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ProtosbyDave~.BureauolUlndMa~agement An improved trail system will offer greater access to the Yampa River for rafters. The CRAIG - America's trail system is flourishing. A steadily growing trail ne!- work makes it easy and in- viting for people to escape urban chaos and enjoy till.:' outdoors. In Colorado, there are about 11.000 miles of back-country trails. most or C.S. Forest Service lands. However. even around towns and cities in the state, there are 600 miles of trails that allow people of all ages and interests to enjoy a nature walk. It is in Colorado's northwest corner that unprecedented cooperation among towns, counties and federal agencies of- fers the hope of a 300-mile-long trail sys- tem that would let hikers, bikers and walkers explore Routt and Moffat coun. ties from Steamboat Springs to the Utah border. The Yampa Valley Alliance - com- posed of Craig, Steamboat Springs and Hayden, Routt and Moffatt counties. the Bureau of Land Management, the Na- tional Park Service, the U.S. Forest Ser- vice, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the state - has been working sincE' 1990 to plan a trail system linking the 10 By Joanne Drtmer Denver Post Staff Wnter In" unusual display of cooperation, local communities and government agencies in Colorado are working together to establish a 300-mile network q,f trails that will run largely along the Yampa River Valley from Steamboat Springs to the Utah border. Juniper Canyon will be included in the new trail network. f-r-.-.-----= ---.1- I ~!J I , I MOFFATT i I I ~=r i I :. MOfIlH1f6nt Mayben Crair> r' Steamboat i I' Ya~ ~i""",v,_. "~~~' Spnngs I, . - - AiVer _,_~_;,~A~v,40 _I'-'~-/f~~.~ I j ~/-~ "''':Y. I ~\ Ii' ! ';i~~;-~8 L._._._. -----1 , ! ROIfTT The Yampa Valley Alliance is working on a trails along U.S. 40 and the Yampa River in plan to connect existing and proposed Routt and Moffat counties. communities and public lands, The pro- posed network wlll give the public more access to the Yampa River. and will eventually link up with other established trails such as the Continental Divide Trail and Kokapelli Trail outside Grand Junction. By cooperating early in the game, the officials involved hope to make collaborative decisions while shap- Tha De/1ver PoSt I BroceGa'" iog a new trail network. The goal of the unusual cooperation is to extend the tourism season in this area. In the fall, visitors - and their dollars - come prim.arily for hunting. Cold Spring Mountain, for example, is so pop- ular a hunter may wait 10 years to get an elk permit. In the winter, of course, skiing is the attraction, Both are popu- The Sunday Denver Post / Contemporary / May 17, 1992 lar, and lucrative. Hunting brings about $12 million to the local economy during the 45 days of the season. Steamboat Springs, which boasts more than I million skier daYs, gets almost two.thirds of its annuai $10 million sales-tax monies during ski sea. son alone. Visitors also provide a mas- sive financial shot in the arm to the local economy. There also IS a boost to the tourist industry from the 460,000 people who visit Dinosaur National Monument each year and the thousands who use the river. An inviting trail system could of- far better access to those who want to raft, cross-country ski. hike. ride horses. investigate historic and prehistoric arti- facts or watch wildlife. The beautiful Yampa River and its verdant valley make up the centerpiece of the proposed trail network. The Yam- pa River is the only remaining free-flow. ing tributary in the Coiorado RiVer sys- tem, and 83 miles have been designated for study under the Wild and Scenic Riv- er Act. Four endangered fish species can be found in the Yampa, and along its lush path can be seen bald and golden eagles, sandhill cranes and sensitive .