2022 Lake Pueblo Trail Improvements

History and Background

Beginning in 2014, the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR), the federal agency that owns the land Lake Pueblo State Park sits on, and Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) who leases this land and operates the park, began a comprehensive Resource Management Plan (RMP) process to replace the previous 1980’s RMP. It was at this time that a Trails Management Plan (TMP) for the Lake Pueblo trails was deemed necessary. The TMP process involved the documentation of all trails and their condition as well as all natural and cultural resources. Southern Colorado Trail Builders (SCTB) actively participated in this process helping to assess trail conditions and provide input on the function and purpose of each trail in the overall system. In 2019, a draft TMP was put forth by CPW. The draft TMP kept most of the trail system intact, but proposed some technical trail closures as well as significant seasonal trail closures. After extensive public comment from trail users, input from SCTB, and subsequent revisions of the plan, the final TMP plan as implemented by BOR did not include any seasonal trail closures (which would have been burdensome and challenging to implement) and only the closure of one segment of commonly used trail (Waterfall, Creekside, and Log Drop addressed below). This was a major success for SCTB and the local trail community. 

The final TMP did, however, identify numerous high priority safety and sustainability concerns that needed to be addressed. BOR’s final RMP and corresponding TMP took effect in 2020. In 2021, CPW, working alongside SCTB, and professional trail consultants assembled a scope of work to address the highest priority issues identified in the TMP. In 2022, this scope of work was awarded to Singletrack Trails out of Grand Junction, CO with SCTB assisting the work with matching volunteer labor. A summary of the work performed and the next steps for the trails at Lake Pueblo follows below.

Sustainable Reroutes of South Shore, Arkansas Point, Staircase, Rollercoaster, and Conduit Trails

Four primary reroutes on South Shore trail were completed to improve the sustainability and safety of the trail and to match its difficulty with its intent and importance to the entire network. It is critical from a trail network/accessibility standpoint that South Shore function as a green/easy trail serving as a main artery to the rest of the network. Previously steep, rutted segments of trail were not safe with deep ruts and erosion that required significant volunteer hours to maintain. The reroutes completed in the fall of 2022 address the safety and sustainability issues that were present. Trail users of all abilities now have a sustainable and improved South Shore trail that accesses the remainder of the trail network from the challenging canyon trails to the east to the popular Driftwood, Inner/Outer Limits, and Voodoo Loop trails to the west.

A short sustainability and erosion related reroute was also completed on the Conduit trail where a segment of trail was heavily eroded. Reroutes of the Arkansas Point and Rollercoaster trails were also completed to protect natural and cultural resources in the area representing a net addition of sustainable trail mileage to this area. Protecting natural and cultural resources and adding trail mileage was a clear and obvious win-win situation.

Lastly, work on a minor reroute, tread enhancement and the installation of new wood steps was completed on the lower portion of Staircase Trail. These improvements better delineate the tread, remove trail braiding, and improve the sustainability of a heavily used trail by hikers originating from the Arkansas Point Campground. Staircase trail as well as neighboring Steep Tech Trail will be designated as hiker only. Additional maintenance on the upper segment of Staircase trail is planned in 2023.

Waterfall, Creekside, and Log Drop Closures Protect Important Habitats

As recommended in the final TMP, Waterfall, Creekside and by association, Log Drop were closed to protect important wildlife habitat and natural resources. These trails either existed in or were accessed through an unsustainable riparian habitat. From SCTB’s historical perspective, these trails also required a disproportionate amount of vegetation and tumbleweed clearing, and general trail maintenance. While no trail user likes to lose trail mileage and route options, these closures were based on sound land management and trail management practices that SCTB supports. As trail advocates, we recognize the importance of the natural resources our trail experiences depend on. The closure mileage represents a small percentage of the overall network and of comparable trails with similar challenges. Further, the completion of this work opens up a myriad of opportunities for sustainable trail development to replace these trails with more mileage and additional challenge for trail users.

Technical Trail Features (TTF)

Numerous wood structure TTFs existed throughout the trail system - primarily in many of the technical canyon trails. Professional consultation in 2021 determined that these TTFs did not meet modern trail standards in dimension and construction. A key component of the priorities outlined in the TMP was the replacement of these unsuitable TTFs. Rock work vs. replacement wooden structures was favored for most of the TTFs due to the availability of rock, the overall aesthetic of the trail system, and the potential to further develop and improve alternate trail lines and features in the future. TTFs on Quickdraw, Freeride, Rattlesnake, and Keyhole Canyon were replaced. On Keyhole Canyon, the old wood TTF was replaced in-kind with a steel frame and wood deck TTF (fabricated by Singletrack Trails) because sufficient rock was not available. Additionally as part of this work, a rock armored expert only alternative line was established through the signature keyhole.

New Signage to Improve User Experience and Accessibility

A key priority stemming from the TMP was the need to update trail signage. Old signs were often incomplete and sometimes confusing - particularly for new visitors. New signs, developed by SCTB and CPW will improve signage consistency throughout the network and notify users of the difficulty of the trail they are on. SCTB began the installation of the new signs in 2022 and will complete the project in the spring of 2023.

Next Steps

This initial phase addressed the most critical safety, sustainability, and natural resource priorities of SCTB’s land manager partners, CPW and BOR, but the vision for an overall improved trail system does not end there! The finalization of the TMP and the recently completed trail work have laid the foundation for further improvements and additional priorities to be addressed. Specific projects in the future could include improved trailhead infrastructure, enhanced technical canyon features for mountain bike users, enhanced beginner/novice access, and alternative trails/routes throughout the network.
After years of building the relationships and trust necessary to keep the South Shore trails open and the completion of this initial phase of trail improvement work, SCTB continues to be engaged in the future of the trails at Lake Pueblo State Park - both in the physical execution of volunteer trail work as well as in planning additional improvements with community input and feedback. The best way to stay involved is to join SCTB, volunteer on trail days, and follow SCTB on our social media accounts.