Club News: Rockies

IMBA Trail News
Volume 14, Number 3
Summer 2001

Once upon a time, high in the Colorado Rocky Mountains, there was a happy tree living next to a trail. Sure, the tree was a small obstacle that made mountain bikers slow down to maneuver around it, but it added character to the trail. Unfortunately, someone decided that the tree was an undesirable barrier to their rush to get from point A to point B, so last week they cut the tree down at the stump. One more challenge gone. One more wider trail. The moral of the story? Think before you cut! Not only is felling trees on public land illegal, it also changes the essence of a trail. What may be a nuisance to some is a delight to others.

A stunning, above-timberline singletrack trail only 40 miles from Denver is in danger of being closed. Rogers Pass Trail above Winter Park sits in the middle of the James Peak Wilderness area proposed by Colorado Representative Mark Udall. Since bicycling is prohibited in designated Wilderness, IMBA has carefully analyzed the proposal and, for the most part, supports the area proposed for Wilderness designation. However, the Rogers Pass Trail is one of the few remaining above-timberline singletrack trails along the Front Range, and is popular among Winter Park cyclists. IMBA is asking mountain bikers to submit comment letters. More info: imba.com.

Looking for the next mountain biking destination? Look no further than Rapelje, Montana... that is if you can find it, since it's not on most maps. Rapelje, located 37 miles northwest of Billings, was on brink of becoming a ghost town when locals determined that mountain biking could save it. The town has worked to create a mapped network of trails, and hosted a 24-hour race this summer. We'll tell you more about Rapelje in future ITNs but for now, check out "GO" two columns to the right.