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 Saturday, December 1st
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.
: Winter seasonal closure from December 1 through April 15.Named for it’s utility in connecting the Prince Creek trail network towards Dinkle Lake and the Hay Park trail, the trail connects Next Jen to the Divide Parking Lot Trailhead located at the top of Prince Creek Rd. and West Sopris Creek Rd. The trail continues to the southwest of this parking lot trailhead to connect more directly to Dinkle Lake Rd.
The trail is mostly an easy climb when connecting towards Next Jen from the Divide parking area. You’ll encounter sage fields, oak tree groves, and some shale bluffs along the way. The best feature of this trail might be the prominent views of Mount Sopris.
Some riders might arrange a shuttle from this relatively high location, heading up the trail to Next Jen, then descending towards Creek Side or climbing more to enjoy a descent of Skull Bucket Trail before continuing to Skill Saw (Lower Creek Side) and Monte Carlo and the lower Prince Creek area trails.
If you’re looking for a big climb while limiting time on roads, start down on Prince Creek Trail, continue up Monte Carlo, Skill Saw (Lower Creek Side) Creek Side, and Next Jen, use this trail to connect to Dinkle Lake Rd. and continue to a high point at the big view meadows of Hay Park trail before retracing your route back down.
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!
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.
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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