Hardscrabble Trails Coalition, in partnership with the VVMTA is proposing 11 miles of reroutes and new trails and reroutes in Town of Eagle Open Space and adjacent lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

These trails are proposed and not approved. All of these proposals are planned to undergo further environmental reviews to understand what impacts they may have. These environmental reviews will occur in the summer of 2025. After the environmental reviews are finished and analyzed, the BLM will release a draft Environmental Assessment in the fall/winter which will provide an opportunity for the public to comment. If approved, the plan is to begin implementation of the plan in 2026.

New Trails Proposed – East Eagle

1 – Pool/Ice Alternate Downhill 1.25 Miles

Proposed with the downhill experience in mind. Intermediate to advanced to allow progression from Pool & Ice. Natural and built features used to create a new, challenging experience.

2 – Haymaker to Boneyard 1.75 Miles

Proposed with the uphill experience in mind. Provides direct beginner-intermediate access from Haymeadow to support growth. Alleviates pressure from Boneyard Trail.

3 – Hillbilly Extension 1.85 Miles

Adds longer loop options while keeping trail inside existing impact of RoadGulch. Intermediate/Advanced, technical rocky experience.

4 – Additional Considerations

Large area of habitat left open for migration corridors, support conservation goals of Brush Creek Valley Ranch and Open Space owned by Eagle County and Colorado Parks and Wildlife.

New Proposed Trails & Reroutes – West Eagle

5 – School House Connector 1.25 Miles

Multi-use, multi directional trail built to provide connections to downtown and existing public parking, close hiking/dog walking loop. No public connectors to Seabury Street or Newquist Street. Public access will be from School House Rock and Kill Bill.

6 – Abrams Gulch Reroute

By re-routing Abrams Gulch we can improve and provide desired, easier area access without a new trail.

7 – Hermit Trails 3.76 Miles

Epic backcountry, technical trail. Outside of Hernage Creek watershed and within existing impacted area.

8 – Deadcow & Firebox Reroutes

Re-routes provide motorized & non-motorized access supported by RMSR, watershed improvements, significantly better access to Mike’s Night Out and Hermit Trail with limited new impact.

We couldn’t be more excited about this trails proposal. It reflects years of thoughtful planning, meaningful community engagement, and a deep commitment to balancing outdoor recreation with conservation. Every step was guided by a vision to improve access, provide new and unique trail experiences, protect wildlife habitat, and strengthen Eagle’s identity as a vibrant, outdoor-centered community. This project will preserve what makes Eagle special for generations to come.

How’d we get here? Almost 10 years of work and advocacy

BLM Resource Management Plan

In 2015, the BLM Colorado River Valley Field Office finalized their Resource Management Plan (RMP). This RMP sets the framework for how the BLM manages public lands surrounding Eagle for the next 20+ years. This planning process included significant public input over a three (3) year process. In the end, the RMP established the Hardscrabble-East Eagle Special Recreation Management Area (SRMA). Included in this SRMA designation was the allocation of 12-15 miles of new non-motorized trail in RMZ-1 (see maps below).

Town Of Eagle Open Space & Trails Master Plan

The plan being proposed is based on trail concepts approved in the Town of Eagle Open Space and Trails Master Plan. The public engagement process for the Town of Eagle’s Open Space and Trails Master Plan was extensive, inclusive, and guided by a desire to balance recreation and conservation. It included a roundtable meeting with key stakeholders (such as Colorado Parks & Wildlife, Bureau of Land Management, Eagle Valley Land Trust, Eagle County, Vail Valley Mountain Trails Alliance, Hardscrabble Trails Coalition, Mountain Trekkers and others), a community visioning open house attended by 50–60 people, and an online survey with 234 responses. Input was also gathered through focus groups on open space and trails, targeted outreach with community organizations, and multiple public meetings during draft review.

These efforts highlighted the community’s strong values around trail connectivity, open space preservation, maintaining existing infrastructure and wildlife conservation. The public supported new trails focused on improving the trail system opportunities and connections, while expressing concerns about impacts to wildlife and a desire for responsible recreation planning. In finalizing the concepts, additional input from the Town of Eagle, CPW, BLM and user groups (trail runners, hikers, bicyclists, motorized, equestrian users) was solicited and incorporated into the plan.

Eagle Trail Improvements - Phase #1

In 2024, the VVMTA and HTC celebrated a monumental achievement with the completion of Phase 1 of Eagle trail projects. This collaborative endeavor supported by the Town of Eagle and the BLM has significantly enhanced the trail network in the Eagle area, focusing on strategic reroutes, the development of trail hubs, improved navigation, and the decommissioning of unsustainable trails. The projects addressed critical objectives such as rerouting eroding trails, managing unsanctioned trails, performing trail maintenance, and implementing habitat improvement projects. These enhancements not only improve trail sustainability but also elevate the overall experience for all users. Phase 1 laid a robust foundation for this proposed Phase #2 of trail improvements in the Eagle area.

In the end, Phase #1 included decommissioning 15.63 miles of unauthorized trails, reroutes and improvements of over 5 miles of existing trail, and rehabilitating 3.85 miles of social trails.

Phase #2 Project Goals

• A sustainable trail system to meet the needs of the community for the next 20+ years.

• Balance recreation, wildlife and natural resources by placing trail concepts in areas with existing recreational impact.

• Ecological improvements to the Hernage Creek and Abrams Creek watersheds.

• Maintain open blocks of land to minimize fragmented habitat.

• Maximize new trail experiences with limited new mileage.

• Improve existing trails to provide better access to West Eagle.

• Provide different types of trail experiences for all users and abilities.

• Limit trail expansion in East Eagle beyond Road Gulch to preserve wildlife migration corridors.

West Eagle Watershed Improvements

The BLM hydrologist recommends trail alignments to have a buffer of 328′ of creeks to reduce watershed impacts. The Phase #2 proposals significantly reduce the impacts on watersheds in the Dead Cow and Firebox area. The existing Dead Cow and Firebox alignments parallel Abrams creek inside the buffer zones and have significant impacts. Currently, numerous creek crossings exist with no bridges in place. As part of the Phase #2 proposals, we plan to move trails outside of the buffer zones, away from the creeks, and also build bridges as needed and identified.

Overall, these changes are a huge plus for the creeks and watershed.

Existing trail alignments include:

• 3.5 miles inside the recommended creek buffer of 328′

• 6 existing creek crossings without bridges

• 2 large wetland areas

New trail alignments

• Remove over 3.25 miles of trail from inside the recommended creek buffer of 328′

• Reduction of creek crossings from 6 to 3

• Build bridges for all 3 creek crossings

• Moves the trails outside the wetland areas

If you have any questions please reach out to us Laura@HardscrabbleTrailsCoalition.org.

We need your feedback on a proposed trail project on the Haymaker berms. The work requires us to shut down the berms for 3-5 days in late July or early August 2024. The project will improve sight lines and get the Colorado High School Cycling League race back on the Haymaker berms.

In short: Haymaker is not only a heavily used trail by our community, but it’s used to host the Colorado High School Cycling League mountain bike races every fall. The race is four days of heavy use and maintaining the trail has been a challenge. In 2023 the Town of Eagle partnered with Momentum Trails to improve the sustainability of the trail and eliminate the need for 100’s of hours of maintenance and preparation to host the race. The project goals were met and the Haymaker berms came through the winter in the best shape ever. However, the changes made created two turns that the Colorado High School Cycling League felt weren’t compatible with the high school race so they re-routed the race off the Haymaker berms and onto Old Pool & Ice. We want to help get the race back on its original course as the Haymaker berms are a favorite of racers and fans alike.

We have a solution to change the trail to accommodate the race and maintain the sustainability of the trail. We believe it’s a win-win. The solution will improve this trail to ensure the Colorado High School League race uses this trail as it was originally for this very purpose.

What do you think?

Please read the notice from the Town of Eagle and provide any support, concerns, or questions to openspace@townofeagle.org or by contacting Brian Lieberman, Open Space and Trails Manager at 970-404-9710. We hope you agree and submit a letter of support and help us get this amazing race back on the Haymaker berms. If you haven’t watched the races, it’s amazing to watch all of the kids come down the berms with our entire community supporting this race. The berms make the venue uniquely accessible and provide a spectator and racer experience with incredible energy.

Hey Hardscrabble Trails Coalition Crew,

Just wanted to drop a quick note to say a massive THANK YOU for all your awesome support at the town meeting and those stellar emails you sent. Your efforts made a difference!
Great news - as of now, the first two loops of Haymaker are staying open. We believe your emails and showing up at the town meeting really helped swing things in our favor.
We're not totally clear on what's next, but we promise to keep you in the loop. As soon as we figure out the game plan, we'll send out some communication.
In the mean time, help us keep this trail open by Respecting the Wild! Keep your dog leashed on Haymaker, obey all of the trail closures that start on December 1st, and leave the wildlife alone. Showing our town that we care about how we get outside and recreate went a long way to help keep this trail open.

Once again, huge thanks for being awesome advocates for Hardscrabble Trails.

Thanks,

The Hardscrabble Trails Coalition Board of Directors

Update: We continue to have great discussion about this topic and as such we wanted to provide more data/learning information. The Colorado Parks and Wildlife gave a presentation to the Eagle County Board of commissioners on 11.1.2023. You can view that presentation here: Tuesday afternoon 10.31.2023 meeting

The presentation starts around the 40 minute mark. There is some great explanation about management plans as well as management targets and other data.

Here is some context on HTC's decision to push back on closing part or all of what is currently open of Haymaker in the winter:

We are basing our decision on data provided by the Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW).  We would urge people to get up to speed on this data so you have context:

1. Read up on the recommendations from the consulting group that the Town hired.  This is from the open house on the 18th - https://acrobat.adobe.com/link/track?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:a6943b26-1d5d-32f8-9a98-3b5c105d4306

2. Be sure that you know the actual numbers for our Elk herd that are collected and posted by the CPW.  These numbers are what the CPW uses to manage the herd and determine the number of hunting licenses, when to cull predators, and how to mitigate other herd disturbance such as human recreation and land development.

   
   Our management area is E16 (GMU 44, 444, 45, 57) - You can read the entire management plan by going here: https://cpw.state.co.us/.../pages/herdmanagementplans.aspx

To summarize from that document:

• CPW's management current target for herd size: 5500 - 8500

• Target for sex ratio: 18 - 30 bulls/100 cows

Have a look at the last herd estimates that come from the 2022 post hunt survey that the CPW conducted.  Here is the summary:

• Herd size: 8511

• Sex ratio: 24 bulls/100 cows

You can see these numbers here: https://cpw.state.co.us/.../2022ElkPopulationEstimates.pdf

You can see historic estimates here: https://cpw.state.co.us/thingstodo/Pages/Statistics-Elk.aspx

Based on the numbers that the CPW manages to, we talked with our local CPW enforcement officer, and he confirmed our assumption that the CPW would likely raise the number of cow tags issued next year to bring the herd back down to management target limits.  Great news for hunters and something we should all be aware of.

Lastly, we want to also address something we’ve heard referenced at public meetings: the calf/cow ratio.  As you can see in the E16 management plan, the calf/cow ratio has been going down year over year since 1969 - 2011 (there is not more public information than that as far as we can find).  The CPW also does not post these estimates and we've been told they do not manage to this number, so we've had a hard time really finding meaningful data, but from the management plan you can read:

"The post-hunt calf:cow ratio, expressed as calves per 100 cows, is used as an index of herd productivity.  This index grossly reflects the combined summer natality and summer-to-early winter survival rate of calves relative to cows. E-16 DAU plan (2013) 20  In E-16, the post-hunt calf:cow ratio has been in a general decline for almost the past 2 decades (Figure 9). In the 1970s and 1980s, the calf ratio was relatively stable, averaging 57 (excluding an outlier observation in 1975) in the 1970s; 56 calves:100 cows in the 1980s; and 54 in the 1990s. However, the observed calf ratio began declining in the late 1990s, and by the 2000s, the average was 40.  The current 3-year average (2009-2011) is 35."

The document does not specify what a healthy ratio should be or what, if any target the CPW has, but we asked our CPW officer, and he said 65 is where it should be.  We also started looking at current draft management plans that mentioned a healthy number for other areas should be 35 - 45 and our current data says 35.  We were told by the CPW officer that he can't comment on draft plans, so we'll leave them out of this discussion.  We can't give more meaningful data or insight than that, but we can say the herd has grown year over year for the last 4 seasons that we looked at which you can see from post hunt estimates (2019: 6180, 2020: 6970, 2021: 7597, 2022: 8511) so it would seem that the herd is reasonably productive.  We just want to make sure we provide any context we have on this data point as you may have heard it referenced in public meetings.  We are not a biologist and we don’t know what a healthy target should be here unless we’re given that data from the CPW, but it's just more data we should all consider.

The next point of contention here is the Haymeadow development.

You can see the site plan here: https://haymeadow.com/site-plan/

As you probably know phase one is already being built and directly adjacent to the first loop of the trail.  There is also a paved walking path that will remain open even though the soft surface trail would be closed (you can read more about that in the ERO plan above).  This will be exactly how we keep the paved trails open in Eagle Ranch during the winter, but close the bike trails.  Think about the snow removal machines that run in Eagle Ranch on those paved paths and the people that use them for recreation.  It will be the same in Haymeadow.  Next, you can see phase two of the development will be directly adjacent to the second loop of the trail.

It feels very hypocritical to close public land to recreation but allow a large development to run and operate in the same disturbance area.

HTC, VVMTA, and other user groups in Eagle have made many decisions to close trails, not build new trails in sensitive area, and work with land managers to mitigate our impact.  You can read about that in the many public trail plans and environmental assessments we've been involved in.

We decided to share this because the HTC board had a lot of questions about this issue during the open house on the 18th and we want everyone to know we are trying to find a reasonable balance between recreation and wildlife protection. Please remember the majority of our trails are closed to protect wintering wildlife, we did not oppose closing loops 3 & 4 of Haymaker and we help support and run eduction campaigns to improve compliance with closures.

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to email at info@hardscrabbletrailscoalition.com

The battle to keep Haymaker open during the winter continues.

Click here to read the letter HTC sent to the Open Space Recreation Advisory Committee and Town Council.

What Can You Do?

Attend the Town of Eagle Open Space Management Plan Open House on 10/18, all the details here.

Can’t make the meeting - fill out the survey here.

The Management plans are available to review https://eagleco.portal.civicclerk.com/event/2027/files

Want to see the Deer and Elk Herd numbers yourself? Here they are.

We heard you Eagle! We know you all like to bike! And we also heard that you want more expert riding options. We also think we need more beginner terrain to get the kids out - and all of us really. Soooo - what’s the perfect solution? A new community BIKE PARK!! Here’s your chance to help us bring this project to life.

We have been supporting the VVMTA for over 3 years on their efforts to advocate, plan, and partner with our community to get to this point. And we are oh, so close!

The Town of Eagle has committed $200,000 to the VVMTA to get the bike park built this year. We need $150,000 more from you, our community to get it built this summer/fall of 2023.

To see all of the amazing features, skills area, jumps and plans CLICK HERE. When you see how huge and fun this will be, we hope you join us and DONATE today.

Eagle Bike Park Design Concept

Save the Date - HTC Season Kickoff Party

When: Saturday, April 15th 4-7pm

Where: Mountain Pedaler, Eagle

Why: Because trails don’t open until 4/16 and we want to kick off trail season right

What: We’ll have some food and drinks, RAFFLES (Enduro entry anyone?), HTC Swag and a whole bunch of info.

Coming this summer

• Eagle Bike Park!

• BLM review and hopefully approval of EA 1 (that’s code for our summer trails plan)

  Full of key reroutes and a bit of fun new stuff

• Adam’s Way Connector to BCVROS Update

• Trail Crew Leader Training - if you want to learn, we’ll sponsor you

We were able to get a new EA (Environmental Assessment) submitted to the BLM this fall. It’s currently under review (which means NOTHING is approve yet). With any kind of luck we will be able to get started on these projects in the Spring of 2023. You’ll notice this EA focuses on cleaning things up. This is the first step in being able to utilize the additional approved mileage in the BLM’s Special Recreation Management Areas that are approved for mechanized use. Once we get this done we will submit another EA that focuses on new trails and really making some key new connections to improve the trail user experience while minimizing our impact.

Like any project, it takes money. The BLM will require studies prior to approving our plan. We’re hoping to raise $15,000 this year to help fund the archaeological, cultural and biological studies required.

See the full plan here

See the logic behind the plan here

Donate Today

Your donation will help fund trail projects in Eagle

The Town of Eagle is considering changing the date Town of Eagle Open Space Trails close for the winter season.  Below is the notice of the Public Hearing that will take place on Tuesday, October 11th at 6pm.

If you value being able to access Town of Eagle Open Space and being able to connect to BLM lands for the permitted non motorized and non mechanized uses during this time please come to the meeting or email openspace@townofeagle.org

Town of Eagle Fall Seasonal Closure Date Change from 12/15 to 12/1 

Notice is hereby given that the Town of Eagle Town Council will hold a public hearing at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 11, 2022. This notice is given pursuant to Section 6.03.090 of the Town of Eagle Municipal Code. The purpose of the hearings is to take public testimony and take action on the following items: 

1. Ordinance No. 18- 2022 “An Ordinance of the Town Council of the Town of Eagle, Colorado, Amending Section 6.03.090(A)1 of the Eagle Municipal Code, Regarding Seasonal Use Restrictions in Open Space Areas,” to Amend Seasonal Use Restrictions Dates from December 15 – April 15 To December 1 – April 15.
   

2. Resolution 77, Series 2022 "A Resolution by The Town Council of The Town of Eagle, Colorado, Amending Seasonal Use Restrictions Dates from December 15 – April 15 To December 1 – April 15 for Trails and Open Space Properties In Accordance with Seasonal Use Restriction Changes on Lands Managed By the Bureau of Land Management."

Public hearings are held at the Eagle Town Hall, 200 Broadway, Eagle, Colorado 81631. All members of the public are invited to attend the public hearings, whether virtually or in person, and give testimony on the application. Written comments may be submitted by mail to the Eagle Town Offices, P.O. Box 609, Eagle, CO 81631, or by e-mail to openspace@townofeagle.org. Further information may be obtained by contacting the Eagle Town Offices at 200 Broadway, Eagle, CO 81631, or by telephone at 970-328-6542. 

Starting in 2022, seasonal use restriction dates on lands managed by the BLM in the West Eagle/Hardscrabble area will change from January 16 – April 15 to December 1 – April 15. This area will no longer have a late-season hunt, and in partnership with Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), the BLM elected to make the change for the 2022/23 winter season. The Town of Eagle is considering changing the seasonal closure dates for trails and open space properties in the Town limits to match the new dates on lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management.

Thanks to everyone that came out for our first kick-off meeting of the season. In case you missed it, here are the key highlights from the meeting including a great way to get involved and other exciting announcements.

Trail Crew Lead Training with VVMTA and HTC

Location:  Singletree Community Center (Edwards)
Schedule:  Saturday - 8am-4pm & Sunday - 8am-12pm
Curriculum: Classroom and out on the trail (Berry Creek, Mesquite, or West Avon Preserve)

Both VVMTA and HTC are planning regular work nights throughout the season on Tuesday and Wednesday nights. We will also have special projects come up over the summer and need trained trail crew leaders to help make these work sessions possible.

If you are interested, and are willing to commit to trail building this summer, we would like to provide you with a $100 scholarship to attend this training. All we ask in return is that you help us lead our great volunteers on various projects.

If you are interested, please fill out this Google Form. We have limited spots available, so first come, first serve.

Public Meeting Highlights in Case you Missed It

• Save the dates for our Public Meetings at 6:00 pm 6/7, 8/2, 10/4. Locations TBD.

• HTC Regular Trail work nights on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday May - September starting May 18th.

  • Be sure to check out VVMTA work nights every Wednesday if you want to spend time on trails up valley as well.

• VVMTA/HTC have a new membership program where 100% of your membership goes to support local trails along with great rewards for your volunteer time. More details to come!

• All trails in Eagle are open. Remember that a muddy trail is a closed trail so keep an eye out on storms and be prepared to turn around.

  • Extra Credit is special - if you see the elk, turn around, let's give them some space. They like it there.

• Be sure to check out other volunteer opportunities with HTC and VVMTA

  • Wildlife Trail Ambassador

  • Adopt-a-Trail

  • Custom Trail Work Days for your team

• Other opportunities to share your opinion on local trails

  • Town of Eagle Open Space & Recreation Advisory Committee

  • Public input on the new Base Camp project with Town Council

• New Trails in planning

  • East Eagle climbing trail from Road Gulch

  • West Eagle connector from Riddle to Brush Creek Valley Ranch and Open Space

• HTC will be closing the lower two dispersed camping sites on Bellyache to better protect the trails and land

As always, thanks for all you do to support HTC and VVMTA. All of this rain is going to bring great riding and beautiful flowers. Eagle always dries out pretty quickly but a muddy trail is always closed so be prepared to turn around if you are leaving feet, bike, dog, moto, or horse tracks.