The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
Respecting easements very important
by Mark Reaman
A Crested Butte Town Council work session meant to figure out winter trail access for pedestrians, dog walkers and bikers resulted in an hour-long discussion from various stakeholders on what is open to the general public and why.
The January 19 meeting ended with mayor Glenn Michel suggesting a detailed map be posted on the town website to provide the public with current knowledge of the trail situation.
Town manager Todd Crossett wanted to see the “collaborative conversation” continue between stakeholder groups, and the council agreed that future trails that might open up the system a bit more included extensions to the Recreation Path, the Crested Butte Perimeter Trail and Old Kebler Pass Road.
Representatives of town, Crested Butte Nordic, the Crested Butte Land Trust and the local chamber of commerce all presented to an audience of about two dozen interested people.
Crested Butte Parks and Recreation director Janna Hansen said trail rules can change between summer and winter but there are dog-friendly locations in and nearby town all year-round.
Crested Butte Nordic executive director Keith Bauer explained it has taken 30 years for the organization to obtain easements and property for 50 kilometers of Nordic trails. He pointed out that riders of fat bikes could actually ride all the way from Mt. Crested Butte, through Crested Butte and out Brush Creek on trails that are in part groomed by the Nordic Center.
“Every group has a unique perspective,” said Crossett. “For town, we manage public property between multiple interest groups and try to strike a fair balance. Outside of town we are a major funder for open space and hold many easements. One big concern for us is keeping impacts in line with the easements. We are also aware of the economic impacts trails provide. So the town tries to balance needs and take an active role with our partners.”
“Our primary mission is for Nordic skiing and snowshoeing,” Bauer made clear. “We have a lot of partners that have helped build a great trail system. When fat bikers asked to use our trails we surveyed our members and the results indicated they were split but comfortable with some limited use on public trails. But overall, they didn’t want [fat bikes] on the prime trails. Some of our easement holders are adamant that they didn’t want fat bikers on trails and we have to respect that.”
CBLT executive director Ann Johnston and stewardship coordinator Hedda Peterson explained how the board makes decisions on how to utilize preserved land. “We always refer to our ‘conservation values’ when making a decision,” said Peterson. “Those include protecting vistas, recreation, wildlife or ranching. So there is a balancing act with our uses, especially as there is increased pressure on conserved lands.”
Crested Butte/Mt. Crested Butte Chamber of Commerce director Dave Ochs, believe it or not, talked a lot about the emergence of fat biking as a new amenity for the valley. “They are coming and it’s awesome,” he started. “We are a bike culture and people ride bikes here in the summer and the winter. Biking is aligned with who we are and that’s why we are bringing in the Fat Bike World Championships. The Worlds have shown a great collaboration with other user groups like Sno Trackers and Crested Butte Nordic. But overall access is still an issue. Being able to go from the mountain to Brush Creek is awesome but we need to branch out more. As this becomes more of a tourist amenity, we need places to ride and not everyone is immediately ready for single track. One thing we are doing is producing an educational brochure to let people know what the proper etiquette is with the sport.”
“So one way to continue forward is continue to sit down and work together,” observed Crossett. “Each group has different goals and focus. As for things like places where people can take their dogs, one big issue is that not everyone cleans up after their dogs. Some people don’t leash their dogs. That’s an issue.”
Crossett said based on the recent conversations with the various groups, the town and organizations would explore ways to expand public use on the Rec Path, look at Old Kebler Road with property owners and perhaps adjust easements on trails out by Peanut Lake.
Crested Butte Nordic board member Skip Berkshire pointed out the town’s Perimeter Trail, when complete, could “be an answer to a lot of these use issues.”
“That’s a number one area to accept these sort of multiple uses,” said Michel. “It just needs funding.”
Crossett emphasized that a top priority for any trail that crosses private property was respecting the easement and its rules. That hasn’t always happened and he said that could ultimately endanger even current easements.
“If people don’t respect the rules we already have, that makes it hard,” said councilman Jim Schmidt. “We are seeing it when we have asked to expand some trail access through nearby property.”
Town planner Michael Yerman explained that not all trail easements are perpetual and each easement has its own set of requirements.
“These easements have certain conditions that must be enforced,” said Berkshire. “Abuse of the rule set could cause a revocation of the easement. It is important to respect the rules.”
“When I get a call about an easement issue, the town takes it very seriously and responds accordingly,” assured Yerman.
Mayor Michel said it was important to keep the public informed about trail regulations and he suggested posting a map with various rules on the town website.
While the public was given a chance to ask questions, not many did.
In response to a question from Ochs, Bauer said Crested Butte Nordic would be willing to conduct another survey of its members over the fat bike issue since it had changed a lot in the last few years. Bauer said that would not take place until the spring.
Meanwhile Crossett said continuing the conversation could further collaboration and identify opportunities.
