BLM designates trail system, approves campsites along Prince Creek
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SILT, Colo. – Today the Bureau of Land Management signed a decision designating a seven-mile trail system on the recently acquired 112-acre “Haines parcel” near Carbondale. The decision also approves the construction of ten individual campsites and two group campsites nearby along Prince Creek.
Under the decision, the BLM authorized about four miles of existing single-track mountain bike trails and nearly one mile of existing motorized single track. It approved more than four miles of new single- track mountain bike trails, and closed a little under two miles of existing mountain bike trails, much of which trespassed on private land.
“I grew up just down the interstate in Rifle where kids still pass the days doing what I did - hunting, fishing, camping out, and riding bikes on public lands,” said Deputy Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt. “These new campsites and trails join the millions of acres of public lands nationwide, and they demonstrate my and Secretary Zinke's continued commitment to expanding opportunities for local communities and residents who border public lands."
“We evaluated the trails the public had been using for years before the area was acquired by the BLM and largely approved the existing network. We also re-routed several trails that continued to trespass on private lands and approved construction of several routes to enhance the network,” said Acting BLM Colorado River Valley Field Manager Gloria Tibbetts. “Recreation on public lands in the Roaring Fork Valley is a great example of a working landscape, and resolving trespass issues is simply part of being a good neighbor.”
The BLM acquired the 112-acre Haines parcel in March 2017 as part of the Sutey Ranch Land Exchange. The parcel is near The Crown Special Recreation Management Area. Before BLM acquired the parcel, mountain bikers often unknowingly used trespass trails to access the SRMA.
“We coordinated the trails and campgrounds closely with Pitkin County Open Space and their plans for the land they own farther down Prince Creek,” Tibbetts said. “Pitkin County Road and Bridge played a key role helping us to improve the safety of the public who use this area as well as neighbors and motorists on Prince Creek Road.”
Last year recreation on lands managed by BLM Colorado generated $591 million and supported 4,800 jobs.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.