Trail surveys conducted in past years during spring, summer, and fall months indicate that as a whole, a minimum of 1,000 people utilize the core trail on any given day, with significantly higher use on weekends and holidays.  Multiple trail users, trail user groups, community groups and businesses have a real interest in the trail. The community’s mobility-impaired population makes extensive use of the Yampa River Core Trail, and several tourist-oriented athletic and cultural events, such as the annual pentathlon and Art in the Park, make use of the trail.  Multiple use of the non-motorized trail is harmonious and there doesn’t seem to be any particular trail user group issues or conflicts associated with it.  A city-wide transportation survey noted that expanding the urban trail system gets strong to moderate support from 92% of local citizens.

At present, the southern reach of the Core Trail dead ends at Dougherty Lane, providing users an unrewarding turnaround point that is not visually pleasing, nor does it provide a glimpse into our area’s pristine natural environment or historic heritage. Through his proposal, an attractive loop around the Legacy Ranch Hay Meadow would become the southern terminus of the trail, allowing trail users to visit a working ranch with open space preserved by a conservation easement, before heading back north.

In additional to providing for a recreational experience in a scenic working landscape, the trail extension will increase bird and wildlife watching viewing opportunities and create better access to many well-known and loved tourist attractions including the Yampa River both at the Chuck Lewis State Wildlife Area and beyond, providing additional opportunities for wildlife watching and fishing. It will link bicyclists more safely to River Road, a popular route for road bikers. It will provide safe access to the Haymaker Golf Course and Yampatika’s Environmental Learning Center at Legacy Ranch, two popular City-owned assets.  Currently, pedestrians and bikers wishing to visit these places are forced to utilize our main regional highway, Highway 40, to travel between town and the southern terminus of the trail. Safety concerns regarding the mix of vehicles, bikes, and pedestrians on the shoulder of Highway 40 has led to the high prioritization of this project. Colorado Department of Transportation studies show that Highway 40 is extremely busy and is near or at capacity in this area.  Safety concerns over the mixed use of Highway 40 by vehicles and recreationalists in this developing area of our community has prioritized the need for this trail extension. 

The Core Trail passes through historic and recreation sites, including ski jumping, rodeo, and hot springs spas.  The Trail links local cultural and recreational amenities including the Steamboat Springs Art Depot/Visual Arts Center, the Werner Memorial Library, the Community Center, Howelsen Hill Park, Steamboat Springs Health and Recreation Association Swimming Pools, Emerald Youth Park, Weiss Park, Snake Island, and other valuable open space areas along the River Corridor, including Legacy project open space lands. 

This project will extend the Core Trail approximately two miles to the south. Fencing will be installed around environmentally sensitive areas and a formal hard surface trail will be constructed providing for new, safe, access to an area that is heavily used for both pedestrian and bicycle commuting and recreational purposes.  Project components include routing the trail on in-fill areas devoid of critical or valuable habitat or wildlife and away from potential nesting areas, fencing off sensitive environmental areas, trail and river bank stabilization, weed control and revegetation of disturbed areas with native vegetation.  The project will mitigate negative impacts through directing recreational use within the corridor to the trail and away from sensitive areas using signage and fencing, establishing specific river access areas for boaters and fishermen, and creation of conservation areas, as needed, to protect sensitive vegetation and wildlife.

The hard surface portion of the trail is suitable for wheelchairs, strollers, bicycling, walking, skateboarding, roller skating/blading, and other non-motorized activities.  Year round use is possible since the trails are cleared of snow and are not muddy.  The adjacent soft surface trail is appropriate for runners, hikers, fisherpersons, equestrians, cross-country skiers, mountain bikers, and snowshoers.  In winter, the 4 foot wide soft surface trail is left unplowed for cross-country skiers and snowshoers.  Trail users will experience multiple benefits from this project, including 1) Connecting users in South Steamboat to already developed segments of urban trail in Steamboat Springs; 2) Increasing commuter safety between South Steamboat and the community; 3) Providing additional recreational trail opportunities; 4) Providing public access to the Yampa River in an environmentally sensitive manner; 5) Providing watchable wildlife opportunities to the public.  The entire Core Trail is a beginner trail that meets all standards for barrier-free accessibility, is designed to ensure full accessibility for all ability levels, addresses the needs of the physically challenged, and provides for the broadest possible use by all residents and visitors