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
A wet spring brought on a month or two of fast, tacky conditions and many trails stayed dry into November.
Each season – after the dust settles – RFMBA likes to take some time to reflect on what we accomplished in the past year and what our goals should be in the upcoming season.
This year we built new trails, flagged routes for future trails, lopped back overgrowth on existing trails, and even brought back a few lost and forgotten routes than need to be on your bucket list!
In 2019, RFMBA’s programs focused on maintaining, sustaining, and improving the existing trail network in the Roaring Fork Valley totaled 7,775 hours. Judging by that number alone, 2019 was a banner year for our trail efforts!
One thing to keep in mind. While, for example, we can quantify the number of miles the RFMBA Trail Crew cleared on a particular trail, we have difficulty knowing the miles of smiles that were spontaneously generated on the people riding that trail. How can one measure the bonds strengthened between riding buddies or the know the value of a soul searching solo ride at sunset?
For those things we can only guess the impact we are having judged by your continued membership, donations and volunteer support. Without you, there would not be an RFMBA and we certainly would not be enjoying so many trails, so close to home.
To those of you in the RFMBA family, we salute you and look forward to many more years and many more trails! Thanks to RFMBA members, supporters, and volunteers, RFMBA’s mission to create and sustain the best possible mountain bike trail system in the Roaring Fork Valley is moving forward!
The following is a report on the pertinent numbers we were able to quantify. The numbers of times you caught your breath at the top of a climb, or amount of time you were able to feel the rush of dropping into Father of Ginormous or Sunnyside or Grandstaff or Lightning Bug… that’s for you to keep track of… or not. It’s up to you.
Enjoy the ride! …. And see you next season.
RFMBA’s Trail Agent Program trains and empowers volunteers to perform basic trail maintenance on their own time, with tasks and time reported through our online reporting system, unself.com.
The training program was developed as part of Volunteer Outdoor Colorado’s Outdoor Stewardship Institute. RFMBA intends to direct additional resources towards the program in coming years, increasing training opportunities and overall volunteer efforts dedicated to maintaining existing trails.
Trail Agent Program, total hours reported through Unself: 385 hours. Trails maintained include 242 hours on BLM trails & 74 hours on WRNF trails:
RFMBA’s Seasonal Trail Crew Program hires, trains and manages seasonal staff to perform basic trail maintenance, improve trails and trailheads, and in limited cases, assist with new trail build projects. The crew’s program of work focuses broadly on high-use front country trails and remote backcountry trails open to mountain bikes.
During 2019, the crew size ranged from 2 to 4 members from May through October. RFMBA intends to diversify funding sources for the program, ensuring the long term sustainability of the program.
Seasonal Trail Crew Program, total trail work hours: 2,250 hours
White River National Forest: 536 hours
RFMBA schedules, promotes, and manages public volunteer projects for
approved trail construction projects, open space clean-up efforts, and bike park maintenance projects.
Additionally, RFMBA is pleased to partner with Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers throughout the summer season by helping to select and promote public projects that improve trails open to bikes, and by managing our Volunteer Incentive Bike Giveaway Program that awards a lucky volunteer with a new full suspension mountain bike.
During summer 2019, RFMBA secured funding to contract and manage 11 weeks of Rocky Mt. Youth Corp crews to construct the Vasten Trail on the BLM’s Crown SRMA. Each week a crew of 10 worked 40 hours each resulting in 400 hours per week and 4,400 total hours for the project
When complete, the Palisade Plunge will connect the top of the Grand Mesa (10,700′) to the Town of Palisade, CO, (4,700′) via 32 miles of superb quality back-country singletrack with 6,000’ of vertical relief. COPMOBA Board President, Scott Winans, states “Phase I construction of the Palisade Plunge project began in July of this year. Our trail is being forged through remote, rough, and beautiful country – a slow and painstaking process to create the physical trail that has taken so much time, effort, and partnership to plan and execute over the past many years. When viewed in terms of typical trail projects, the Plunge has happened at light speed. This is due to the tremendous community support for the idea and commitments made by all partners in the process.
Nearly half of the Phase I trail mileage is now complete, including some of the toughest construction areas on the route, and work continues with three construction crews active on the ground. When complete in Spring-Summer next year, Phase I work will provide ~16 mi of trail along the stunning west flank of the Grand Mesa. You’ll find some high-speed flow, back-country feel, stunning views of our country, and a ride you will not forget.”
If you would like to donate to help build the plunge CLICK HERE
Our Fall Membership Drive was a great success thanks to all of you who joined or renewed your membership to RFMBA!
More people joining = more resources = more trails close to home!
Your membership supports great local trails like Hummingbird, Vasten, Grandstaff, Prince Creek and more!
| Red Table Trail, go get it! Perfect fall conditions right now. |
| Looking to ride or run a backcountry trail this weekend? Go find yourself on the Red Table Trail above Basalt Mtn. This area was not hit by last summer’s fire, but it did have about 90 trees down, blocking the path over recent years.Find the lower end of the trail at the 3 way intersection with Cattle Creek Trail & Basalt Mt. Trail. You could ride it as part of a big day with the ‘upper loop’, finishing down Cattle Creek Trail, or drive up Basalt Mt. Rd. for an out and back on Basalt Mt. Trail + Red Table Trail. The leaves are turning right now, gorgeous up there CLICK HERE FOR RED TABLE TRAIL ON MTB PROJECT |
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