June 2023 Newsletter

National Trails Day  Last weekend, 54 volunteers joined SMT and Central Colorado Mountain Riders (CCMR) on National Trails Day to work on the Rainbow Trail. We also had staff/board from both nonprofits, plus staff from the U.S. Forest Service and Colorado Parks and Wildlife. We made major progress, improving about 4 miles of the Rainbow Trail east of FR108, including some of the sections most impacted by fire and erosion. Thank you to all who pitched in!

FIBike — Ride or volunteer to support SMT The FIBike MTB Race is next weekend — Sunday, June 18! In SMT’s first year running the event, we’re offering two course options (12 miles and 24 miles). Registration proceeds support SMT, which means you can enjoy riding the trails while raising money to make those trails even better. Sign Up To Ride You can also support SMT by volunteering for FIBike and/or the 10K Trail Run held on the same day. Volunteers make fun events like this possible, so please lend a hand if you’re available. Volunteer

Gravel on Saturday, trails on Sunday  

Two more races that provide funding for SMT! Part of Salida Bike Fest, the Salida76 gravel race returns this year on Saturday, September 16. Then on Sunday 9/17, it’s the Banana Belt MTB Race. Sign up for one or both races to enjoy some of the best dirt around, while supporting some of the best trails around, too.

SALIDA 76: LEARN MORE + SIGN UP BANANA BELT: SIGN UP TO RIDE

Join SMT’s Board 

SMT is seeking new board members to help us fulfill our mission to plan, build and maintain world-class trails. If you want to take on a leadership role stewarding singletrack around Salida, we want to hear from you! All are welcome to apply. Deadline to apply: end of day Thursday, June 9th. 

LEARN MORE + APPLY

Public comment: BLM campsite fees 

The BLM Royal Gorge Field Office wants your feedback about proposed campsite fees that would fund more sustainable management of these areas. Most directly impacting trails we steward, the plan proposes a $10/night fee for Shavano and Burmac once improved facilities (i.e. toilets) are installed.

Read the full plan here. That link includes info about where to send comments. The deadline for feedback is June 18.

Volunteer Opportunities 

• FIBike MTB Race — Sunday, June 18 — Click here to volunteer 
• Chaffee Rec Adopter, Towns and Trails — Ongoing Help keep our trails clean! SMT is partnering with GARNA to track and address conditions that negatively impact trail experiences, like trash and dog poop. Volunteering is as easy as walking/running/biking the trails and logging issues in an app. Sign up here to be our “eyes on the trail,” and we’ll be in touch about training dates.
• Mount Shavano summit trail — Thursday, July 20 SMT is excited to be partnering with Colorado Fourteeners Initiative (CFI) to do some much-needed work on Mount Shavano! CFI is leading a major, multi-year project to improve the summit trail. Since Shavano is right in Salida’s backyard, we wanted to pitch in. Join us on Thursday, July 20 to prep and install timber check steps. This will be a bit more labor-intensive than most SMT trail events. Click here to volunteer.

Job Opportunities  

Southwest Conservation Corps (SCC)— Los Valles Senior Program Director 

The Los Valles Director (LVD) is the leader for SCC’s staff and operations based in Salida, CO. The Director both develops funding for and manages all Los Valles based operations through a coordinated and collaborative staff structure. Learn more and apply here.