Trail Between Crested Butte and Carbondale Closer to Reality

By Mitzi Rapkin, 5-10-06

In the winter it takes about four hours to drive between Crested Butte and Carbondale. In the summer, it takes about two. But it is uncertain how long that distance would take on a bicycle path because although it’s been a dream of many for decades, it does not yet exist.

The Aspen Times is reporting today that Pitkin County is set to sign an agreement with Gunnison County to complete a 74-mile trail between Carbondale and Crested Butte.

Dale Will, Director of Pitkin County’s Open Space and Trails Board told the Aspen Times, “It’s good to see this kind of regional effort.”

Gunnison County has already signed an agreement and parts of the trail have already been completed. The trail is set to be paved from Carbondale to Redstone (about 16 miles) and soft surface from Redstone to Crested Butte.

Some of the funding for the trail will have to come in the form of grants, something Will said may be easier to obtain since both counties have agreed to the project.

UPDATE
While Will said the fact that Pitkin County signed an Intergovernmental Agreement to build the trail is good news, it does not obligate Gunnison County or Pitkin County to build it. "The most tangible benefits of signing the agreement is if either Gunnison County or Pitkin County seek a grant or a permit, the IGA will show we agree that this trail is in the public interest and we support the goal of getting funds to make it happen.

Pitkin County has about $850,000 for a portion of its share of the trail. A current issue facing the completion of the trail in the Carbondale corridor is a section of the property is in Garfield County and commisioners there have opted not to fund any trail building.

A large faction on the Crested Butte side are ready to go Will said. "They have 70 volunteers ready to start cutting the trail, all they need is a federal permit, there is a lot of enthusiasm on that side of the hill." The route will generally follow Kebler Pass, a summer-only road that connects Crested Butte with the highway into Carbondale.

"Momentum is building," Will Said. "It's kind of like building the Intercontinental Railroad where we’re starting on different ends and working our way toward the middle to pound in the golden stake."

[End of article]