On May 2, the Crested Butte Mountain Bike Association (CBMBA) announced the commencement of the North Valley Trails Project in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service Gunnison Ranger District.
A “decision notice,” or proverbial greenlight, from the Gunnison District Ranger means CBMBA can move forward on the construction of approximately nine miles of new trail, plus one mile of trail decommissioning. CBMBA will begin work during the upcoming summer riding season.
“We are thankful for the efforts of the Gunnison Ranger District and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) team in finding this decision,” said Doug Bradbury, president of the CBMBA board of directors. “It opens the door for some truly amazing new recreation amenities that will bring value to our entire community and visitors alike.”
CBMBA began this trails plan in 2017 with extensive public outreach and stakeholder input. More recently, the local trails advocacy organization presented its proposal to the Sustainable Tourism and Outdoor Recreation (STOR) Committee, where it was further vetted.
In 2021, the Gunnison Ranger District accepted the proposed plan, then titled “Riders Off the Road.” It then entered into the NEPA process where it was re-titled the North Valley Trails Project.
The project includes CBMBA-proposed trails along with designated camping and trailhead infrastructure improvements to be completed on behalf of the ranger district. After further vetting by district specialists, extensive scoping and public comment periods, the NEPA process was completed and Gunnison District Ranger Dayle Funka signed off on the project.
“This project has been a collaborative effort,” Funka said. “I’m proud of my team for their hard work and I respect CBMBA’s dedication to high quality, safe recreation opportunities.”
CBMBA now has direction for several years’ worth of trail construction projects and will continue the tradition of bringing the community together around volunteer workdays.
Potential new builds for the 2024 season include the Upper Upper Loop to Brush Creek Trailhead connection that will allow riders to avoid a busy section of dirt road in the Brush Creek drainage, and the Teocalli Ridge extension, which will lengthen one of the North Valley’s most iconic downhills while also lessening ride time on the road. None of these new trails are located in designated wilderness or proposed wildlife management areas in the ongoing forest plan revision.
“This decision provides for new trails, network connections and needed infrastructure improvements that will greatly improve the safety and recreation experiences for all trail users,” Matt Whiting, vice president of the CBMBA board of directors, said.
In addition to the new trails, the North Valley Trails Project will create nearly 19 acres of new parking and trailhead infrastructure at the Brush Creek Trailhead, Walrod Trailhead, Tent City Trailhead and designated camping area, respectively. Work at the Brush Creek and Tent City trailheads will also begin this summer.
“With our dedicated trail crews and amazing volunteers, we will chip away at these new trail projects for several years,” said CBMBA Executive Director Dave Ochs.
Work will begin in earnest during National Trails Day on June 1. To read the full Decision Notice and learn more about the North Valley Trails Project and NEPA process, go to fs.usda.gov/project/?project=61177. For more information about CBMBA trail workdays, volunteer opportunities or the project, check out crestedbuttemountainbike.com or contact Ochs at dave@cbmba.org or 970.349.7324
(Source: Crested Butte Mountain Bike Association.)
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