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Trail Talk Blog

Durango Trails Launches Durango Trail Love Campaign

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.

Back to SchooP program announced

Release Back to SchooP 2023

Durango, Colorado -The City of Durango, the La Plata County Humane Society, Visit Durango, and Durango Trails are launching a Back to SchooP program to encourage area pet owners to pick up after their pet and remind them that City and County ordinances require dogs be on leash in Horse Gulch, Overend Mountain Park, Dalla Mountain and Animas Mountain.

“We notice a number of dogs off-leash that may leave trail users a present without the owners noticing or schooping the pile. Trailheads and sections of trails are littered with dog waste that affects our water, wildlife, other dogs and trail users,” according to Scott McClain, Interim Parks and Recreation Director with the City of Durango.

“Durango is a dog-loving place, and we also love our trails and open space. To prevent issues with trail users and wildlife, dogs must be leashed in our area open spaces and owners must pick up their dog’s waste,” said Clint Garrett, Animal Protection Supervisor with the La Plata County Humane Society. “Reports of unleashed dogs will be treated as a ‘dog at large’ under Durango City Ordinance 4-41 and the owner is subject to a citation, fine and court costs.”

The City of Durango website also states: “Pet waste bags and garbage receptacles are provided throughout our parks and trailheads. Be sure to carry extra bags and don’t forget to grab your filled bags on your way back to the trailhead if you’d set your bag by the side of the trail.”

Poop from pets can carry germs like bacteria and parasites that can make people and other pets sick, contaminate waterways, and harm the environment, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Colorado is the poopiest “Dog Poop State,” according to research done by Protect My Paws. Do your part to make Durango the exception to this unfortunate trend.
There is an off-leash dog park located 0.1 mile west of the intersection of Hwy. 160 West and Hwy. 550, on the south side of Hwy. 160 West.

Remember, don’t be a poop and get back to the schoop (and leash)!

About Durango Trails: Formed in 1990, as Trails 2000, the organization underwent a brand refresh to celebrate its 30th anniversary. The mission is to plan, build and maintain trails, educate trail users, and create connections. Durango Trails relies on community support for all of its projects. Volunteers contribute more than 4,000 hours of trailwork annually to Forest Service, BLM, County, City and private landowners. For more information, visit www.durangotrails.org and www.facebook.com/ durangotrails

The La Plata County Humane Society is committed to enhancing and protecting the lives of companion animals by ensuring the provision of sustenance, safety and shelter, educating the community regarding humane treatment of animals, and preventing pet overpopulation.

Dawn Patrol Trailwork | Twin Buttes | September 14th | 9 am – 12 pm


September 14


@


9:00 am



12:00 pm

Join us for trailwork at Twin Buttes.

No experience is necessary for trailwork. Durango Trails will provide the necessary instruction, safety tool talk, tools, work gloves, extra water, beverages, and snacks for volunteers. 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!

Twin Buttes Trailwork

When: Thursday, September 14th | 9:00 am – 12 pm (please be on time)

Where to Meet: The Twin Buttes trailhead is located off Hwy 160 in Durango. There is a dirt parking lot near the Giant gas station on the North side of the road. The main (East) trailhead is here. 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).

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. Also, thanks for leaving your dogs at home. 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 MINOR’S 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!

Happy Hour Trailwork | Horse Gulch Meadow | August 30th | 5 – 7:30 pm

August 30 @ 5:00 pm 7:30 pm

Join us for trailwork in Horse Gulch. From the Horse Gulch Trailhead, we will climb Horse Gulch Road, turning right at the Meadow intersection. This rebuild will keep the same alignment for the Meadow trail but will introduce 5 new trail features, designed to illustrate what is possible and what is necessary to build and maintain world class trails.

No experience is necessary for trailwork. Durango Trails will provide the necessary instruction, safety tool talk, tools, work gloves, extra water, beverages, and snacks for volunteers. 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!

Horse Gulch Meadow

When: Thursday, August 30th | 5:00 pm – 7:30 pm (please be on time)

Where to Meet: We will be accessing Horse Gulch Meadow from the Horse Gulch Trailhead. From 9th Street and Main Avenue in Durango, head east on 9th Street toward Fort Lewis College Mesa. Take a right on East 3rd Avenue, and a left onto College Drive (6th Street). Take a right on East 8th Avenue and a left on East 3rd Street. Behind the Mercy Medicine parking lot is a trailhead and parking area for Horse Gulch Trail System. 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).

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. Also, thanks for leaving your dogs at home. 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 MINOR’S 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!

Dawn Patrol Trailwork | Horse Gulch Meadow | August 31st | 9 – 11:30 am

August 31 @ 9:00 am 11:30 am

Join us for trailwork in Horse Gulch. From the Horse Gulch Trailhead, we will climb Horse Gulch Road, turning right at the Meadow intersection. This rebuild will keep the same alignment for the Meadow trail but will introduce 5 new trail features, designed to illustrate what is possible and what is necessary to build and maintain world class trails.

No experience is necessary for trailwork. Durango Trails will provide the necessary instruction, safety tool talk, tools, work gloves, extra water, beverages, and snacks for volunteers. 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!

Horse Gulch Meadow

When: Thursday, August 31st | 9:00 am – 11:30 am (please be on time)

Where to Meet: We will be accessing Horse Gulch Meadow from the Horse Gulch Trailhead. From 9th Street and Main Avenue in Durango, head east on 9th Street toward Fort Lewis College Mesa. Take a right on East 3rd Avenue, and a left onto College Drive (6th Street). Take a right on East 8th Avenue and a left on East 3rd Street. Behind the Mercy Medicine parking lot is a trailhead and parking area for Horse Gulch Trail System. 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).

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. Also, thanks for leaving your dogs at home. 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 MINOR’S 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!

Dawn Patrol Trailwork | Horse Gulch Progressive Ridge | August 24th |9 – 11:30 am

August 24 @ 9:00 am 11:30 am

Join us for trailwork on the Horse Gulch Progressive Ridge. From the Horse Gulch Trailhead, we will climb Horse Gulch Road, turning left at the quarry to access Half Ridge Trail. Climbing Half Ridge Trail gains the progressive ridge and the Kitty Charmer and Charmed/Medicine intersections.

No experience is necessary for trailwork. Durango Trails will provide the necessary instruction, safety tool talk, tools, work gloves, extra water, beverages, and snacks for volunteers. 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!

Horse Gulch Progressive Ridge

When: Thursday, August 24th| 9:00 am – 11:30 am (please be on time)

Where to Meet: We will be accessing Horse Gulch Progressive Ridge from the Horse Gulch Trailhead. From 9th Street and Main Avenue in Durango, head east on 9th Street toward Fort Lewis College Mesa. Take a right on East 3rd Avenue, and a left onto College Drive (6th Street). Take a right on East 8th Avenue and a left on East 3rd Street. Behind the Mercy Medicine parking lot is a trailhead and parking area for Horse Gulch Trail System. 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).

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. Also, thanks for leaving your dogs at home. 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 MINOR’S 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!

Happy Hour Trailwork | Horse Gulch Progressive Ridge | 5 – 7:30pm

August 23 @ 5:00 pm 7:30 pm

Join us for trailwork on the Horse Gulch Progressive Ridge. From the Horse Gulch Trailhead, we will climb Horse Gulch Road, turning left at the quarry to access Half Ridge Trail. Climbing Half Ridge Trail gains the progressive ridge and the Kitty Charmer and Charmed/Medicine intersections.

No experience is necessary for trailwork. Durango Trails will provide the necessary instruction, safety tool talk, tools, work gloves, extra water, beverages, and snacks for volunteers. 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!

Horse Gulch Progressive Ridge

When: Wednesday, August 23rd | 5:00 pm – 7:30 pm (please be on time)

Where to Meet: We will be accessing Horse Gulch Progressive Ridge from the Horse Gulch Trailhead. From 9th Street and Main Avenue in Durango, head east on 9th Street toward Fort Lewis College Mesa. Take a right on East 3rd Avenue, and a left onto College Drive (6th Street). Take a right on East 8th Avenue and a left on East 3rd Street. Behind the Mercy Medicine parking lot is a trailhead and parking area for Horse Gulch Trail System. 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).

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. Also, thanks for leaving your dogs at home. 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 MINOR’S 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!

Lower Engine Creek | Wednesday, August 9th | 8 am – noon

August 9 @ 8:00 am 12:00 pm

Join us for trail maintenance on lower Engine Creek Trail.

No experience is necessary, 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; please register below.

Thank you for volunteering, and giving back to your trails and community!

Lower Engine Creek Trailwork

When: Wednesday, August, 9th | 8 am – 12 pm (please be on time)

Where to Meet: The Cascade Creek/Lower Engine Creek Trailhead begins at the top of Cascade Road. From 9th Street and Main Avenue in Durango, head west on 9th Street toward Camino Del Rio (Highway 550). Turn right onto Camino Del Rio (HWY 550) and continue north on Hwy 550 past Purgatory Resort toward Silverton. 28.5 miles from Durango, there is a hairpin turn to the right at Cascade Creek. There is a large dirt parking lot on the R (inside) of the hairpin. We will meet here at 8:00am. Because of the remote nature of the trailwork, the worksite is a mountain bike ride to/from location >4 miles from the parking area. There will be tools at the site so you will be hands-free for riding. Make sure you have plenty of water (and/or a filter), warm layers, and rain gear. 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 work 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!

Horse Gulch Thistle Project | Wednesday, July 26th | 7:30 am – 10 am

July 26 @ 7:30 am 10:00 am

Join us for thistle abatement at Horse Gulch.

No experience is necessary, 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; please register below.

Thank you for volunteering, and giving back to your trails and community!

Horse Gulch Thistle Project

When: Wednesday, July, 26th | 7:30 am – 10:00 am (please be on time)

Where to Meet: The Horse Gulch trailhead is located on West Fourth Ave off of 32nd Street. 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 work 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 30 participants for this event. If your chosen date is already full, please consider a new date to join us!

Dawn Patrol Trailwork | Haflin Creek Trail

July 27 @ 9:00 am 11:30 am

Join us for trailwork on Haflin Creek Trail off Missionary Ridge. This is a remote location that is physically challenging to access. Email mike@durangotrails.org if you are interested in carpooling.

No experience is necessary for trailwork. Durango Trails will provide the necessary instruction, safety tool talk, tools, work gloves, extra water, beverages, and snacks for volunteers. 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!

Haflin Creek Trail from HWY 250

When: Thursday, July 27th | 9 am – 11:30 pm (please be on time)

Where to Meet: We will be accessing Haflin Creek Trail from HWY 250. From 9th Street and Main Avenue in Durango, head east on 9th Street toward 2nd Avenue. Turn left onto east 3rd Street and turn right onto Florida Road. At the round-a-bout stay straight to continue on Florida Road. Turn left onto CR 250 at the traffic light. After 5 miles, a dirt parking area will be on your right. Haflin Creek trail will ascend from this parking area. 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).

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. Also, thanks for leaving your dogs at home. 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 MINOR’S 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!

Happy Hour Trailwork | Haflin Creek Trail

July 26 @ 5:00 pm 7:30 pm

Join us for trailwork on Haflin Creek Trail off HWY 250.

No experience is necessary for trailwork. Durango Trails will provide the necessary instruction, safety tool talk, tools, work gloves, extra water, beverages, and snacks for volunteers. 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!

Haflin Creek Trail from HWY 250

When: Wednesday, July 26th | 5:00 pm – 7:30 pm (please be on time)

Where to Meet: We will be accessing Haflin Creek Trail from HWY 250. From 9th Street and Main Avenue in Durango, head east on 9th Street toward 2nd Avenue. Turn left onto east 3rd Street and turn right onto Florida Road. At the round-a-bout stay straight to continue on Florida Road. Turn left onto CR 250 at the traffic light. After 5 miles, a dirt parking area will be on your right. Haflin Creek trail will ascend from this parking area. 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).

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. Also, thanks for leaving your dogs at home. 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 MINOR’S 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!

Support the trails that connect you to the outdoors

Trails are the cornerstone of our community and the gateway to the outdoors.

Help support our work so you can continue to connect to the outdoors by giving to Durango Trails!

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Before you head out...

Please consider giving to Durango Trails!

The trails you’re about to enjoy wouldn’t exist without our year-round work to plan, build, and maintain them.

And we wouldn’t exist without your support!

Please consider financially contributing to help us continue to build and maintain great trails.

Great communities build great trails and great trails build great communities.