BLM/Courtesy Photo
The Bureau of Land Management has approved the construction of nearly 12 miles of new single-track mountain bike trails, along with the designation of nearly 10 miles of two-track foot and horse trails in the popular Crown Special Recreation Management Area between Carbondale and Basalt.
According to a press release, the BLM Colorado River Valley Field Office worked closely with the Roaring Fork Mountain Bike Association and the Roaring Fork Valley Horse Council to develop a trail system that increases recreational opportunities while reducing conflicts among various trail users.
“These trail adjustments will help us better meet our objectives for managing this recreation area for public benefit,” said BLM Colorado River Valley Field Manager Larry Sandoval in the release.
“Our partnerships with trail users were key to developing this effective trail system.”
Added Mike Pritchard, executive director of the Roaring Fork Mountain Bike Association, “The Roaring Fork Mountain Bike Association is pleased to continue our partnership with the BLM to evolve the single-track trail system on the Crown.
The RFMBA is working with other community organizations to coordinate multiple volunteer events. For 10 weeks this summer, Rocky Mountain Youth Corps crews will be building many of the newly approved trails.
The routes currently open to public motorized travel on the Crown will not change under the BLM decision.
The BLM will begin posting the new trail designations this season. Construction of the new trails is expected to begin yet this spring.
A map of the new trail designation is available at https://go.usa.gov/xmbbK.