I had a great ride at Apex today (so nice to have that back…even phase 1)! Afterward, I talked to a few of the main JCOS trail guys (really good guys) for 40 minutes or so. Being a native here and having formerly worked for JCOS it was good to hear about the current state of things. I got some great info that I wanted to pass along regarding JCOS’s future and why we at MTB’s should be stoked and continue to support them in any way we can:
First, the new Director is very MTB friendly and these guys were saying that we should be really happy with him and that he is an MTB advocate himself.
Second, they talked about MTBers being the most organized user group by far and having a huge voice. They also have noted the amount of help and cooperation from COMBA, IMBA, Yeti, Wheat Ridge Cyclery and the MTB community at large. They encourage us to continue to stay so involved as it has, is, and will continue to be VERY beneficial to us to do so.
Third, they talked about flood recovery efforts. They said that there are some big plans coming in the next 5 years (I’ll get to that below) but that first they are basically going to lose a year to flood recovery. This is focused mainly now at Lair O’ The Bear, Apex and White Ranch. There may be some reroutes and reworks (some on Apex and Mustang at WR), but no closed trails excepting the possibility of Wrangler’s Run at WR (not shocking as it was a short trail that followed a river bed basically. Personally, I get the rationale behind this if it happens and won’t miss that trail.)
Finally, they talked a bit about the next big projects coming in the new 5 year plan (which should be out in a few months to the public). This is all awesome stuff and basically, ALL these new plans include MTB. Of course timelines are not out yet but here’s a list of what’s coming by what I perceive to be priority and/or chronological order:
1. A goal to have 25 miles of NEW trail (so not including any flood reroutes it sounded like) every 5 years.
2. Reynolds park opening Colorado Trail 10 mile connector opening up to MTB! This is hopefully this year 2014 sometime. The plan sounds like some trails will stay hiker only but a lot of new MTB trail as well. This is HUGE I think. I used to ride that park before the closure to MTB’s and the fact that it’s opening again in any capacity is great and MTB advocacy groups really helped in this.
3. Mammoth Lot connector trail. A trail is planned to connect the upper Mammoth lot at the hogback under I-70 to the main MW trailhead. This will be a small trail but will expand parking options.
4. White Ranch / Golden Gate Canyon connector. Yep, these guys were really positive about this happening. This will be an epic ride!
5. A NEW park geared heavily toward MTB near Morrison. Yes! Very cool. Apparently there is IMBA involvement and money in this one and the town of Morrison is heavily invested as they want more singletrack near town. Stay tuned on this one but sounds really promising!
6. So although this is most likely years away, they do still plan to have a multi-use park right up Coal Creek where JCOS has a decent parcel of land. Again, no timeframe at all on that but it is being discussed.
7. In addition to all this, two more things of note (though not MTB) are paved path expansions. The first is a path that is still being discussed from Tucker lake in west Arvada up to Boulder. Plans for this hinge on what may or may not happen with the northwest parkway. The second very cool thing is what they are calling “Plains to Peaks” which is the expansion of the Clear Creek Bike Path in Golden up Clear Creek with spurs to Central City and Idaho Springs. So although that’s a path…it would still be really cool.
8. Oh, and as a final note, they are also looking at expanding access to and formalizing some climbing options on JCOS land. Sort of cool for those that do that as well.
9. Finally, they said there is land on the hogback that currently has not official trails on it that could possibly be developed and has been discussed. (Think MW / Apex connector) They commented on how a few letters to JCOS might help move things in this direction since it could be an easy trail build for them. If you do write a letter, however, it may be best just to do it from a general trail user perspective rather than “I want a sick MTB trail” perspective. Anyway, if you are so inclined…
So, that pretty much sums it up but I wanted to pass along the stoke because although all this does take time it’s also exciting. Also, it is great to hear what a valued user group we are and that the new Director is very MTB friendly!
Happy Trails!
First, the new Director is very MTB friendly and these guys were saying that we should be really happy with him and that he is an MTB advocate himself.
Second, they talked about MTBers being the most organized user group by far and having a huge voice. They also have noted the amount of help and cooperation from COMBA, IMBA, Yeti, Wheat Ridge Cyclery and the MTB community at large. They encourage us to continue to stay so involved as it has, is, and will continue to be VERY beneficial to us to do so.
Third, they talked about flood recovery efforts. They said that there are some big plans coming in the next 5 years (I’ll get to that below) but that first they are basically going to lose a year to flood recovery. This is focused mainly now at Lair O’ The Bear, Apex and White Ranch. There may be some reroutes and reworks (some on Apex and Mustang at WR), but no closed trails excepting the possibility of Wrangler’s Run at WR (not shocking as it was a short trail that followed a river bed basically. Personally, I get the rationale behind this if it happens and won’t miss that trail.)
Finally, they talked a bit about the next big projects coming in the new 5 year plan (which should be out in a few months to the public). This is all awesome stuff and basically, ALL these new plans include MTB. Of course timelines are not out yet but here’s a list of what’s coming by what I perceive to be priority and/or chronological order:
1. A goal to have 25 miles of NEW trail (so not including any flood reroutes it sounded like) every 5 years.
2. Reynolds park opening Colorado Trail 10 mile connector opening up to MTB! This is hopefully this year 2014 sometime. The plan sounds like some trails will stay hiker only but a lot of new MTB trail as well. This is HUGE I think. I used to ride that park before the closure to MTB’s and the fact that it’s opening again in any capacity is great and MTB advocacy groups really helped in this.
3. Mammoth Lot connector trail. A trail is planned to connect the upper Mammoth lot at the hogback under I-70 to the main MW trailhead. This will be a small trail but will expand parking options.
4. White Ranch / Golden Gate Canyon connector. Yep, these guys were really positive about this happening. This will be an epic ride!
5. A NEW park geared heavily toward MTB near Morrison. Yes! Very cool. Apparently there is IMBA involvement and money in this one and the town of Morrison is heavily invested as they want more singletrack near town. Stay tuned on this one but sounds really promising!
6. So although this is most likely years away, they do still plan to have a multi-use park right up Coal Creek where JCOS has a decent parcel of land. Again, no timeframe at all on that but it is being discussed.
7. In addition to all this, two more things of note (though not MTB) are paved path expansions. The first is a path that is still being discussed from Tucker lake in west Arvada up to Boulder. Plans for this hinge on what may or may not happen with the northwest parkway. The second very cool thing is what they are calling “Plains to Peaks” which is the expansion of the Clear Creek Bike Path in Golden up Clear Creek with spurs to Central City and Idaho Springs. So although that’s a path…it would still be really cool.
8. Oh, and as a final note, they are also looking at expanding access to and formalizing some climbing options on JCOS land. Sort of cool for those that do that as well.
9. Finally, they said there is land on the hogback that currently has not official trails on it that could possibly be developed and has been discussed. (Think MW / Apex connector) They commented on how a few letters to JCOS might help move things in this direction since it could be an easy trail build for them. If you do write a letter, however, it may be best just to do it from a general trail user perspective rather than “I want a sick MTB trail” perspective. Anyway, if you are so inclined…
So, that pretty much sums it up but I wanted to pass along the stoke because although all this does take time it’s also exciting. Also, it is great to hear what a valued user group we are and that the new Director is very MTB friendly!
Happy Trails!
and hit send before thinking things through. I know I've been guilty of it over the years although I try to be mindful of being more open and thoughtful.
