The Forest Service has completed its environmental review of a proposed new alignment for the Warren Gulch Trail on the Clear Creek Ranger District. Work on the reroute is expected to begin in the coming month, although the trail won’t be ready to reopen until sometime next year.
The trail closed last summer after conflicts between trail users and private landowners, and downed trees across the trail caused safety concerns. The historic route, which had gained popularity with mountain bikers in recent years, begins near Echo Mountain on Colo. Highway 103, heads north, and then runs steeply downhill.
The lower third of the trail previously crossed 18 mining claims, many of which have been developed, before terminating near Idaho Springs. The reroute will navigate users entirely across public lands, providing a more sustainable and enjoyable experience while minimizing user-landowner conflicts.
Approximately 1.7 miles of the former trail will be decommissioned. The new reroute will be 1.4 miles long, making the entire trail just under 4 miles long. The new trail will be designed to Forest Service mountain bike standards with a 12-24 inch width, but will also be open to other non-motorized users.
The Front Range Trail Stewardship Strike Team, a partnership between the National Forest Foundation, VF Foundation, and Mile High Youth Corps, will help scratch out the new trail alignment this fall, preparing the route for more contoured and refined finish work to be completed by COMBA and other partners in the spring.
Jeff
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