Pitkin County Open Space Projects
The Pitkin County and City of Aspen – Open Space &Trails Board members have identified The Roaring Fork Valley Horse Council (RFVHC) as the equestrian entity they will work with, regarding any horse related issues. Projects such as the Cozy Point Equestrian Center, Glassier Open Space Management, Rio Grande Trail, the Village of Snowmass and Prince Creek. We need YOU to renew old memberships, become members, and find friends who love horses to join our membership ranks. Help us keep a voice in the land use management plans, for trails, truck & trailer parking and equine landscape in our Roaring Fork Valley.
http://www.rfvhorsecouncil.org/membership
Pitkin County is always taking public comment on "Habitat Preservation and Use" for all Pitkin County Open Space properties. This affects the wildlife. It is critical that everyone makes a comment on the Pitkin OST web site. We appreciate that Pitkin OST is purchasing land for open space. Oversight and enforcement of these areas is critical to keep them verdant, natural, and a place of peace and safety for wildlife.
Go to pitkinostprojects.com for more information.
Pitkin OST draft Policy:
The Open Space and Trails Program seeks to rely on the best available science for property-specific study of natural habitat conditions as the starting point for optimal allocation of use of funds or county open space lands across habitat, agricultural, recreational, scenic and other authorized open space purposes.
If such study reveals specialized habitat management needs, the program will seek to restore to healthy, natural function any degraded habitat, and will employ spatial or temporal closures or other appropriate mitigation to protect sensitive habitat from recreational or agricultural use impacts. Sensitive habitat may include those habitats used by rare and endangered species, Colorado Natural Heritage Program-ranked habitat types and protected conservation areas, as well as, habitat types used by more common species that have special needs such as critical winter or summer range, breeding/nesting areas and migration corridors.
Human uses will be planned and managed to minimize intrusion in breeding/nesting areas and migration corridors. Human uses will be planned and managed to minimize intrusion into the time periods and/or places of special habitat concern.
RFVHC Statement
Our Pitkin County Open Space land is precious, and paid for by the general public through our land taxes. The Roaring Fork Valley Horse Council (RFVHC) is concerned about the biodiversity and compatible human use on these lands, and also the BLM holdings.
Thank you for protecting the natural habitat in our valley.
RFVHC Board of Directors
Our Pitkin County Open Space land is precious, and paid for by the general public through our land taxes. The Roaring Fork Valley Horse Council (RFVHC) is concerned about the biodiversity and compatible human use on these lands, and also the BLM holdings.
Thank you for protecting the natural habitat in our valley.
RFVHC Board of Directors
Glassier Open Space and the RFVHC
Glassier Open Space - Access to The Crown (9100 acres crisscrossed with existing two track trails, located
between Emma and Carbondale) Our goal is to ensure that there is secure, ample, equestrian truck and trailer
parking, with safe bridle path access to the trailhead, where ascending trail from the valley floor, would be
climbing trails, with switchbacks, so that horses would not stress their stifles or hocks when descending. We
will work with the Roaring Fork Valley Mountain Bike Association to design a trail where bikes and horses can
see each other from far off, to avoid sudden encounters. On the steeper grades the horses may have their own
tracks. If it is done properly, it will be safe, and a great cross training, change of scenery, alternative to
the arena.
between Emma and Carbondale) Our goal is to ensure that there is secure, ample, equestrian truck and trailer
parking, with safe bridle path access to the trailhead, where ascending trail from the valley floor, would be
climbing trails, with switchbacks, so that horses would not stress their stifles or hocks when descending. We
will work with the Roaring Fork Valley Mountain Bike Association to design a trail where bikes and horses can
see each other from far off, to avoid sudden encounters. On the steeper grades the horses may have their own
tracks. If it is done properly, it will be safe, and a great cross training, change of scenery, alternative to
the arena.
UPDATE FOR PARKING WITH ACCESS TO THE CROWN TRAILS:
Planning for parking lot to serve Glassier takes shape.
A planned trailhead at the corner of Hooks Lane and Hooks Spur Road, which will serve Glassier Open Space and the Rio Grande Trail, has taken shape on paper. So has a new path between the parking area and Glassier. Click the photo for more on this planning effort.
PARKING PLANS
Pitkin County is in the process of acquiring one acre at the corner of Hooks Lane and Hooks Spur Road to provide recreational parking for Glassier Open Space. County commissioners are expected to make a final decision on putting this parcel under contract on June 10. Then, the parcel will be subject to the Eagle County subdivision process, which will take about three months. Pitkin County would assume ownership in October. In the meantime, design work is under way for a parking lot at this site with the expectation that an unpaved parking lot would be created in 2016. At a May 29, 2015 site visit, equestrians and others looked at the potential for horse trailer parking at this lot, as well as on Glassier Open Space itself. No decisions were made. The minutes of the site visit meeting are posted here. Watch this site for further information regarding parking.
UPDATE FOR RFTA SOFT TRACK AT GLASSIER
RFTA soft Track from OST Truck and Trailer Parking area at the crossroads of Hooks Lane & Hooks Spur Road, and leading to the Crown Mountain Trail Head access, has been approved by RFTA for implementation staring this summer of 2016.
Brett Meredith of RFTA Trails Department reported that the project was an improvement to an existing access point next to the RFTA existing parking area.
The soft track will be a 4’ wide path of natural surface, and will be accessed for improvement to footing if necessary. The design phase for this project will start this spring, and construction will commence mid summer, using the same construction people who will be building the multi use (truck and trailer included) parking area mentioned above.
THANK YOU FROM THE RFVHC:
Thank you Pitkin County OST, Gary Tennebaum, RFTA Trail Department, Brett Meredith and Staff, and RFTA Board!
The equestrian community is excited the use of parking and soft track, and most appreciative of your consideration to preserve equestrian use in the Roaring Fork Valley.
Pitkin County is in the process of acquiring one acre at the corner of Hooks Lane and Hooks Spur Road to provide recreational parking for Glassier Open Space. County commissioners are expected to make a final decision on putting this parcel under contract on June 10. Then, the parcel will be subject to the Eagle County subdivision process, which will take about three months. Pitkin County would assume ownership in October. In the meantime, design work is under way for a parking lot at this site with the expectation that an unpaved parking lot would be created in 2016. At a May 29, 2015 site visit, equestrians and others looked at the potential for horse trailer parking at this lot, as well as on Glassier Open Space itself. No decisions were made. The minutes of the site visit meeting are posted here. Watch this site for further information regarding parking.
UPDATE FOR RFTA SOFT TRACK AT GLASSIER
RFTA soft Track from OST Truck and Trailer Parking area at the crossroads of Hooks Lane & Hooks Spur Road, and leading to the Crown Mountain Trail Head access, has been approved by RFTA for implementation staring this summer of 2016.
Brett Meredith of RFTA Trails Department reported that the project was an improvement to an existing access point next to the RFTA existing parking area.
The soft track will be a 4’ wide path of natural surface, and will be accessed for improvement to footing if necessary. The design phase for this project will start this spring, and construction will commence mid summer, using the same construction people who will be building the multi use (truck and trailer included) parking area mentioned above.
THANK YOU FROM THE RFVHC:
Thank you Pitkin County OST, Gary Tennebaum, RFTA Trail Department, Brett Meredith and Staff, and RFTA Board!
The equestrian community is excited the use of parking and soft track, and most appreciative of your consideration to preserve equestrian use in the Roaring Fork Valley.
Glassier-Crown site visit Oct 19th, 2014
Please see our letter to Pitkin County Open Space & Trails Board. Open Space Letter (12/20/2014)
Please see our letter to Gary Tennenbaum. OST - Gary Tennenbaum equestrian Parking Letter (2/12/15)
Please see our letter to the Pitkin County OST Board & Staff. Ag Leases & Parking. (2/15/2015)
Glassier Equestrian Trail access to the Crown is closed at this time - Link to Letter (4/15/15)
May 29 2015 Glassier Site Visit Minutes
RFVHC Letter
(6/20/15)
Dear Steve, George, Howie, Graeme, Dale, Gary, and Janet,
Thank you all so much for attending the Glassier site visit for the accommodation for equestrian truck and trailer parking. I have more understanding and great appreciation for your Pitkin County Commissioner and OST Staff and board member jobs. The task of balancing public wishes, preserving our environment, and making all governmental projects functional as well as beautiful is challenging. Both of you care deeply concerned about our valley and it’s residents, and I thank you for your efforts and time.
The Roaring Fork Valley Horse Council is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization, with all of its’ members being volunteers. No one is being paid. We represent a community of people who have been disenfranchised over the last 10 years. The horse industry, our western heritage, and the local rural character of our valley are closely linked and generate a strong sustainable economy for the Roaring Fork Valley. We are in the process of putting the data showing the income generated by this industry for our economy. We are very appreciative of your consideration to provide parking so that horseback riders can enjoy riding the 9,100 acres on “The Crown”. We are disappointed that we cannot use the parcel C lot for this summer’s temporary truck and trailer parking. The bikers and hikers have parking at the RFTA lot across from Carrecarte, and have access to the Glassier -Crown Trail at this time. Brett Meredith said that the equestrians could use the small, RFTA parking lot at the busy confluence of Hooks Lane and Hooks Spur, and ride our horses down Hooks Spur Lane with traffic to the Glassier-Crown Access Trail. During the site visit, Bret Meredith indicated that soft track could be put in on the RFTA trail to link Carrecrate to the Glassier-Crown Trail. We met with Brett immediately following the site visit to discuss this possibility. He said although it was possible it would take years to implement, and he asked for the RFVHC to help acquire the money to achieve any unforeseen future soft tack in that area. Long story short, we would be riding down Hooks Spur Lane with traffic for an undetermined number of years.
The Carrecarte parking area is a 1-acre area, which will be constrained to only one or two horse trailer spots, mixed in with the many cars for bikers, hiker, and anglers.
The crossroads of Hooks Road, Hooks Spur Lane, and RFTA Rio Grande Trail and the heavily traveled Basalt trail system connecting to the Rio Grande, make this highly congested area. We are waiting for a new alternative design for the parking and safe soft track access to the Glassier-Crown Trail. Most equestrians no longer have the standard two horse rigs of the sixties and seventies, therefore a standard trailer size with a truck is 40 to 45 feet plus.
The number of parking spots for truck and trailer parking should be equal to the cars spots for bikers, hikers, and anglers, some with boats. Each individual vehicle can accommodate multiple numbers of bikers, hikers and anglers. A truck and trailer for 3 horsemen is about 40 feet long. If you feel that you must put truck and trailer parking at the busy Carrecate acquisition property, then to be fair, you should put more parking at the brick house with overflow at Parcel C, if you are opposed to putting all the parking for horsemen on Parcel C. You have not identified one user group as having priority over another, so to be honorable you should provide equal parking for all. We are not asking for special consideration, we are asking for equal consideration. One horse trailer can carry 2 to 4 horses for 2 to 4 human riders. One car can carry 2 to 4 hikers or biker riders. Horses helped men settle the West, and horses are inextricably intertwined with our local Western Heritage. We are asking for equal user rights to help support the sustainability of our equestrian community.
We want to set the record straight regarding the public process and steering committee meetings, which went on for a year. Leslie Thomas and I, Holly McLain, were on the Glassier Steering Committee, and went to all of the meetings as representatives of the equestrian community. Many wonderful things were accomplished. Recreational parking was not one of them. Parcel C and the Carrecarte parcel were identified as potential recreational parking. We expressed interest to be included in the Ag meetings, so that we could better understand the parcels and try to help implement some logical truck and trailer parking. We were not included in the Ag meetings. At this juncture the RFVHC made plans to become a joint partner with the Ag leaseholder on Parcel C, to insure truck and trailer parking. We decided not to pursue this action, but rather wait for the second reading of the Ag leases by the BOCC.
- Please see our attached time line of dates and meetings for truck and trailer parking.
The Glassier property should be an easy parking problem to fix. The Parcel C was traditionally used for trucks, trailers, haying and ranch machinery, and in the end turned into a bone yard. The Glassier family actively used their potato cellar and the parking area for their vehicles on Parcel C, because the river-bottom gravel base was sound and stayed dry. We think the Carrecarte lot improvements and the Glassier Ranch improvements will provide existing soil material to create a small berm on a short section along Hooks Spur Lane, and another short section of berm along the proposed Glassier Trail, which will shield truck & trailer parking from view. The berms could be planted with fruit trees, native grasses, or whatever vegetation is desired. This parking would only be in use during the short summer season. RFVHC strongly recommends Parcel C for truck and trailer parking.
Sincerely,
Carol Dopkin – President
Holly McLain – Communication Chairman
Leslie Thomas – Membership Chairman
TIMELINE
- At the BOCC meeting on March 25th, for the 2nd reading for Ag leases the RFVHC, our RFH Pony Club members and other community members made a plea to have equestrian parking included in the legal AG lease language, on Parcel E around the house, but preferably on Parcel C. All leases were approved with the addition of language on leases for Parcel E & C, which specifically allows for truck and trailer parking.
- At that meeting Gary said there would be an up-coming Glassier site visit for the equestrians at Glassier. At the next OST board meeting we again asked for the promised equestrian parking site visit, and Steve & Rachel said they would like to be included.
- On May 4th, after receiving a notice from OST to: “Get Ready To Ride ” - The Crown opens May 16th. Carol Dopkin emailed Gary asking about her ability to park and ride, as she assumed that the notice was for all users. His email back to her stated that this was not the time and we would be included later. At our next BOCC meeting we pressed the site visit issue, and finally Gary was prompted to make the site visit happen.
RFVHC Letter
(6/26/15)
To BOCC, & OST Board and Staff,
Please include the attached minutes from the Glassier, May 29th site visit for those who were not present to read. To further clarify the design of the parking area with respect to the number of spaces for cars, trucks and trailers. We wanted to point out that most vehicles carry 4 hiker-bikers, and each truck and trailer can carry, on average 3 horsemen. So, if you have a parking area designed for 30 cars that is potentially 120 hikers and bikers, and if you had only two truck and trailer spots, that would only service 6 horsemen. That is why we are asking for equal consideration when you are designing the parking spaces. On our last visit to Glassier on June 15th, for trail design with Mike Pritchard of the RFMBA and Gary Tennenbaum of OST, the RFVHC truck and trailer parked on parcel C, with full summer irrigation water flowing. Rory Cerise confirmed that this was the case. The Parcel C was dry and we had no trouble parking or turning our rig around to exit. We feel strongly the Parcel C is safe, solid, and ready to go for equestrian parking.
Thank you for your time and sorry that the minutes and this comment were added after the fact.
Sincerely,
Holly McLain – RFVHC Communication Chairman
The Rio Grande Trail
Another important issue to help the RFVHC acquire more soft track for our equestrian use.
History: The Rio Grande Trail traces a 42-mile transportation corridor between Aspen and Glenwood Springs that has functioned as a key connector in the Roaring Fork Valley since the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad raced to lay tracks to Aspen more than a century ago.
Unique Qualities: The Rio Grande Trail is a long Rails-Trail multi-use connector through the spectacular Rocky Mountains. The Rio Grande Trail links our mountain communities together. It provides access on both side of the Roaring Fork River to a multitude of beautiful trails offering jaw dropping vistas and right up close interaction with wildlife and wildlife habitat.
RFTA Soft Track – We are lobbying to have RFTA put in soft track, 8 feet wide trail with safe footing for
horses from Aspen, (some already existing) to Glenwood Springs. Some existing soft track sections are too
narrow with drop, off, side shoulders, which are not safe. Our mission is to make all equestrian trails safe,
especially where multi use with bicycles will occur. The busy asphalt Rio Grande bike paths are not compatible for
metal horseshoes, and are dangerously slippery. Add the bike traffic, and disaster ensues. The horse community is
now galvanized, with a strong membership base. All of the green pastures that you see, while driving down Valley
from aspen to Glenwood, are most likely kept open and undeveloped by landowners for their horses. Our
equestrian community is asking RFTA for equal consideration, along with the bicycles and hikers.
Letter to RFTA - Soft Track For Horses (2/11/2015)
Rio Grande Trail Management Plan Update Letter (4/10/2015)
Pitkin County is responsible for the Rio Grande Trail from Aspen to the Emma School area. To make the entire Rio Grande Trail with a soft track alternative for horses, we need to contact and encourage our land managers.
horses from Aspen, (some already existing) to Glenwood Springs. Some existing soft track sections are too
narrow with drop, off, side shoulders, which are not safe. Our mission is to make all equestrian trails safe,
especially where multi use with bicycles will occur. The busy asphalt Rio Grande bike paths are not compatible for
metal horseshoes, and are dangerously slippery. Add the bike traffic, and disaster ensues. The horse community is
now galvanized, with a strong membership base. All of the green pastures that you see, while driving down Valley
from aspen to Glenwood, are most likely kept open and undeveloped by landowners for their horses. Our
equestrian community is asking RFTA for equal consideration, along with the bicycles and hikers.
Letter to RFTA - Soft Track For Horses (2/11/2015)
Rio Grande Trail Management Plan Update Letter (4/10/2015)
Pitkin County is responsible for the Rio Grande Trail from Aspen to the Emma School area. To make the entire Rio Grande Trail with a soft track alternative for horses, we need to contact and encourage our land managers.
RFVHC will let you know about upcoming meetings for your support.
SNOWMASS VILLAGE HORSE TRAILS
Equestrian Trails in and around Snowmass Village
October 2015
The RFVHC is excited to be working with Andy Worline and the Parks and Recreations Dept. Steering for Equestrian Trail Connectivity throughout the Town of Snowmass Village. Here is the map (showing in pink) the existing equestrian Trails at this time.
RFVHC members will be riding and exploring the TOSV trail systems this summer and will work with Andy to suggest loops and connectivity for our equestrian community.
Click here to view the equestrian trails map unreadable map
The Town of Snowmass Village has formed a steering committee to explore trail use, connectivity, and safety for all users. The RFVHC is well represented and the letter below was generated by Suzie Karlinski, to express the equestrian interest, and hold a key voice in the process.
Memo to: Andy Worline
From: Suzy Karlinski
Date: 10-23-15
RE: Snowmass Village Equestrian Trails
I am writing this on behalf of the equestrian members of the POSTR Steering Committee, as a member of the Roaring Fork Valley Horse Council and as a 16- year equestrian resident of Snowmass Village.
Goals for the equestrian community are:
1. To have safe ‘shared’ trails throughout the Village. What are ‘safe’ shared trails? Bikes and horses can safely share trails when trail design allows a horse sufficient visual advance of oncoming bikes (in other words, straight-aways are generally safe whereas repeated hairpin turns are not). Another aspect of safety is that horses have a flat place to move off the trail in order to allow for passing bikes. In areas of the trail where there exists steepness on both sides of the trail, that is considered unsafe for horses.
2. To specifically identify unsafe equestrian trails. For example, parts of Sky Mountain (which is a shared trail) are safe for shared traffic and certain parts are not. We must identify the unsafe parts of Sky Mountain (and all other shared trails).
3. To create separate, dedicated equestrian trails where current shared trails are determined unsafe for horses.
4. To have connectivity of all trails.
5. To create, where necessary, new trails that meet our connectivity goals. We would like to see an entire loop from rodeo grounds, over Sky Mountain to Tom Blake, to the Mall, to the Rim Trail, back to rodeo grounds.
6. To open Cozy Line Trail, Tom Blake, Ditch Trail, Sleigh Ride Trail, Government Trail officially to horses and/or create parallel alternates where it is deemed unsafe for horses to share those trails with bikers.
7. To ensure adequate parking and turn-around for horse trailers at trail access points throughout the Village.
In review:
- There is no connectivity from Owl Creek to the rodeo grounds.
- Sky Mountain trail is shared with bikers and is unsafe in some places.
- Trailer parking at the cemetery is an option that needs to be explored but we need equestrian trails that can take us from cemetery parking to Tom Blake and to the rodeo grounds. Perhaps Highline or Lowline need to be a dedicated equestrian only trail.
- The current Tom Blake equestrian trail only goes so far. We need a trail that will take us to the Mall, connect with Government and down to the Ditch Trail.
- The entire Rim Trail should somehow be made open to horses. Again, new adjunct trails may need to be constructed.
- Parking at the rodeo grounds is excellent but the lot is frequently closed.
- Parking at Tom Blake is very congested in the summer and rarely allows for trailer parking.
- Parking at Two Creeks is very good but trail access & connectivity are bad.
- Parking at the Divide is congested in the summer and not always conducive to trailer parking, but is a great place for horses to access trails.
- Parking at Cozy Point is good but we would like to be able to access Sky Mountain trail via Cozy Line.
Snowmass Village has a long history of equestrian activity. Horses are a distinct part of our Village heritage. Horses were using trails and in fact, creating most of the existing trails, long before bikes, or for that matter, skiing, came to Snowmass Village. We understand the popularity of mountain biking and the financial impact it has on the community. However, which group has a perceived greater value or sense of importance must not be drawn. As well, which group is greater in numbers should not enter into the planning of trails. We believe that bikers and horses can and should co-exist. It’s just that with the emergence of mountain biking on our trails, the dynamics of trail use has changed. Not so many years ago, equestrians rode Snowmass Village trails and rarely saw a biker. Now that trail use and design is being discussed, it is critical that the equestrian piece be included.
Crystal Valley
Upcoming Pitkin County Open Space and Trails Meetings
Pitkin County Open Space and Trails will host a second public open house to kick off this planning process on Jan. 18 from 5-7 p.m. at Carbondale Town Hall. The initial open house took place Jan. 12 in Redstone. Citizens are also welcome to fill out our questionnaire at the Carbondale event, where Open Space and Forest Service personnel will be on hand to answer questions. No formal presentation is planned as part of the open house format, but maps of the Crystal Valley corridor will be displayed to aid in the discussion of ideas or concerns. The goal is to collect public feedback at the outset, before work is done on planning a potential trail route.
Go to:
http://www.pitkinostprojects.com/carbondale-to-crested-butte-trail-plan.html
GOVERNMENTAL CONTACT WEB SITES
Aspen Valley Land Trust – www.avlt.org
Pitkin County OST- www.aspenpitkin.com/departments/open-space-trails
City of Aspen OST - www.aspenpitkin.com
RFTA – www.rfta.com
Eagle OST – www.eaglecounty.us
Town of Basalt – www.basalt.net
BLM - www.blm.gov/co/st/en.html
Colorado Horse Council - https://www.coloradohorsecouncil.com