GUNNISON TRAILS – A COLORADO-NON PROFIT ORGANIZATION

Gunnison Trails, in addition to maintaining existing trails and educating trail users, is committed to expanding trail opportunities on the public lands directly accessible from the city of Gunnison. Public lands within a five-mile radius of Gunnison, managed by both the BLM and the U.S. Forest Service, currently contain no singletrack trails that were built by either agency for any purpose, including the enjoyment of the public. This is understandable as the public use of the BLM and Forest Service lands surrounding Gunnison has experienced remarkable change in the past several years. 20 years ago, there was simply little demand for trails close to town.

 THE PROJECTS

THE GUNNISON TO CRESTED BUTTE TRAIL

 Gunnison Trails is proposing to build a singletrack trail from Gunnison to Crested Butte. This trail would be about 40-45 miles in length with around 5,000 vertical feet of elevation gain. The alignment is paramount to its success.

The trail would begin at the WSC/Signal Peak trailhead. Staying in the lower sage county making its way north from BLM to Forest Service lands, the trail will arrive on the east bank of the Gunnison River about a mile south of Almont. Utilizing a pedestrian/bicycle bridge over the river and then crossing Hwy. 135, the trail would climb, gaining and then traversing the eastern flank of Flat Top Mountain. Passing through Alkali Basin between Flat Top and Red Mountain, the trail, continuing north, would wrap around Red Mountain’s west side in a clockwise fashion. Staying high on Red Mountain’s north face, the trail will cross upper Carbon Creek accessing the historic alignment of Forest Service trail 436 on the western flank of Whetstone Mountain. Finally, the trail would be in the area of Gibson Ridge, Splains Gulch and Kebler Pass. Several options exist in these areas for getting the trail to within a mile or two of Crested Butte, most likely on Kebler Pass.

IMPORTANT NOTE: In the most recent version of the proposed Forest Service Forest Plan (temporarily withdrawn by legal action), these northernmost Forest Service lands have been designated as a Recommended Wilderness Area. This area is also shielded from the public by private holdings and the Wilderness designation would be wall to wall, between the Forest Service boundaries on both the east and west sides rendering a trail using the above alignment impossible.

Alignments east of Hwy. 135 and west of Ohio Creek Road would be impractical as they would be infinitely longer with unrealistic elevation gain for human powered use. The beauty of the alignment described above is that it is easily doable in one day for fit but average trail users.

This trail, having Crested Butte at one terminus, would become internationally known and have a significant and immediate economic impact on the county. And, once again, with activities that are low-impact on natural resources.

THE WESTERN STATE COLLEGE/SIGNAL PEAK TRAIL SYSTEM

The trailhead for this magnificent system would be Western State College. The general area is a ten-mile radius from Gunnison to the northeast. The existing, unplanned smattering of user-created routes and unsustainable motorized routes, would, over time, be refined and added to, creating a world-class network of sustainable singletrack trails. This network would allow numerous options for various users from casual walkers to longer distance runners and mountain bikers. Additionally, this trailhead and system would access and contain the first 10-12 miles of the Gunnison to Crested Butte Trail (see below.)

THE PALISADES FORMATION/ANTELOPE HILLS/MCINTOSH MOUNTAIN TRAIL SYSTEM

Amazing views and deep, dark woods characterize the trail experience potential of this area, also a ten-mile radius but in the northwest direction from Gunnison. These BLM and Forest Service public lands, predominantly locked away behind a shield of private property, are the domain of a few motorized users and adjacent property owners who can travel directly onto the public lands from their private holdings. They are but a stones throw from the city limits, however, the nearest public access is via CR 818 (Wiley Lane) or CR 726 (near Cooper Ranch), both many miles away by car.

Gunnison Trails is proposing a trailhead on city property northwest of town and a pedestrian and bicycle bridge across the Gunnison to the BLM lands on the west side of the river. From there, a sustainable trail alignment has been surveyed accessing the top of the Palisades ridge formation. The proposed system then offers trail users numerous experiences including a singletrack trail to the Mill Creek area and an amazing trail around Antelope Summit, as well as other loops of varying distance.

Two primary factors fueling this new interest in trails close to town are the awareness of the benefits of outdoor exercise and shifting demographics in the citizens of Gunnison. The health benefits from walking, jogging and riding bicycles on a regular basis are quite clear. Combine this with ease of access, amazing vistas and satisfying, motivating experiences in the outdoors and the value of quality trail systems accessible directly from town becomes evident.

Additionally, the percentage of Gunnison residents that regularly enjoy walking, jogging and riding bicycles on singletrack trails close to town has experienced a sharp increase in the last 20 years. Also relevant in the era of $4.00 plus for a gallon of gas, are trailheads easily accessible to many without driving an automobile. Other additional benefits of quality trail systems adjacent to Gunnison include:

·        An economic driver based on health and fitness that is low-impact on our natural resources. Trail systems themselves are the draw for visitors and many of these guests come from other Colorado communities and are repeat customers. Numerous front-range trail users visit Fruita several times each year, generally in the spring and fall. If Gunnison establishes quality trail systems, our town will become an additional destination for this attractive demographic, generally professionals aged 30-60.

It is interesting to note that great trails and great trail systems need no marketing. If Gunnison begins offering quality trails, trail users will come, persuaded simply by word of mouth.

·        An amazing asset to Gunnison residents of all ages for recreation, physical fitness and well-being. Likewise for residents of the entire county. Often, snowpack or weather precludes our high-country residents from getting out during certain times of the year, while the areas close to Gunnison are open and dry.

·        Relocation asset for professionals, families or businesses considering a move to Gunnison.

·        Recruiting asset for new students, faculty and administration at Western State College.

·        Non-motorized trail use is low-impact on natural resources.

·        Non-motorized trail users, including mountain bikers, are typically concerned, caring stewards of the land and know the importance of preserving our natural areas for future generations.

GREAT, BUT WHO’S GOING TO BUILD AND MAINTAIN THESE TRAILS?

Gunnison Trails is currently exploring perpetual funding. There are numerous trail advocacy organizations that are accomplishing similar goals to those outlined here that are well-funded. Trails 2000 in Durango is the closest example of an organization that is well-funded by the private sector that builds trails, maintains trails and educates trail users.

Gunnison Trails’ goal is to have an adequate annual operating budget. With this level of funding, we can operate a trail building crew of young people from our valley that will be able to build 10 to 15 miles of trail per summer. Additional funding means we can build and maintain even more miles per year. These efforts will be supplemented with our current volunteer programs.

HOW CAN WE SUPPORT GUNNISON TRAILS’ EFFORTS?

 
The best way to support Gunnison Trails’ vision is to spread the word about these projects. We'll be meeting with the BLM and the Forest Service on an ongoing basis promoting these trails and trail systems. It's a movement and public support is the most important element for these trails to become a reality.