Club News: Rockies

IMBA Trail News
Volume 16, Number 5
Winter 2003

Winter has hit the Rockies, forcing most trailbuilders in the region to put away their Pulaskis for the next few months. Fortunately, volunteers were able to complete the Evans Creek re-route in Rancho San Rafael Park in Reno, Nevada, just before the heavy snows fell. The Truckee Meadows Trails Association contracted with IMBA's Trail Solutions program to build a 1.5-mile re-route that connects downtown Reno to the National Forest. Re-route construction began at the 2003 Western Trailbuilders Association Conference (www.trailbuilders.org). Technical features will be added to the trail at this year's conference.

The Colorado Plateau Mountain Bike Association (COPMOBA) recently re-routed the Holy Cross Trail near Grand Junction, Colorado. This spur of the Tabeguache Trail was closed because of heavy erosion. COPMOBA and the Bureau of Land Management will work in 2004 to reopen the trail.

IMBA's Action Alert regarding the BLM's North Fruita Desert Management Plan generated more than 300 response letters (www.imba.com/news/action_alerts). IMBA and local recreation and conservation groups continue to work with the BLM to determine the management future of this area. Meanwhile, the recently released Colorado Canyons National Conservation Area Draft Resource Management Plan includes alternatives that call for expansion of the famous Kokopelli trail system. More info: www.co.blm.gov/cocandrmp/cocandrmp_index.htm.