If you have not witnessed first-hand the new trails in South Canyon, it’s probably time you did. The Tramway and Lightning Bug trails are open throughout the winter as long as conditions permit –  frozen dirt/snow (no mud).

The newly completed Coal Camp trail and parking area, open for riding only briefly in November, is now CLOSED for the season.

To access Tramway and Lightning Bug trails riders are asked to ride the Tramway trail, and avoid riding the road and/or entering at the Coal Camp trailhead.

Also, please enjoy the bridge crossing the creek at the bottom of the Tramway trail. This bridge’s former home was at the bottom of the Jeanne Golay and Grandstaff trails and was not often used.  Now, at it’s new home at the bottom of South Canyon, the bridge will surely be used more frequently.

RFMBA is helping create new signs and maps of the new South Canyon trail system that will be posted next spring.

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Pitkin County Commissioners will take up final approval of the Carbondale to Crested Butte Trail Plan on December 19th in the Board of County Commissioners meeting room in Aspen. The county administration building is located at 530 E. Main St. The meeting will begin at noon.

On Nov. 7th in Carbondale, the Open Space and Trails Board conducted a public hearing on the plan and then voted 4-1 to approve the plan and recommend its approval by county commissioners. The commissioners’ action to adopt the resolution on first reading followed.

Second and final reading of the resolution is scheduled Dec. 19th, as is a public hearing before commissioners on the plan. Members of the public will each be given 5 minutes to present their input to commissioners.

Anyone interested in giving their input about the creation of this great trail but cannot make the meeting can contact all the Pitkin County Board of County Commissioners via this EMAIL address.

In addition to your comments on support for the trail, we suggest adding a note to the commissioners thanking them for supporting this plan in the past.

Please take the time to let the BOCC know you would benefit from this trail and encourage them to approve the trail on December 19th.

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Have you wondered what it’s like to race the Aspen Fifty? Check out this video to see what it’s all about.

Local racers dominated the 2018 WEDU Aspen FIFTY race held Saturday, September 15th.

Aspen’s John Gaston, also known for holding the most Highland Bowl ski laps in a day – 11, won the race in 3 hours, 20 minutes. Dean Hill scored second place in 3:34. Greg Strokes third in 3:36. Mark Johnson, riding a single-speed rigid fork mountain bike, took fourth at 3:42 and RFMBA Trail Agent Race Team member Butch Peterson rounded out the top five by nipping Steamboat’s Zack Dolzani in a sprint finish.

Aspen local Elsa Lapeze won the women’s division in 5:04 ahead of second place Roxanne Hall at 5:21. Tess Strokes was third 5:46; Carroline Torry fourth at 5:46.

Continue reading 2018 WEDU Aspen 50 Video Recap →

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Mountain biking on Sutey Ranch in the future is not guaranteed. The riding community needs you and all your riding buddies to tell the BLM that you want bike trails on Sutey Ranch.  You can tell them at the open house or via email.

CLICK HERE TO EMAIL YOUR COMMENTS TO THE BLM

“Public involvement will again be critical as we develop a final proposed alternative,” said Acting BLM Colorado River Valley Field Manager Gloria Tibbetts. “The more specific the comments to the information in the alternatives, the more helpful and effective they will be.”

The preliminary envioronmental assessment analyzes three possible management alternatives for Sutey Ranch:

• Wildlife and hunting or
• Equestrian access or
• Mountain Biking and Hiking 

The final proposed alternative may be a blend of more than one alternative.

The BLM will be hosting a public open house in Carbondale to help answer questions and take written comments.

• When: Thursday Oct. 25 from 4 to 7 p.m
• Where: Carbondale at the Third Street Center, 520 Third St.

More information about the parcels and the planning process is available at https://go.usa.gov/xnvM5.

Comments may be e-mailed to blm_co_sutey_haines_rmpa@blm.govor mailed to BLM, 2300 River Frontage Road, Silt, CO 81652, Attn: Sutey Ranch Management Plan.

This is what RFMBA is advocating for:

RFMBA has been envisioning (and discussing with Red Hill Council members) two trails open to bikes from the new Sutey trailhead to allow for a loop experience vs. an out-and-back.

Current trail concepts would allow for connection from the existing Sutey Trailhead to Red Hill’s Big Top trail and the Northside Loop.

We are not advocating for access to the existing ranch roads which mostly coincide with the open meadows/fields favored by wildlife.

Comments will be most helpful if received by Nov. 5, 2018.

CLICK HERE TO EMAIL YOUR COMMENTS TO THE BLM

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