Colorado Trail Access Issues

[Done]

I just received this from a friend:

A 30 day comment period has just begun regarding the re-location of 32 miles of the co-located CT/CDNST from Lujan Creek to the La Garita Wilderness. This part of the trail is currently on motorized routes. The USFS preferred alternative would make the new trail "Non Mechanized", effectively closing a large piece of non-wilderness trail to bicycles.
http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/fs-usda-pop.php/?project=31283

[Colorado Cool Breeze]

I just received this from a friend:

A 30 day comment period has just begun regarding the re-location of 32 miles of the co-located CT/CDNST from Lujan Creek to the La Garita Wilderness. This part of the trail is currently on motorized routes. The USFS preferred alternative would make the new trail "Non Mechanized", effectively closing a large piece of non-wilderness trail to bicycles.
http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/fs-usda-pop.php/?project=31283

Thanks Toby for the heads up. I sent Mary my thoughts via email.

Comment Info:
Continental Divide National Scenic Trail Addition #31283
Commenting on This Project

The Forest Service values public input. Comments received, including respondents’ names and addresses, will become part of the public record for this proposed action. Comments submitted anonymously will be accepted and considered; however, anonymous comments will not provide the agency with the ability to provide you with project updates. The Forest Service wishes to provide you with as many opportunities as possible to learn about our activities.
Submitting Comments
If you wish to submit a comment, please send it to:

Mary Nelson

46525 State Highway 114 , Saguache, CO, 81149
mnelson02@fs.fed.us

[Done]

Awesome, thank you! The more, the better. I'm still drafting my comment, trying to find a good balance of tone and conviction.

[Colorado Cool Breeze]

One thing I've learned over the years when dealing with the government is sugar always works better than salt.
Yelling, demanding will almost always hurt your cause.
A simple comment of job well done so far (whether deserved or not)
and a short statement gently reminding them of your groups usage of the trail.
Kind of like the butterfly effect.

[AZTtripper]

So I don't know the CT well enough to know where this is.

But I do know that the NST stands for National Scenic Trail. And to gain that title and the federal funds that go with it. They CDTS http://www.cdtsociety.org/ had to have it in the long range plans to eliminate all roads along the route.

So forgive my ignorance but can't the CTR still use the road and so your course won't change anyway?

The AZT has the same NST rating and plan. But the hikers route is considered finished aside from numerous maintenance issues. The ATA now has a mountain biker as an Exec and the new direction is to figuring out what is needed for the bike route to be. So far none of the planned NST reroutes will have much effect on the bike route or at least not in any negative ways.

[wookieone]

Interesting indeed. It is funny to read that we as mountain bikers are responsible for 'V' out of trails, more likely from too steep of pitches and runout, but good luck fighting that.
It would be an improvement as far as a real trail instead of a bunch of old roads going every which way, but there is no water up there much like the Cochetopa Hills before that, high and dry. So from the Crest Trail, going south and west, there would be even less water sources till hitting Cochetopa Creek, near the end of the new route. This is already a challenge to both hikers and bikers going through here, not much water. I am all for more trails less roads, but it IS nice as a hiker to get away from everyone. When hiking, the crest is annoying, bikes every few minutes, not that this new route would see that sort of use, but....tough call really. Jefe

[Done]

Howdy all,

If you haven't already submitted your letter, there's still time. The deadline has been extended until 12/17/2012. So get it done! Here's a good suggestion of what to write: http://forums.mtbr.com/9855505-post9.html


Also, we've got to love the Colorado Trail Foundation. They voted UNANIMOUSLY to support bike access on the new trail. Awesome folks. THANK YOU!

That said, mountain bikers haven't exactly been well-represented on Colorado Trail trail-building crews. Yeah, I'm guilty too--but I try to send them some money every year instead. Either way, please support these guy. They're supporting us, right??! http://www.coloradotrail.org/

[Done]

Look like IMBA is helping out:
http://www.imba.com/alert/comments-continental-divide-trail