes in
the Gunnison National Forest and the Gunnison BLM district, and work with other advocacy
groups to ensure the best possible user experience while on public lands. Priorities include
participating in the pending Forest Plan revision, the creation of a motorized trail connecting
Splain’s Gulch with the Carbon trail, a more sustainably aligned reroute of the closed Grassy
trail in the upper Cement Creek drainage, and the creation of a motocross practice track within
Gunnison County.
STAKEHOLDERS
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Stakeholder groups should be included in strategic planning efforts and the prioritization
process. Primary stakeholder groups (those with a direct stake in trail construction,
maintenance, or public land management) include:
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National Park Service
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USFS
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BLM
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Colorado Parks and Wildlife
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Gunnison County Trails Commission
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Crested Butte Mountain Bike Association (CBMBA)
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Gunnison Trails
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Gunnison Valley O.H.V. Alliance of Trailriders (GOATS)
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Western State Colorado University (WSCU)
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Gunnison Public Lands Initiative (GPLI)
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Local municipalities
Secondary groups (those that work on/with land affected by trails and trail use) include:
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Rocky Mountain Biological Lab
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Gunnison County Stockgrowers
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CB Land Trust
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High Country Conservation Advocates
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Backcountry Hunters and Anglers
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Trout Unlimited
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Equine groups
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Hiking groups
RECOMMENDATIONS
Strategic Trails Plan
A strategic trails plan should be completed. Prioritizing future trail development and current
maintenance needs within the Gunnison Basin is recommended. While many of the groups
mentioned above have attempted to prioritize trails listed within their plans, it is a difficult task
that often leads to a long list of priorities with little emphasis on a strategic timeline for
completion. Projects that may have once been a high priority may be less so as more
opportunities arise. Prioritization of the needs and desires of the community is key to
implementation of a successful plan. Prioritization of trail projects and other needs should be
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vetted with a targeted stakeholder group that includes: local government, Gunnison County
Trails Commission, nonprofit trail groups (e.g. Gunnison Trails, CBMBA, GOATS, CB Land
Trust), Federal agencies and representatives from groups or communities that may not have a
formal organization (equestrians, sportsmen, the town of Almont, etc.). Prioritization should
include two categories--high/medium/low and short/medium/long term. Criteria for prioritization
shall be determined in advance and may include a project’s connectivity, frequency of use,
maintenance requirements and targeted user.
Once the stakeholder group has prioritized objectives and strategies they should be vetted with
the public for their feedback. This feedback loop is a critical component and will likely involve
challenges around differing needs. We suggest a process similar to the one that was used
during the OVPP working group prioritization. This process is meant to identify high priority trail
and recreation needs for the Gunnison Basin to which the county can more effectively produce
results.
The following trails or potential trails have been identified by multiple groups as a priority and
should be vetted with a diverse stakeholder group to determine prioritization:
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Crested Butte to Crested Butte South trail connection. Challenges associated with this
trail include alignment, acquiring easements and/or working with CDOT. This appears to
be a clear priority for many groups although there are significant challenges for
implementation. CB South is the largest population center in the north end of the Valley
as continues to grow and house many year-round residents. There is a strong desire to
offer an off-road trail connection from the subdivision to the Town of Crested Butte. This
connection would also facilitate connections to trails in Cement Creek and Brush Creek
and may limit increased traffic that would drive to Crested Butte instead. This may be a
high priority with a long term time frame.
●
Baxter Gulch. The final section of the Baxter Gulch trail lies on USFS land and is
scheduled for completion by summer of 2017. Baxter Gulch has been in the making for
many years. It will provide unique access to Whetsone Mountain and Gibson Ridge and
is also a critical piece in establishing connections to Trail 565 (Carbon Creek Trail) and
then to Splain’s Gulch. The Carbon Creek and Splain’s Gulch trails would be an ideal
end to the Gunnison to Crested Butte trail.
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City of Gunnison to Hartman Rocks (off road). The City is interested in creating alternate
off road access to Hartman Rocks in cooperation with the County. A potential trail may
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tie into the open space east of the Airport at the base of W Mountain. This would create
a connection to Hartman’s but also create additional recreation opportunities for users
that enjoy the river area and a flat loop adjacent to the City. A trail would reduce the
number of bicycles that currently use County Road 38 as access to Hartman’s, although
there likely would be some users that would continue to use CR 38 due to proximity.
Gunnison sage-grouse, wetlands, and airport restrictions will all present some
challenges. Gunnison County Public Works did stripe a three foot wide bike lane on
County Road 38 in 2016.
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Signal Peak. Gunnison Trails and the BLM have been working on this proposal and it is
anticipated that trail construction will begin in the summer of 2017. Thirty miles of new
trails are proposed in this area and provide a unique opportunity for recreation adjacent
to the City of Gunnison. The Signal Peak area near Western is heavily used by hikers,
walkers and runners but has limited opportunities for users that are not on foot. The area
is unique in Gunnison because it reaches an elevation where conifers grow and provides
a different trail experience than Hartman Rocks. As recreation continues to grow
dispersal of the use would be beneficial.
●
Gunnison to Crested Butte backcountry trail. This trail is big, hairy audacious goal for
many in the Gunnison Valley. It is believed that the trail could be a magnet for riders
looking for an epic trail experience. Because the trail could be ridden in a day and there
is free bus service between the communities this would provide a unique opportunity for
recreationists to hike or ride the trail and then take a free bus back to their vehicle. This
will be a long term goal but seems to have the support of recreationists. The agricultural
community will likely have concerns about conflicts that may arise between cattle
grazing and recreationists. Gunnison sage-grouse, big game habitat, and permitted
grazing all present challenges for a potential route.
●
Crested Butte to Carbondale trail. The Trails Commission and the Town of Crested Butte
have expressed support for the project. In Pitkin County, a planning effort is underway to
identify a preferred route by the end of 2017. There is some local support for this effort
although it does not appear to have significant support amongst the general community.
Much of the trail on the Pitkin County side is a paved recreation path, once trail gets to
McClure Pass, the Raggeds and Dark Canyon there is difficult terrain that would make
the trail a challenge for all but the most fit recreationists. Feedback from the community
is important to determine if there is broad support for prioritization of this trail.
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●
Motocross practice area. GOATS has expressed a desire for this development and
Community Development staff has received inquiries from a party interested in
developing this in the County. A centralized area for motocross would allow users a
designated area that accommodates their needs and may limit the dispersal of impacts
in more sensitive areas.
Once a strategic trails plan is completed it will be critical to have a group overseeing
implementation--a group similar to the Trails Commission with a clear focus, scope of work and
mission will be critical to ensure action.
Communication of trail and recreation opportunities
Communication about our trail assets and opportunities is critical for enhancing the resident and
visitor experience and would also support dispersal of concentrated uses. This is a critical
component of trails and recreation planning. Trail maintenance, construction and connectivity
create the infrastructure but it is critical that we disperse heavy use and emphasize the
numerous trail opportunities that exist throughout the County. A wayfinding system should
include both physical and digital tools for an integrated user experience. Expanding the current
system beyond its non-motorized, mechanized focus to include all users is needed. Enhanced
signage and wayfinding tools will help to disperse users and reduce the impact of focused use.
Ongoing Maintenance
Trails and their associated activities are a major economic driver for Gunnison County. The
economic benefits stem from both locals and visitors. With the drastic increase in trail traffic
there is a need to expand maintenance to preserve this asset into the future. Gunnison Trails
funded a youth trail crew consisting of a trail crew leader and youth crew workers for 20 hours a
week for twelve weeks in the summer of 2016. Gunnison Trails plans to fund another youth
crew in 2017.
While many would argue that the responsibility for trail maintenance and resource protection
falls on the agency that oversees the land, the reality is federal funding for recreation and trail
improvements has continually been cut from federal budgets. Maintenance and new trail
construction will likely be a low priority for land managers. As trails are a major draw for visitors
to the Valley and part of the backbone of our recreation economy, it would be short-sighted to
ignore important upkeep and maintenance. A strategic trails plan that informs land managers’
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decisions and scopes of work will be beneficial in identifying high priority areas for maintenance.
Trails that see heavy use (FS 401) or trails that see a mix of uses (Dr. Park) should be
considered as high priority because of their importance to our residents and visitors quality of
recreation experience.
Connectivity
The County should take a leadership role in unifying stakeholders behind connectivity priorities,
whether for multi-modal commuting or to enhance the town to trail experience. These areas are
essential to discover and highlight when considering a regional plan for the Gunnison Basin that
focuses on connectivity. The Gunnison Public Lands Initiative (GPLI) working group is currently
dealing with how recreational uses may change with land designation changes. This group, with
representatives from both CBMBA and Gunnison Trails, is working to preserve current trail
infrastructure, while planning ahead for future routes. While the above plans specify new routes
and maintenance priorities, there are gaps within these plans that could serve as important
areas for connectivity between communities, including:
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Gunnison to Hartman Rocks off-road trail
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Almont--a trail system in Almont would benefit summer-time residents and visitors, as
well as serve as a connection for the Gunnison to Crested Butte trail
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Gunnison to Crested Butte trail
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Crested Butte to Paonia--there is a group of recreationists in the North Fork valley that
have begun to highlight the recreational potential of the western West Elk mountain
range, including a route connecting Crested Butte with Paonia via Kebler Pass.
●
Inter-community connections including safe routes to schools, recreation facilities and
amenities (e.g. safe crossing on Highway 50 for pedestrians and cyclists).
FINAL THOUGHTS
During the One Valley Prosperity Project the community clearly expressed that they value being
connected to nature and a healthy and active lifestyle--these are two of our community’s core
values. The County is home to a diverse group of individuals that all contribute to our unique
and exceptional quality of life. Our rural character and abundant natural resources create an
environment to cherish and protect. The expansion of our trails system and the promotion of our
current trail network has created an influx of trail users in every season. The local economic
impact that accompanies this recreation boom is welcomed but it makes the need to protect our
resources more apparent. Protecting the quality of life and community values is critical for our
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residents. A strategic trails plan that supports and enhances the recreation economy while being
mindful of its impacts to other industries and focuses on actions that align with community
values is a critical step for a sustainable tourism and recreation economy.
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