RECENT
-   2005 ACCOMPLISHMENTS   -

COLORADO TRAIL

Trails 2000 has expended a huge amount of effort on our state's most celebrated trail.   It is our responsibility to maintain just one of the 54 adopted segments.   We take care of a 15 mile segment near Durango.   It's deep in the woods above Gudy's Rest.   This year we found extra challenging conditions due to Mother Nature's handiwork.   The effects of above average snowfall and rain are amazing.   The biggest single impact is from avalanches, slide paths that haven't run in decades and which ripped down huge, mature trees.   We have also found many more fallen trees than normal, significant trail erosion, sloughing hillsides, and extraordinary plant growth.   Our volunteers have worked hard to reestablish the friendly path so trail users may continue to enjoy it.

In late June we assembled for our two-day Colorado Trail Maintenance Camp Social.   There were about a dozen workers each day and we were able to concentrate our energy on trail work thanks to horse packer, Ed Zink, whose animals carried our camping gear.   Big fun to be camping deep in the woods and working together to care for the trail.   It is real exercise, very social, and super productive all at the same time.   An unusual benefit this year was to view the remnants of three large avalanches.   The snow ran with incredible force down the gullies and brought with it mature trees and soil and rocks.   The slides ripped apart everything in their path and left humongus piles of debris.   It will be late summer (at least) before the remaining snow melts and exposes more debris.   Our crews will have to rework these areas periodically to keep them passable and try to reestablish the trail underneath.   Horse users should know that these avalanche debris zones are probably impassable with their 4-legged animals.   An experienced horseman who surveyed the area could not see any safe way for horse riders to pass through.

Earlier, on the first Saturday in June, we assembled to celebrate National Trails Day.   This was our 13th year for joining all the volunteers across the nation who participate in trail work.   We focused on the COLORADO TRAIL .   There were 20 of us working to keep our state's most visible trail in good condition.   It was a beautiful day and the forest was super green from all this year's moisture.   We worked on water diversions and trimming.   It was hard work but everyone enjoyed the company of other volunteers, and the trail users that passed by were all really appreciative.   We also worked on HOFFHEINS CONNECTION and our efforts will help the trails stay in good condition for years to come.

AVALANCHE CLEARING

Trail volunteers are absolutely the best - and they love the COLORADO TRAIL.   We assembled in August to fix the trail where avalanches had burried it.   What a huge effort.

The snow in the avalanche paths didn't melt until late August.   We finally started hearing from trail users that they thought most of the snow had melted and that's what we needed to begin our work.   We scheduled a big Saturday and called on the troops.   Ten of us met at the DRY FORK TRAILHEAD for the 11 mile uphill bicycle ride to the slide paths.   We trailered 2 chainsaws and a generous horse packer carried our hand tools.   All of us knew we were in for a big day when we felt exhaustion even before we started working.   No matter, it was a spectacular Colorado mountain day, made extra beautiful by the lush greenery from all this year's moisture.   We began our tasks of removing avalanche debris and pruning growth that narrowed the trail.

Our work went really well and we succeeded in making the path friendly again, easily passable for all users uncluding horse riders.   By the time we were out of the mountains, each of us had put in a 12 hour day.   It was fun.   We were pooped, but gratified with a tremendous sense of accomplishment for having fixed the trail once again.

DURANGO NATURE STUDIES
NATURE CENTER TRAILS

Trails 2000 has a long history of working with Durango Nature Studies and they enlisted us again this year to help them at the DURANGO NATURE CENTER.   We teamed up to enhance their walking trail network in preparation for the 1,000 kids who visit each spring as part of the "Children Discovering Nature" program.

The Nature Center is a wonderful pinyon juniper landscape on the Florida River south of Durango.   Nature Studies contacted Trails 2000 and asked us to expand their trail system to accomodate their growing programs.   Together we launched into a collaborative effort, surveyed the area, identified desirable, nature-oriented locations, and did the prep work for the first big volunteer day.   Both groups communicated with members asking for volunteers.   High Noon Rotary assisted and put out a call-to-action to their membership.

On Saturday, April 2, we had a huge showing and a beautiful day.   Fifty (50) volunteers showed up to help and we worked speedily together to finish the trail upgrades.   The work was fun and challenging and the enthusiastic volunteers seemed to enjoy themselves and the company of others.   We shared a big sense of accomplishment having completed the project and knowing how much we helped Durango Nature Studies.   Cool.

A second effort was held to celebrate Earth Day and this time we had the assistance of employees of BP.   They worked really hard and enjoyed a spectacular afternoon as we enhanced this trail system and the surrounding environment.   The Nature Center is now in great shape and working well for all the Durango Nature Studies programs including Kids Discovering Nature.

TRAIL for AFFORDABLE HOUSING RESIDENTS

The Durango community is, like many others, challenged by affordable housing needs.   Fortunately, progress is being made including the recent completion of VALLE DE MERCED along Goeglein Gulch Road.   The housing project contains some 40 subsidized units and is fully occupied and has a waiting list.

Trails 2000 got a chance to assist with this affordable neighborhood and complete a trail connector from the apartments to the Powerline Trail that is part of the extensive Telegraph Trail System.   Affordable housing residents can now gain easier and safer access to the trails network and enjoy the benefits of fresh air and exercise that trail access brings.

Trail planning began with Mercy Housing when they purchased the land and proposed the affordable apartments.   They worked with the City of Durango and included in their development plan a trail connection.   Trails 2000 agreed to construct the path when the time was right.   After the completion of the apartments, the City asked our group to more accurately survey the hillside and identify the trail alignment and coordinate with all parties to place the trail.

Trails 2000 volunteers rallied to build the path on successive Wednesday afternoons, with a total of 37 volunteers working hard to create a friendly and sustainable trail that makes sense for people and the environment.   The new trail turned out really well.   It's very gentle and friendly and perfectly suited to the residents at Valle de Merced.   They now have easy and safe access to one of Durango's best trail systems.

Animas River Trail
Main Avenue Underpass Complete !!

Congratulations to the Durango community; the downtown missing link is now a beautiful trail connection! Thanks go out to everyone who helped with the Main Avenue Underpass; it has made the Animas River Trail so much more useful.   The new underpass opened officially on September 13th and the facility is already being used by a steady stream of outdoor enthusiasts taking advantage of the safe crossing underneath Main Avenue where they arenÕt facing the hazard of automobile traffic.   There are families recreating, commuters traveling to and from all kinds of destinations, visitors sauntering, kids with their friends, walkers, bicyclists, fishermen, joggers - an incredibly broad range of people in our community.   Folks here really enjoy the outdoors, our fantastic weather, the trail systems and the Animas River.

We think this trail underpass is of great value to the community.   It serves so many, increases safety, provides a non-vehicle transportation corridor, is a significant recreation amenity, and honors the Animas River.   Trails 2000 is proud of our involvement.   We didnÕt do a lot, but we were involved in the early stages of study, alignment identification, advocacy and encouragement.   Again, we thank everyone involved including the Durango City Council and staff.

PIONEER TRAIL BENEATH MISSIONARY RIDGE

Trails 2000 partnered with both the Forest Service and private landowners to establish this reroute, the PIONEER TRAIL from FLORIDA ROAD towards MISSIONARY RIDGE.   The old trail had long been the subject of a dispute.   Finally the court judge issued a decree instructing the parties to realign the trail in a mutually acceptable location.   Trails 2000 board member, Daryl Crites, helped identify and survey the new route.   The Forest Service began working their part while the private landowner agreed to perform his end of the bargain.   The realigned trail would become public and have a parking facility at the lower end.   Trails 2000 was contacted to assist.

In July the Forest Service roughed in the new route using a rented machine and a hired operator and, after a full week's effort they were ready for Trails 2000 volunteer crew help.   After our normal reconnaisance, planning and communication prep work, Trails 2000 volunteers assembled on three Wednesday afternoons to fine tune the path and craft the drainage structures.   Thanks to the involvement of some energetic trail enthusiasts, we were able to finish the trail so it is both user friendly and sustainable.   People who help with trail work are really the best.   Thank them if you have a chance; we all benefit.

Still in the works on this large scale project are some access improvements including a parking facility and upgraded driveway and gate relocation.   The private landowner is attending to these pieces in partnership with the rest of us.   The public is discovering the new route, 1.1 miles long in a nicely wooded gully, and beginning to use it for outings.   The new trail provides a great out-and-back hike or run, and serves cyclists on their way to more lengthy excursions along Missionary Ridge.   The size and configuration of the soon to be constructed parking lot will not likely accommodate horse trailers very well, so horse riders may wish to drive farther uphill to the Forest Boundary where there is a larger parking facility that has been available for some years.   Enjoy!

FALLEN TREE REMOVAL

We have been busy removing the perennial downed trees that fall across the trails.   This is a yearly task for Trails 2000 and it always amazes us just how normal it is for so many trees fall over each year.   We do this work in small groups mostly in the early season and we go where we've heard of fallen trees.   Each year our efforts are supplemented by major help from some of you energetic trail users who have moved trees as you've encountered them.   We sure appreciate all of the volunteer assistance.   This year trees have been cleared from Colorado Trail (several segmants), Dry Fork Trail, Hoffheins Connection, Sale Barn Canyon, South Rim, Carbon Junction, Crites Connect, Sidewinder, White Creek, Engineer Mountain, Corral Draw, and Hermosa Creek Trail.

PUBLIC LANDS ACCESS
CLIMBING AREA ABOVE EAST ANIMAS ROAD

In April we got together to the BUILD THE FOOTBRIDGE.   Last year we established the permanent public access to the climbing crags above East Animas Road.   We built the off-street parking and the new trail.Trails 2000, climbing access partners, and the BLM have now completed the required footbridge across the irrigation ditch, plus we enhanced the approach trail.

PROJECT HISTORY: The climbing area in Durango above East Animas Road is a cherished resource with several crags that include "The Watch Crystal".   Public access efforts date back many years, with familiar circumstances: a public road near public lands, but with private land in between -- and no legal right to access our public land.
Jeff Singer loved climbing here and he worked on access issues with private landowners and other climbers.   When Jeff passed away, friends and family made donations to Trails 2000 and the San Juan Mountains Association.   In Jeff's memory, we initiated the project of acquiring permanent, legal access to the climbing area.

BIG SUCCESS: A partnership was built and we have succeeded in establishing permanent legal access to the climbing cliffs on public land.   The new parking lot is complete along with the new access trail.   This year we finished the approach trail and footbridge and will, hopefully soon, install the trailhead sign.

PARTNERS: Private landowners Tony Richter and Alfred & Suzie Robbins are to be commended, they were contacted and, thankfully, willing to work towards permanent access.   The BLM negotiated and paid for the first-ever, legal easements to these public lands, for both off-street parking and newly aligned trail.   Federal land officials also designed the facility and coordinated the work.   La Plata County and C & J Gravel teamed up on the construction of the new parking lot. The Climbers' Access Fund supplemented the effort with a financial grant.   Moreno Surveying assisted with maps.   La Plata Electric Association moved a power pole and support structure to facilitate the driveway.   Eric Walecki and Walecki Construction helped in a big way with the bridge construction.   Other parties helped too; this was a truly successful working partnership.

MODEL PROJECT: We hope this project serves as a model for solving the many public lands access issues in our area.   This access for climbers is just one of the many access needs identified in the La County Trails Master Plan.   Hopefully our community will continue working together toward public lands access.

YOUTH

Trails 2000 gets together with kids a number of times each year to educate and do trail work.   In June, July, and August, we teamed up with the Durango Mountain Bike Camp and worked a segments of the Rim Trail and connectors to the Powerline Trail.   We have also been joined this year by kids from La Plata Youth Services and Southwest Youth Corps.   The kids are really helpful -- they pick up a lot of knowledge about trails and learn about all the work that goes into caring for our trail systems.

TRAIL SIGNS

Trails 2000 replaced some of our trail intersection signs this year.   Our reconnaissance identified certain signs that were delaminating.   Further study identified the problem as a bad batch of materials.   The sun had degraded a few signs and nearly destroyed them.   Several volunteers came to the rescue and refurbished the signs so they once again provide users with useful information.   This work in Horse Gulch, Amimas Mountain, and elsewhere keeps our trails friendly and helps the environment by encouraging users to stay on the trails.

WATER DIVERSIONS FOR SUSTAINABILITY

Trail maintenance, while there is a lot to it, is largely about managing the rain water.   You need to divert the runoff so it won't erode the trail and take the soil away.   Dirt is what makes an enjoyable and sustainable trail.   Our crews have been working on water drains.   Already this season we have worked in Horse Gulch on the Meadow Loop and Telegraph Trail, as well as Stacy's and Cuchillo.   We have refurbished drains in Durango on the Lions Den and Nature Trails.   Our volunteers have expended serious effort in the San Juan National Forest on the Colorado Trail and Hoffheins Connection, where we added new drainage structures as well as maintaining existing ones.   We craft each of these features carefully so that they'll be long lasting.   Our group will continue this work all season.   Diverting the runoff is essential -- it keeps our trails in good shape.