This section of the trail runs through the patchwork of large hay fields that texture the Dallas Creek and Pleasant Valley drainages west of Ridgway. The highway travels this distance in roughly 12 miles as it travels up the Dallas creek. The old railroad bed used the Pleasant Valley creek watershed. The county has used the old Rio Grande Southern Railroad grade for much of County road 24. The balance of the old bed is on private land.

The potential interpretive sites along this section of the trail would be concerned with the agricultural and railroad history. Ridgway was the northern terminus of the Rio Grande Southern Railroad. A highway scenic overlook is situated near the top of Dallas Divide that provide spectacular views of the Mount Sneffels range, the Cimarron range, the Loghill escarpment, and the Pleasant and Dallas valleys. The Town of Ridgway has a centrally located park with beautiful large cottonwood shade trees, picnic tables, and public restrooms.

The ownership of land along the proposed routes is entirely private beyond the road and highway rights-of-way.

Two major options exist along the trail segment with minor alternatives for each.

Ridgway Town Park

This option would continue the trail along the highway right-of-way the entire length to the town.

Advantages:

• Shared expense with CDOT
• Ease of land acquisition
• Utilize existing overlook

Disadvantages:

• Proximity to motor vehicles
• CDOT has recently upgraded this section of highway and has no plans to modify it in the near future
• Bridge crossings needed at two Dallas Creek forks

Option 2 : Utilize the old railroad bed from the top of Dallas Divide, the highway right-of-way along County road 24, and rights-of-way or railroad bed to Town of Ridgway.

This option would head north at the top of Dallas Divide along the former railroad bed, head east and down through Pleasant valley, meet and continue on County road 24, meet County road 5 and continue to town or meet the old railroad grade and continue to town.

Advantages:

• Shared expense with county along county road 24 ROW, though lower traffic rates than state highway
• Separation of vehicles and trail for a large portion
• Enhanced experience relative to Option 1

Disadvantages:

• Land acquisition costs
• Higher maintenance cost due to remote location
• longer length than Option 1