The City of Glenwood Springs Parks and Recreation Commission has chosen to change the current wildlife closure dates for the upper and lower Coal Camp loops in South Canyon. The new dates are as follows:

• Lower Coal Camp Loop will be closed Dec. 1 through April 30, open on May 1st.
• The Upper Coal Camp Trail will be closed Dec. 1 through May 15, open on May 16. 

City of Glenwood Springs Parks and Recreation Commission warns users that the spring opening day may be delayed due to high snow or large numbers of elk in the area.

The first big trail opening day of the season has arrived, but Mother Nature has decided to put the riding on hold untl sunny days and warm temperatures awaken the trails from their winter hibernation.

*** Keep in mind, it’s still only April and just because a trail is open, doesn’t mean you should ride it. If you encounter wet and/or snowy/muddy conditions, please turn back. Ride Dirt, Not Mud! .

When conditions permit, here are some of the popular trails open today, April 16th, 2020:

PRINCE CREEK:

• North Porcupine
• Innie
• Outie
• Father of Ginormous
• Trough
• Next Jen
• Skull Bucket

NORTH SIDE OF CROWN

• Buckhorn
• Lower Buckhorn
• Buckhorn Traverse
• Vasten (Upper portions still hold snow.  Expect to be turned around by snowfields and large wet/muddy sections up high)

 *** IMPORTANT *** Riders can access or exit Lower Buckhorn from Rio Grande only East of the Catherine Store seasonal closure.  The Catherine Store section of the Rio Grande Trail is still closed and will be opening April 30th at 5 pm.

NOTE: Anyone planning to ride the “Up and Over” loop from Prince Creek to Rio Grande and back to Carbondale should be aware that they will need to detour through El Jebel until the Catherine Store section reopens at the end of April. 

* Glassier Trail IS NOT OPEN. So the Glassier/Buckhorn loop is NOT an option. Glassier opens May 16th. 

RED HILL

• Elk Traverse and beyond

NEW CASTLE

• Stairway to Heaven and beyond 

GLENWOOD SPRINGS

• South Canyon’s Lightning Bug and Tramway
• Wulfson Trails
• Grandstaff – Note: most of Grandstaff is still under plenty of snow.

---

What is still closed to riding:

• Glassier Trail – opens May 16th
• Coal Camp loops in South Canyon – the City of Glenwood Springs will open these trails when the snow melts.
• Just about every trail upvalley from El Jebel  – Sky Mountain Park is scheduled to open May 16th.
• Anything wet and muddy or under snow.

Here are the official closing dates for some of the more popular trails.  Of course,  any trail that is open yet wet or muddy should be left to dry out or freeze before riding.

For a complete list, check out the trail conditions on RFMBA.org or MTB Project.  Continue reading End of Season Trail Closures Begin December 1st →

Standing on a recently installed new bridge, Glenwood Springs Mayor Jonathan Godes and Roaring Fork Mountain Bike Association (RFMBA) Executive Director Mike Pritchard cut the red ribbon to celebrate the addition of three new trails to the South Canyon Trail System.

In 2015, RFMBA worked on a concept trails plan for areas surrounding the city. The plan studied how to evolve current trails, but also identified land for potential new trail systems.

Shortly after its completion, the city and Garfield County helped with getting the wheels rolling even more so by contributing funds to RFMBA and its partners’ efforts.

Read the full article by Matthew Bennett in the Glenwood Post Independent

This is an easier blue trail that can be ridden as a short out-and-back, or the start of a mostly downhill shuttle ride.

Description