Mesa Land Trust builds new trails for National Public Lands Day

(KJCT)
Published: Sep. 24, 2016 at 7:51 PM MDT
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In honor of National Public Lands Day, the Mesa Land Trust teamed up with other local organizations to build some new mountain biking trails in the Lunch Loops.

“It's great to preserve land and have land set aside for views and natural beauty, but the best part is getting people out on to the land, and getting them using the land, and knowing that this is right in their own backyard," said Libby Collins with Mesa Land Trust.

Volunteers came out to flatten routes and pile rocks, creating the new trails.

Caprock Academy students were invited to help.

“I wanted to get involved. I'm here like twice a week, every single week, all the time," said student and volunteer Ashton Call. “I mountain bike here all the time, so I think it's really important to go ahead and build new trails.”

Collins said the very first adaptive cycling trail for wheelchair users will allow everyone to enjoy the sport and the beauty of the Western Slope.

“It’s the first one in the Valley, specifically made for them,” said Collins.

Collins said anyone can come out and participate in the trail building days.

“One of the things Mesa Land Trust really wants to do is work with people of all ages. Connect them more to nature, connect them more to our lands, our public lands, our conserved lands," she said.

"I think it's just a good opportunity to get a new experience under my belt and make new trails for others to enjoy," said Caprock Academy student and volunteer Rose Queally.

Mesa Land Trust has had this plan in the works for a few years, as they purchased the property in 2014. Six hours of trail work and 40 volunteers later, the project was complete.

Mesa Land Trust teamed up with Colorado Plateau Mountain Bike Association (COPMOBA), Great Old Broads for Wilderness, Tamarisk Coalition, and CSU extension to create the new trails.