Winter Suspension

Regular Saturday Trail Work has been suspended until next Spring when the weather warms up.
We will continue to hold Shindig Volunteer Work Days and possibly other events whenever the weather allows. The next Shindig happens December 11 at the CR175 terminus of the North Backbone Trail.
Thanks to all the volunteers who made the 2010 trail building season a huge success. Thanks also to Arrowhead Trails, Southwest Conservation Corps, Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado, and the inmate crews for their help. With the Upper Sand Dunes Reroute, the North Backbone and Little Rainbow completions, trailbuilding this year has exceeded SMT expectations. We look forward to working with all of you next year.

December Shindig: N Backbone Opening

The December Shindig, featuring the Grand Opening of the North Backbone Trail, is scheduled for Saturday, December 11, 9:00am. Work will be done to complete the trail at it's entrance from CR175, followed by a Grand Opening Ceremony at 12:00 noon, followed by a volunteer lunch at the Salida Cafe at 1:00pm. The meeting place will be the parking lot off CR175 (Ute Trail), three tenths (0.3) of a mile past the end of the CR175 pavement when driving from Salida. As usual, come prepared with water, gloves, long pants and sturdy boots. Be sure to dress warmly for the low December morning temperatures. Tools will be provided.

Saturday, November 27, Trail Work Day

Saturday, November 27, 9:00am: SMT Trail Work Day.
Some finishing work needs to be performed on the North Backbone Trail, which has been completed to connect CR175 and CR173. If it's too cold, there is snow on the ground or the ground is frozen, we will not be able to work; use your judgement. To get to the meeting place go up Ute Trail, CR 175, until the pavement ends. At end of pavement, make an immediate right and drive until that pavement ends. (Do not be concerned about the No Trespassing Signs. We have permission to be here.) Go straight ahead about 50 more yards on the dirt road and park off the side of the road. Someone from SMT will be there to tell you whether we can work or not. If we can work, the work area is about a 45 minute walk up the hill to the trail and further along the trail to the Northeast. Come prepared with water, gloves, long pants and sturdy boots. Tools will be provided.

North Backbone Connected

The North Backbone Trail connection completed from CR175 to CR173.
After a three-season effort and help from the VOC, the SCC, and inmate work crews, three and one half miles of intermediate trail were completed this week from CR175 to CR173 in the Arkansas Hills Trail System. The nonmotorized trail on BLM land is open to riders, hikers and equestrians, although some finish work is still needed to assure the sustainability of the trail. Thanks to all the volunteers and groups who made this trail a reality. The entire Backbone Trail now runs from Ute Trail (CR175) to Cottonwood Drainage and provides a roughly 10 mile loop from Salida thru the Arkansas Hills and back to Salida.

Saturday, November 20, Trail Work Day

Saturday, November 20, 9:00am: SMT Trail Work Day on the North Backbone Trail. The weather is getting iffy, but trail work will continue on Saturdays whenever possible. We are very close to completing the North Backbone route from CR 175 to CR 173; approximately 500 feet of relatively easy side-slope work remains. To get to the meeting place go up Ute Trail, CR 175, until the pavement ends. At end of pavement, make an immediate right and drive until that pavement ends. (Do not be concerned about the No Trespassing Signs. We have permission to be here.) Go straight ahead about 50 more yards on the dirt road and park off the side of the road. There will be SMT people there to show you the way to the trail work area, which is up the hill to the Northeast. Come prepared with water, gloves, long pants and sturdy boots. Tools will be provided.

November SHINDIG!

Saturday, November 13, 9:00am: SMT SHINDIG Volunteer Day on the North Backbone Trail. Weather permitting, we will work on the North Backbone Trail for the November SHINDIG. Work has progressed to the east side of Dead Horse Gulch on the North Backbone route from CR 175 to CR 173. To get to the meeting place go up Ute Trail, CR 175, until the pavement ends. At end of pavement, make an immediate right and drive until that pavement ends. (Do not be concerned about the No Trespassing Signs. We have permission to be here.) Go straight ahead about 50 more yards on the dirt road and park off the side of the road. There will be SMT people there to show you the way to the trail work area, which is up the hill to the North. The work area is comprised of some side slope digging and some rock work. Come prepared with water, gloves, long pants and sturdy boots. Tools will be provided. After the trail work lunch will be provided to trail volunteers. Meet in the area along the river behind Absolute Bikes about 1:30pm.