The volunteer-led Mancos Trails Group is submitting an official proposal to the Bureau of Land Management this week that suggests a framework for how hikers, horseback riders, hunters, and mountain bikers can be accommodated at a BLM-owned 800-acre parcel northwest of town.
The parcel, known to the BLM as the Aqueduct Parcel, has been accessed for years by in-the-know locals via the old town dump site off Road 39. The agency is in the midst of their travel and recreational planning process, and has identified the parcel as an Special Recreation Management Area for non-motorized uses. The classification, according to the BLM’s definition, ensures that the parcel is managed to enhance “a targeted set of activities, experiences, benefits and recreation setting characteristics, which becomes the primary management focus,”
The parcel was also identified as a priority project in the 2012 Mancos Trails Master Plan.
“They rely on public input from the community as to how to move forward, and provide insight into what that framework might look like,” said Jeremy Christensen, chairman of the Mancos Trails Group. “As a trails group, we took a few trips up there and were blown away at how beautiful and scenic it was, and at the hiking and opportunities for recreation up there.”
After the trips, the trails group – which is composed of 12 volunteer members who represent a diverse cross-section of recreational user groups – began formulating its proposal, which essentially includes a list of recommendations for how the site can be better improved for all non-motorized users from trails to access points.
“We’ve proposed a framework that would include putting in trails, a trailhead, some additional parking, and essentially creating an access point there so users don’t have to block traffic on Road 39,” he said.
As the BLM doesn’t have funds earmarked specifically for trail development in this area, Christensen said the group has volunteered to look for public or private funding streams to help pay for some of the suggested improvements as well as volunteers for trail development.
“We will help in any we can with funding or volunteer labor to make it happen. We agree that would be a good area for enhanced recreational uses, and a few basic investments of time and resources could make it a little more accessible for people,” he said.
The Mancos Trails Group is submitting its proposal to the BLM this week, which will essentially be included in the public comments for the parcel’s recreation and travel planning process.