The start of this study encouraged and influenced a resolution of trail location choices through consultations with representatives from CDOT, Telecam (the Lawson Hill developer) and the San Miguel Valley Corporation (owner of the valley floor). This resulted in the location and partial construction of a primary trail from the core of the Town of Mountain Village, into and through the Lawson Hill project connecting to the existing Galloping Goose and Telluride Highway Spur trails. There remain two stretches of this trail to be precisely located, however, major portions of the total distance are presently in use over partially finished trails. An alternative using the Colorado Highway 145 right-of-way along the Lawson Hill boundary has been initially discounted by CDOT.

Advantages:

• There is a reasonable grade for users from Telluride through the lower Valley Floor up to the Mountain Village core.
• The trail begins at the most dense population center and passes through or nearby two affordable/employee housing areas.
• The trail utilizes, for the most part, existing utility and old road or trail cuts, thereby avoiding destruction of forested areas.

Disadvantages:

• The distance between Telluride and the Mountain Village core is approximately six miles. Other reasonable options for the main trail were considered but would have entailed steeper grades and considerable side grade cuts into a forested and unstable hillside. One or more of these options may be developed in the future but only as a single track and possibly limited to foot and equestrian use.

Telluride Trail looking toward Telluride

Comments: Major trails in this area have been located and are partially constructed, with links to the San Miguel corridor trails on the old Rio Grande Southern railroad grade.

 

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