In 2023, we’re making a major addition to the Arkansas Hills: A trail linking Pano all the way to the F Street trailhead.
The project will bring a popular non-system trail into the SMT network, making it more sustainable and user-friendly through minor reroutes, the addition of stone steps, and more. We’ll also build about 1,000 feet of fresh trail, and rehab 500 feet of redundant and/or unsustainable trail. Once completed, this will create a mile-long route, open only to foot traffic, from our busiest trailhead to a panoramic viewpoint.
That will give hikers/runners an accessible route free from bikes. And it will disperse a lot of foot traffic from Frontside and Sand Dunes, making those trails more fun for bikers, and safer for everyone.
Among the benefits:
- Better connectivity
- Greater capacity
- Less erosion, and less maintenance
- Enhanced user experiences
But wait, there’s more…
We’re thrilled to partner with our local youth corps, Southwest Conservation Corps (SCC) and the City of Salida on this project. Along with the city, we applied for and received a $34,700 grant from Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) to fund a full month of SCC crew work. We’ll work alongside SCC, with a goal of completing the entire project in two phases: Spring 2023 for the lower section, and Fall 2023 for the upper.
I you’re excited for this project, I hope you’ll make a year-end donation to SMT. Although the grant will cover most of the project costs, SMT is still putting in time and money to money to lead this project from start to finish. Your tax-deductible gift will help us start 2023 on the right foot.
Best,
Jon Terbush
Executive Director, Salida Mountain Trails
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Funds for this project were awarded by Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO), which receives a portion of Colorado Lottery proceeds, to the Colorado Youth Corps Association for use by accredited conservation service corps. The goal of the program is to employ crews throughout the state on critical outdoor recreation and land conservation projects in partnership with local governments and open space agencies.