2) Log Chutes on Wednesday, July 27 from 5p to 7pm
Please wear/bring closed-toe shoes, long pants, shirts, a sunhat, a backpack for water, work gloves, and sunscreen. The Crew Leaders will provide all tools and instruction.
Durango Trails is excited to announce the opening of a new trail connecting Powerline and Zipline to the Ridge!
We’re thrilled to announce with the City of Durango that the Half Ridge Opening Day and Ride with the Crew will be on Tuesday, July 19. Meet at the Horse Gulch Trailhead at 5pm for a mountain bike ride or trail run up to Half Ridge with a celebration afterwards. Meet the crew and celebrate the new trail and connectivity to Flame Out, Kitty Charmer and the Ridge.
Watch the celebratory video below, special thanks to Cole Davis and Rhyler Overend for the videography and production.
Huge thanks as well to all of the volunteers who helped realize this trail!
Sign up to join us here!
Pent-up desire to participate in volunteer events has produced incredible early-season support!
The following are PROHIBITED under Stage 1 Fire Restrictions on the San Juan National Forest.
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.
The seasonal wildlife closures go into effect Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2021, until April 15, 2022, on the following areas:
Grandview Ridge
Animas City Mountain
Twin Buttes Area
Bodo State Wildlife Areas
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.
Working with our land management partners at the Bureau of Land Management, Durango Trails has been hard at work completing trails at Animas Mountain. The BLM fire crew cleared the lines and the Durango Trails crew has been busy installing grade reversals, outslope as well as drainage features, and finish work on the new construction.
The USFS is doing a fuels thinning project in Log Chutes. The entire trail remains open.
Here are some specific details directly from the contractor: The contractor will be camping in the area above the camping closure past the overlook and traveling down to the site everyday 6:30ish. There should be a barrier at the intersection of Logchutes Two and the JC creek road.
The US Forest Service introduced the Travel Management Plan for the Hermosa area. At the time, the plan included closing Hermosa Creek Trail and part of the Colorado Trail to bikes through a Wilderness designation.
The Hermosa Creek sub-workgroup met from 2008-2010. The collaborative, community process, which operated on consensus, involved many citizens and organizations in discussions about the human and natural values in the Hermosa Creek watershed. It was a group represented by many points of view, including water users, recreational users, state agencies, the Southern Ute tribe, conservation organizations, and US Congressional representatives.
After almost two years of work, the Hermosa Creek Workgroup arrived at a set of recommendations. Central to their work was recommending that special federal legislation be developed, introduced, and passed. Their final report and recommendations were forwarded to the US Congress in 2010.
After several years of drafts, working through committees, and changes in Congressional representatives, the Hermosa Creek Watershed Protection legislation was finally signed into law on December 19, 2014, as Section 3062 in the Carl Levin and Howard P. “Buck” McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for the Fiscal Year 2015 (PL 113-291).
The legislation divided the watershed into a Special Management Area (SMA) and a wilderness area. Within the SMA, the legislation also delineates the East Hermosa Roadless Area (which was already a designated Colorado Roadless Area before the legislation).
The legislation states that: “The purpose of the Special Management Area is to conserve and protect for the benefit of present and future generations the watershed, geological, cultural, natural, scientific, recreational, wildlife, riparian, historical, educational, and scenic resources of the Special Management Area.”
Spud Lake, located north of Durango, is a favorite family hike.
Labor Day is just around the corner! Before school starts, here are few great family-friendly hikes to get in before or during Labor Day weekend.
Remember to love the trails like a local by familiarizing yourself with our Durango Trail Love campaign before you head out!
Used as both a walking and biking path, the Animas River Trail is a hard surface path that runs alongside the Animas River where it cuts through the town of Durango. There are various points of access along the trail, with the north end of the trail beginning at the new Oxbow trailhead (39th and Main/550 north).
This is a perfect choice for an easy day stroll without a lot of elevation gain and is a popular spot for bikers, hikers, and fishermen.
The Falls Creek Loop is a short, yet sweet trail located in the San Juan National Forest, just outside of Durango. An excellent choice for all skill levels, the route features colorful wildflowers in the summer, a waterfall, and forested landscapes of the San Juans.
A trail the entire family can enjoy, Spud Lake Trail is an easy loop that reaches the trout-filled Spud Lake. Camping, fishing, and picnicking are popular activities to enjoy on the trail. Beaver ponds are found throughout with views of Potato Hill (Spud Mountain) visible from the trail. Take in the views of the Hermosa Cliffs, the Animas Valley, and West Needle Mountains upon reaching Spud Lake. This trail access point is found 29 miles north of Durango on U.S. Highway 550 to Forest Road 591.
Found in the Perins Peak State Wildlife Area, Perins Peak trail is a great hike for all ages and offers stunning views and rock climbing opportunities for those who dare.
Perins Peak is a notable and distinctive natural landmark that towers over the town of Durango. Add on the North Perins Peak for a 10-mile hike and 2,300 feet in elevation gain.
Due to seasonal wildlife closures, the trail is only open from July 15 to November 15.
A hike most locals would recommend, the Smelter Mountain Trail is a short but steep trail that begins in town. Perfect for an early morning workout, or an early evening (during the summer) stretch, this trail provides little shade but offers big views. The end of the trail brings hikers to a magnificent vantage point that rises above the town of Durango.
Animas Mountain Trail is a 6-mile loop offering a great view of the Hermosa Valley, the Animas River, and the San Juan Mountains. Not only does this moderate hiking trail provide beautiful views, but its convenient access from town makes this a popular day hike for visitors and locals alike.
There is a great deal of elevation gain and the descent is rocky and a bit unstable so be prepared for this hike with hiking poles, rain jacket and good shoes.
For a bit of a challenge and more remote trail system, check out the Goulding Creek Trail. This is a more intense hike on a steeper switchback.
The rugged trail offers a chance to see waterfalls, open meadows, and views of the Hermosa Cliffs Roadless Area. In the fall the plentiful aspen groves light up the hike, making this particularly enjoyable in the fall season. The trail begins about 17 miles north of Durango from U.S. Highway 550.
Greet all trail users by saying hi when passing on the trail.
Say "on your left" as approaching other trail users from behind.
Pick up after yourself and your pet. Please don’t litter.
Keep your dogs on a leash or leave them at home. Off-leash dogs are not allowed on City Open Space and are the number one source of trail conflict.
Help protect natural areas and habitats by staying on established trails. Creating "social trails", cutting switchbacks, or ignoring trail closures leads to greater erosion and impacts on ecosystems.
Uphill traffic always has the right of way. Downhill traffic must be in control, especially around blind corners, to avoid coming in contact with uphill traffic.
Stay up to date by checking the Trail Conditions report and following us on Facebook or Instagram.
Donate to Durango Trails or volunteer for trailwork to help give back to the trails you love.
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!
