We are excited to announce the launch of “Durango Trail Love,” a seasonal campaign designed to promote share the trail and leave no trace ethics.
After an unprecedented trail season in 2020, Durango Trails, in partnership with Alpine Bank and area land managers, are launching a stewardship education campaign to help combat the impact on our area trails and outdoor recreation amenities.
Trails are the gateway to the outdoors. Whether you're fly fishing, fat biking, backpacking, or hiking, you're taking a trail to your adventure.
Before COVID, the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable found about 50% of Americans were getting outdoors. In July of last year, the recent survey found 89% were getting outdoors, and 30% were new outdoorists.
With so many users on the trails, it's important we all practice proper Durango Trail Love and show some love back to our trails!
This campaign is intended not just to speak to visitors and new trail users, but also to remind locals and longtime trail users to lead by example, so that we can all understand how to better care for our land.
The Colorado Stay at Home Order that went into effect March 26 was changed to a “Safer-at-Home” order on April 27th. It continues to allow exercise outside the home, and travel via foot, bike or car to trailheads. Outdoor activities such as walking, hiking, fishing, biking, or running are still permitted under the order. State parks will remain open for the previously-mentioned activities.
The COVID-19 situation and subsequent Stay at Home Order by San Juan Basin Health is not something to be taken lightly. Getting exercise and getting outside is extremely important for our well-being and mental health, but we must keep open spaces safe and uncrowded. Here’s what Durango Trailsis doing and our recommendations for safe trail use during this time.
TRAILWORKEVENTS ARE POSTPONED
All Durango Trails trail building events, parties, and other social events are postponed until such time as group activities are deemed safe again. We continue to look forward to our upcoming 2020 Trailwork Kick-Off Event, as well as our 30th Anniversary Celebration, and we will update you when new dates have been chosen for both.
TRAILS: THE GATEWAY TO OUTDOOR RECREATION
The current guidelines list biking, walking, hiking and other outdoor activities as essential, permitted activities while following social distancing. In order to comply with all social distancing orders, do not organize a group activity of more than 10 people and maintain a distance of 6 feet between all. Please remember, no matter how you choose to get outdoors, social distancing is not optional. Please abide by all guidelines and rules listed below.
MOUNTAIN BIKING
Stay alert, slow down, and communicate with each other from a distance about how to proceed. With local gyms and rec centers closed, there may be new users on the trails. Now is a great time to educate the community on responsible trail use, and to be patient, exemplary stewards and neighbors. Remember, great communities build great trails and great trails build great communities.
TRAIL RUNNING
To follow proper social distancing guidelines, please do not run in groups. Please announce yourself.
DOG WALKING
Dogs must be on a leash! Please don’t put anyone at risk by not having your dog on a leash and please, always pick up after your dog.
KEEP OPEN SPACES UNCROWDED
Pick off-peak times to ride, or choose less-used trail areas. If there is no available parking at a trailhead, it is too crowded!
Ride fewer times a week.
Remember to keep your dogs on a leash; this is important to help keep everyone protected and reduce the impact on emergency services.
PRACTICE SOCIAL DISTANCING
Don’t carpool, unless with household members.
Don’t do shuttle rides.
Ride solo. If you do ride with others, the intention is that you only go with people in YOUR HOUSEHOLD, and maintain at least 6 feet of physical distance at all times.
Give plenty of room to all users on the trail. Instead of the MTB Lean, step off the trail and lift your bike with you to let others pass. Please don’t take a longer path and ride off-trail to avoid users.
While masks are not required while recreating, please be conscious of conditions where passing one another at close proximity is required. Watch our video learning series on safe passing and keep a mask in your pack when needed, or for visiting public areas and shops.
Don’t ride if you are sick.
Avoid touching others’ bikes, racks or equipment like pumps and tools.
Don’t share drinks, food, or anything else that goes in your mouth and can be inhaled.
Be mindful of your snot rockets and loogies.
Use the bathroom before you leave the house. Some trailhead restrooms are open but aren’t being maintained, others are closed.
KEEP TRIPS SHORT AND CONSERVATIVE
Ride and hike within your limits and don’t take risks. Now is not the time to go big; our healthcare system has enough to do without setting your broken collar bone.
KEEP IT LOCAL
If you can safely ride to the trailhead, please do so.
Do not get in your car and travel to other communities. Communities like Moab shut down camping and request visitors to stay home. They do not have the resources or infrastructure to handle visitors during this time and are trying to stop the spread of COVID-19 in their own towns.
In the Durango area, trails create community and connect us. They are the training grounds for our youth, amateur and professional athletes, and they are the place where we meet our friends and create connections.
This year, your contributions enabled our team to build and maintain world-class trails on Forest Service, BLM, County, City and private lands. Working with our strong volunteer team, we were able to achieve so much to further the future of outdoor recreation in our area.
Here are just some of the great things we were able to accomplish in 2019 with your support:
Restoration & Tree Removal
Our team worked very hard on the Hermosa Creek Trail to repair the damage from the 416 fire.
Trail Construction
We built new sections on SkyRaider, Down N Out, Rocky Road, Ned’s Hill, West Cross Creek (Stagecoach), Huck ‘Em Cowgirl, and more.
Trail Maintenance
Our trailwork crews worked hard to keep trails great in some of the classic areas: Overend Mountain Park, Horse Gulch, and Carbon Junction.
Trail Planning and Collaboration
Once again, we were fortunate to collaborate with land agency partners at the City of Durango, US Forest Service, BLM, and private land owners. We are currently underway with 2020 planning; trail projects take time and we continue to work with our land manager partners on project proposals.
Trailwork
Over 125 downed trees were cut when our team participated in various trail planning projects with area land managers. We also worked with volunteer groups on trail work, including Fort Lewis College, Durango Running Club, and various Scout troops.
Education
We helped nurture the next generation of outdoor-loving trail stewards through our TrailKids ecology education program.
Community Engagement
We shared timely trail conditions, news, photos, videos, and other helpful info on Trails2000.org and our various social channels to inspire our community to connect with our area trails.
Fundraising
We held our popular Trails 2000 Auction, our organization’s largest annual event.
Celebration
We celebrated our wonderful team of volunteers and crew leaders at the annual Trails & Ales party and Trailsgiving events.
The above accomplishments would not have been possible without you!
Your financial support is essential for our success, and we are relying on your help to accomplish even more in 2020.
Your contributions will allow us to continue our work and connect our community on the trails.
Our team is so grateful for all of our contributors’ ongoing support. We couldn’t do what we do with YOU, and we look forward to all we’ll accomplish together in 2020!
Join us for trailwork on Dry Fork and Hoffheins Trail.
No experience is necessary for trailwork, and Durango Trails will provide the necessary instruction, safety tool talk, tools, work gloves, and water and snacks for the entire crew. Please note, registration is required to join us for Trailwork; please register below.
Thank you for volunteering, and giving back to your trails and community!
Dry Fork/Hoffheins Trail Maintenance
When: Saturday, July 23rd| 9:00 am – 1:00 pm (please be on time)
Where to Meet: Park at Dry Fork Trailhead. Look for the Durango Trails Truck parked there. The lot is small, please consider carpooling! | Click here for a map.
What to wear:Volunteers should wear closed-toe shoes or boots, long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, sunhat, sunscreen, and bring a water bottle, and a rain jacket (optional).
Durango Trails will provide all tools, gloves, instruction and safety talk, extra water and snacks for our volunteers. We do live in beautiful, unpredictable Colorado, so please check the weather before your workday and plan to dress accordingly. If there are any changes to the trailwork date, Durango Trails will notify you ASAP via email. Please be sure to provide an email that you check regularly in the registration form below.
Thank you for volunteering and giving back to the trails that give so much!
Happy Trails!
ALL GUARDIANS MUST REGISTER IF THE PARTICIPANT IS UNDER 18 YEARS OLD; INCLUDE THE STUDENTS NAME IN THE BOX ASKING FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS
Please note, trailwork registration is capped at 15 participants for this event. If your chosen date is already full, please consider a new date to join us!
No experience is necessary for trailwork, and Durango Trails will provide the necessary instruction, safety tool talk, tools, work gloves, and water and snacks for the entire crew. Please note, registration is required to join us for Trailwork; please register below.
Thank you for volunteering and giving back to your trails and community!
Engineer Mountain Trail Maintenance
When: Wednesday, July 13th| 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm (please be on time)
Where to Meet: Park at lower Engineer Mountain Trailhead. Look for the Durango Trails Truck parked in the parking lot. The lot is small, please consider carpooling! | Click here for a map.
What to wear:Volunteers should wear closed-toe shoes or boots, long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, sunhat, sunscreen, and bring a water bottle, and a rain jacket (optional).
Durango Trails will provide all tools, gloves, instruction and safety talk, extra water and snacks for our volunteers. We do live in beautiful, unpredictable Colorado, so please check the weather before your workday and plan to dress accordingly. If there are any changes to the trailwork date, Durango Trails will notify you ASAP via email. Please be sure to provide an email that you check regularly in the registration form below.
Thank you for volunteering and giving back to the trails that give so much!
Happy Trails!
ALL GUARDIANS MUST REGISTER IF THE PARTICIPANT IS UNDER 18 YEARS OLD; INCLUDE THE STUDENTS NAME IN THE BOX ASKING FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS
Please note, trailwork registration is capped at 15 participants for this event. If your chosen date is already full, please consider a new date to join us!
Join us for trailwork on Half Ridge Trail above Charmed.
No experience is necessary for trailwork, and Durango Trails will provide the necessary instruction, safety tool talk, tools, work gloves, and water and snacks for the entire crew. Please note, registration is required to join us for Trailwork; please register below.
Thank you for volunteering, and giving back to your trails and community!
Half Ridge Trail Maintenance
When: Wednesday, June 22nd| 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm (please be on time)
Where to Meet: Park at Horse Gulch Trailhead. Look for the Durango Trails Truck parked in the parking lot. The lot is small, please consider carpooling! | Click here for a map.
What to wear:Volunteers should wear closed-toe shoes or boots, long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, sunhat, sunscreen, and bring a water bottle, and a rain jacket (optional).
Durango Trails will provide all tools, gloves, instruction and safety talk, extra water and snacks for our volunteers. We do live in beautiful, unpredictable Colorado, so please check the weather before your workday and plan to dress accordingly. If there are any changes to the trailwork date, Durango Trails will notify you ASAP via email. Please be sure to provide an email that you check regularly in the registration form below.
Thank you for volunteering and giving back to the trails that give so much!
Happy Trails!
ALL GUARDIANS MUST REGISTER IF THE PARTICIPANT IS UNDER 18 YEARS OLD; INCLUDE THE STUDENTS NAME IN THE BOX ASKING FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS
Please note, trailwork registration is capped at 15 participants for this event. If your chosen date is already full, please consider a new date to join us!
Join Durango Trails to build a new trail on Animas Mountain.
No experience is necessary for trailwork, and Durango Trails will provide the necessary instruction, safety tool talk, tools, work gloves, and water and snacks for the entire crew. Please note, registration is required to join us for Trailwork; please register below.
Thank you for volunteering, and giving back to your trails and community!
New Trail on Animas Mountain
When: Saturday, June 4 | 9:00 am – 1:00 pm (please be on time)
Where to Meet: Animas Mountain Trailhead, be prepared to hike 20-30 minutes to the worksite. Click Here for a map.
From North Main Street, take a left on 32nd Street and then a right on West 4th Avenue, where you will see the parking lot / trailhead for Animas Mountain a short ways up.
What to wear:Volunteers should wear closed-toe shoes or boots, long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, sunhat, sunscreen, and bring a water bottle, and a rain jacket (optional).
Durango Trails will provide all tools, gloves, instruction and safety talk, extra water and lunch for our volunteers. We do live in beautiful, unpredictable Colorado, so please check the weather before your workday and plan to dress accordingly. If there are any changes to the trailwork date, Durango Trails will notify you ASAP via email. Please be sure to provide an email that you check regularly in the registration form below.
Thank you for volunteering and giving back to the trails that give so much!
Happy Trails!
ALL GUARDIANS MUST REGISTER IF THE PARTICIPANT IS UNDER 18 YEARS OLD; INCLUDE THE STUDENTS NAME IN THE BOX ASKING FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS
Please note, trailwork registration is capped at 25 participants for this event. If your chosen date is already full, please consider a new date to join us!
There’s something magical about being outdoors. Fresh air, birds singing, moving along a trail or even just around the block – there’s nothing quite like it. Today, those trails and public spaces are in dire need of help, and not everyone has access to these places that calm and inspire. National Trails Day® is the perfect opportunity to get out there with the people you love, give back to the trails that bring us together, and make sure nobody is left out.
Connect with the people near you who share your love of being outside. Build your local community and join the nationwide movement to give back to the trails and make sure everyone can enjoy the outdoors.
Trails Day is this Saturday, June 4. Partnering with the Bureau of Land Management and the City of Durango, we will construct a new trail on Animas Mountain called the Lupine Loop. Volunteers will meet at the Animas Mountain trailhead and then hike one mile to the work site, working from 9am to 1pm followed by lunch. The crew will provide all instruction, tools and details. Please bring/wear long pants, closed toe shoes, sunhat, sunscreen, gloves, and a backpack to carry water and snacks.
Click here to sign up. If you’re interested, you can also take the National Trails Day pledge here:
Pent-up desire to participate in volunteer events has produced incredible early-season support!
Special thanks to the 8th-grade students and teachers at Miller Middle School for their support in maintaining the famous Sky Steps.
Durango’s Sky Steps officially opened in June 2017, creating a town to sky connection from Durango to the Fort Lewis College campus, home of the Skyhawks.
Over 500 steps gaining over 250 feet in elevation along the Nature Trail in Durango make for a wonderful walking route, commute to the college, or training steps right in town.
In partnership with the City of Durango and Fort Lewis College, the steps were built entirely by Durango Trails volunteers and crews.
Durango’s Sky Steps are amongst various urban stairs that have long been recognized as fitness and tourist destinations, including the Manitou Incline near Colorado Springs, known as one of the most popular and challenging hikes in the area, and the iconic Santa Monica stairs in Los Angeles.
The San Juan National Forest has implemented Stage 1 Fire Restrictions Beginning Today, May 20!
(this is in addition to LaPlata County Stage 1 restrictions)
The following are PROHIBITED under Stage 1 Fire Restrictions on the San Juan National Forest.
Igniting, building, maintaining, or using a fire (including fires fueled by charcoal or briquettes) outside of a permanent metal or concrete fire pit or grate that the Forest Service has installed and maintained at its developed recreation sites (campgrounds and picnic areas). $500 fine.
Smoking, except in an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least 3′ in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials. $300 fine.
Operating a chainsaw without an effective and properly installed USDA- or Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)- approved spark arrestor, a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher (with a minimum 8 oz. capacity and rating of 2A) kept with the operator and a round point shovel with an overall length of at least 35 inches readily available for use. $300 fine.
Blasting, welding, or operating acetylene or another torch with open flame without being in a cleared area of at least 10 feet in diameter and keeping a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher (with a minimum 8 oz. capacity and rating of 2A) with the operator. $300 fine.
Using an explosive. This includes, but is not limited to, fuses, blasting caps, fireworks, rockets, exploding targets, tracers, and incendiary ammunition. $300. $500 for exploding targets.
Join us for trailwork on Half Ridge Trail above Charmed.
No experience is necessary for trailwork, and Durango Trails will provide the necessary instruction, safety tool talk, tools, work gloves, and water and snacks for the entire crew. Please note, registration is required to join us for Trailwork; please register below.
Thank you for volunteering, and giving back to your trails and community!
Half Ridge Trail Maintenance
When: Saturday, April 23rd| 9:00 am – 12:00 pm (please be on time)
Where to Meet: Park at Horse Gulch Trailhead. Look for the Durango Trails Truck parked in the parking lot. The lot is small, please consider carpooling! | Click here for a map.
What to wear:Volunteers should wear closed-toe shoes or boots, long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, sunhat, sunscreen, and bring a water bottle, and a rain jacket (optional).
Durango Trails will provide all tools, gloves, instruction and safety talk, extra water and snacks for our volunteers. We do live in beautiful, unpredictable Colorado, so please check the weather before your workday and plan to dress accordingly. If there are any changes to the trailwork date, Durango Trails will notify you ASAP via email. Please be sure to provide an email that you check regularly in the registration form below.
Thank you for volunteering and giving back to the trails that give so much!
Happy Trails!
ALL GUARDIANS MUST REGISTER IF THE PARTICIPANT IS UNDER 18 YEARS OLD; INCLUDE THE STUDENTS NAME IN THE BOX ASKING FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS
Please note, trailwork registration is capped at 15 participants for this event. If your chosen date is already full, please consider a new date to join us!
{Thank you for your interest in trailwork! This event is now full. Please take a look at other additional upcoming trailwork dates to sign up for a future event!
Video campaign highlights the importance of respecting seasonal wildlife closures in Durango – in effect Dec. 1, 2021.
Ever wonder why certain trails in Durango have seasonal wildlife closures? During the winter months, deer and elk need safe harbors and seasonal wildlife closures are essential for the animals to survive. Even when there is no snow on the ground these areas are critical for animals to make it through the winter. That’s why Durango Trails this week launched an informational and educational video campaign aimed at educating and inspiring users to follow certain etiquette and safety guidelines when traveling on trails in Durango and the surrounding area. The first video, “It’s Up To Me,” highlights the importance of abiding by the winter seasonal wildlife closures.
It’s up to me. It’s up to us. It’s up to all of us to protect wildlife in Colorado.
The seasonal wildlife closures go into effect Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2021, until April 15, 2022, on the following areas:
Grandview Ridge
Big Canyon and Sale Barn trailheads (access located east of U.S. Highway 160)
Grandview BLM trails
Animas City Mountain
BLM lands above the lower loops (about 1.5 miles above the 32nd Street Trailhead)
Twin Buttes Area
The upper trails only, as marked.
Bodo State Wildlife Areas
This area is closed with the exception of the Smelter Mountain Trail that is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dogs are prohibited.
Perins Peak
Watch the video here or by clicking the video above. Visit our Trail Conditions Report for up to date trail conditions. You can also learn more about wildlife in Colorado by visiting the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website.
Campaign video made possible through Durango Trails receipt of the Partners in the Outdoors grant from the Colorado Parks and Recreation Association (CPRA) in partnership with Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). The videos were produced by Coldstream Creative and include local talent.
No experience is necessary for trailwork, and Durango Trails will provide the necessary instruction, safety tool talk, tools, work gloves, and water and snacks for the entire crew. Please note, registration is required to join us for Trailwork; please register below.
Thank you for volunteering, and giving back to your trails and community!
Cutthroat Trail Maintenance
When: Saturday, September 25th| 9:00 am – 12:00 pm (please be on time)
Where to Meet: Park at Sig Creek Trailhead at upper Hermosa Creek. From Durango, head 39 miles north on Highway 550. Turn into Purgatory Ski Resort and follow Hermosa Park Rd, Forest Rd 578, 6 miles west. It is accessible by 2WD vehicles. Look for the Durango Trails Truck parked off the Hermosa Park Road. | Click here for a map.
What to wear:Volunteers should wear closed-toe shoes or boots, long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, sunhat, sunscreen, and bring a water bottle, and a rain jacket (optional).
Durango Trails will provide all tools, gloves, instruction and safety talk, extra water and snacks for our volunteers. We do live in beautiful, unpredictable Colorado, so please check the weather before your workday and plan to dress accordingly. If there are any changes to the trailwork date, Durango Trails will notify you ASAP via email. Please be sure to provide an email that you check regularly in the registration form below.
Thank you for volunteering and giving back to the trails that give so much!
Happy Trails!
ALL GUARDIANS MUST REGISTER IF THE PARTICIPANT IS UNDER 18 YEARS OLD; INCLUDE THE STUDENTS NAME IN THE BOX ASKING FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS
Please note, trailwork registration is capped at 15 participants for this event. If your chosen date is already full, please consider a new date to join us!
Thank you for your interest in trailwork! This event is now full. Please take a look at other additional upcoming trailwork dates to sign up for a future event!
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