On August 1st, the RFMBA Seasonal Trail Crew climbed, traversed, and descended the full Arbaney-Kittle Trail from Larkspur Mountain to Basalt on bikes with a mission to clear as many fallen trees as possible … all while on a big 24 mile ride.

Dozens of trees big and small are now cut out of the way, allowing riders to fly through long sections of sweet singletrack. The hike-a-bike ridge crux is still a route finding adventure, overgrown segments remain part of the backcountry charm … and while 18 fallen trees remain, they have all been de-limbed for an easy hop or carry over.

Bring a hand saw and tackle a few of the remaining trees if you choose to tackle this classic trail adventure!

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This is a sensitive time for our neighboring elk herds in the valley.  Please respect all trail closures.   Elk show a strong fidelity to the calving area in Burnt Mountain, from Snowmass Village to Buttermilk and a number of other areas that we share.

Here is a quick rundown of what is still closed and a few options for what is open.

Annual Closure Dates for some Snowmass Village Trails:
April 25 – June 21, (open on June 22nd)

Tom Blake
Anaerobic Nightmare
Sequel
Government Trail (portions)

Sky Mountain Park, North Rim and Seven Star Open May 16

Also of note: Glassier Open Space in the Mid-Valley opens May 16th. (Lower Buckhorn, Buckhorn Traverse and the rest of the Crown is good to go as of April 16th)

Open Trails During this Time Period:
Highline / Lowline
Rim Trail South (Mtn View to Sinclair)
Ditch Trail
Stark’s Trail to Powerline Trail
Elk Camp Work Road & Sam’s Knob
Prince Creek
The Crown
Red Hill
Grandstaff
Stairway to Heaven

The number of calves born annually has decreased significantly.  Numerous biological studies date back to 1974 to support the area closure for elk calving. In addition, wildlife cameras show deer fawns, bear cubs, moose and mountain lion. As trail & public land supporters, please help us protect the sanctuary in your back yard.

Ducking ropes in sensitive wildlife areas is not a good idea.

“We are lucky enough to have a wildlife presence in our own backyard that rivals national parks,” Laurie Smith, Snowmass Village animal services officer, said in a statement. “Protecting these species is so important that all four entities that manage our integrated trail system are working together to improve trail signage and public information on the seasonal closures.”

Wildlife monitoring cameras in 2017 revealed multiple closure violations by trail users, according to a statement from the town of Snowmass Village.

All violators were identified and cited. Stress and disturbance from humans can lead to abandonment of this critical habitat. Cow elk are recovering from winter and need to forage and nurse without disruption.

“It’s up to all of us — mountain bikers, hikers, or dog walkers — to respect these constraints to allow our local wildlife population to thrive,” Smith said.

The public is advised to honor closure gates and signs. Violators will be fined between $50 and $5,000

Please call Snowmass Village Animal Services at (970) 923-5330 with any questions or to report trail poachers.

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The new Prince Creek (Climbing) Trail is open for business!

Consider this an upper extension of last fall’s access climbing trail on @pitkinost land and easements (parallel to paved portion of PC Rd).

This new trail was approved by BLM to reduce conflicts, and allows the lowest portion of Monte Carlo Trail to now be downhill direction only!

Due to current BLM land boundary, you’ll need to pedal up the road a short ways to find the new trail entrance on your left.

More signage is planned for the PC area trails in coming weeks to clarify these changes.

Big thanks to our volunteers, many of them RFMBA board members in this case, who helped get this trail open so early in the riding season! Special thanks to Bruce H. The Wood Doctor who crafted the new removable bridge over the ditch (to allow for annual ditch maintenance), and thanks to Lowe’s for some of the materials we needed!

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Muddy Trails
As winter in the upper valley fades, and warm spring days have certainly arrived in the lower valley and beyond,  many of us are slowly turning our attention back to bikes and dirt trails.  

Mother Nature, however, may have other plans. Colorado’s weather has been known to be a bit two-faced.  When the weather turns this time of year, trails conditions can get ugly fast. Please do not ride overly muddy trails!  If your tires are leaving ruts and your feet sink into the ground the trail is too muddy.  Please don’t walk around the mud and off the trail – keep the singletrack single!.  Instead, turn around and choose an alternate route or come back when it’s had a day or more to fully dry out.

Seasonal Closures
It’s also a good time of year to be mindful of seasonal closures.  Having full compliance with official closures established by public land mangers, especially by mountain bikers, can make a big difference for wildlife during a sensitive time of year.  Respect for the closures also makes it easier for mountain bikers to retain access to the trails we love & to get approval for new and improved trails in the Roaring Fork Valley.

• While most of Red Hill has been dry for weeks, Elk Traverse, North Side, Outer, and Sage loops all open on April 16th.

• At Prince Creek, everything above Monte Carlo is also closed until April 16th.

• Speaking of Prince Creek, the portion of the Rio Grande Trail between Rock Bottom Ranch and Catherine’s Store Road that makes the Prince Creek Loop possible is closed until May 1st.

• Moving further up valley, Glassier Open Space, Rim Trail,  and Sky Mountain Park open on May 16th.

• All of the Snowmass Village trails. . . Tom Blake, Anaerobic Nightmare, and everything in the Bike Park are closed from April 25th to June 21st.

• Government Trail East of Elk Camp Work Road is closed May 15th to June 21st.

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