Somewhere Over the Rainbow in Salida, Colorado

Weekend work maintains more than 2000 feet of the Rainbow Trail.

An enthusiastic group gathers on BLM property at S-Mountain to learn the basics of trail assessment, design and layout.
IMBA Trailbuilding School participants learn how to improve drainage by installing knicks and rolling grade dips.
Mark uses a rubber ball to demonstrate how water flows through a rolling grade dip.
Big IMBA supporters Tony and Danna Boone of Arrowhead Trails lend a hand with trail maintenance.
Trail improvements were noticed by more than just hikers, bikers, and motorcyclists; a big cat kept an eye on the volunteers while they worked.

April brought Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew leaders Mark Schmidt and Lora Woolner to beautiful Salida, Colorado. Few places boast the hundreds of miles of high alpine trails and jaw-dropping views you find here. Tucked in Colorado's banana belt at the headwaters of the Arkansas River, this little town is an outdoor enthusiast's mecca.

The focus for the weekend's work was the Rainbow Trail, which winds its way for 100 miles on National Forest land. Although most of the trail is in good condition, one seven-mile section has steep 25 percent grades and is discouraging for even the most hearty mountain bikers. Since a reroute was out of the question for this visit, the team of volunteers worked to improve drainage on the trail by installing knicks and rolling grade dips, de-berming, and armoring with rock where necessary. The eager group maintained more than 2000 feet of trail, and the Forest Service is thrilled with the results.

Mike Sugaski of the Forest Service's Salida Ranger District summed up the visit: "The Subaru/IMBA Trail Care Crew did an outstanding job of bringing a variety of trail users together, and showing us not only state-of-the-art trailbuilding and maintenance techniques but - even more importantly - how trail advocates and agencies can work together."

In addition to working on the Rainbow Trail, volunteers assessed some unofficial trails on BLM land close to town. Sugaski addressed this phenomenon: "There is a concern by the agencies and some locals that there are too many user-created trails being constructed with no consideration for the landscape or the plants and animals. What this tells me is that there are not enough challenging trails in Salida for the number of advanced mountain bikers. IMBA showed how trails don't have to be 'sanitized' to be compatible with the landscape. Working together, agencies and trail advocates can build better trails that are enjoyable, challenging, and light on the land."

A special thanks to Bongo Billy's Salida Cafe, who hosted the "Around the World with IMBA" slideshow, and to Absolute Bikes, a long-time IMBA supporter who helped with Lora's new ride.