Construction of the 7-mile Redstone to McClure Pass Trail is expected to begin later this summer, with protections for local wildlife, after the White River National Forest issued its final approval decision Friday. This photo shows an informal trail on the old McClure Pass roadcut in the Crystal Valley. Trail connectivity between Redstone and the McClure Pass summit is officially approved after months of negotiations.
The White River National Forest issued their final decision and what’s called a “Finding of No Significant Impact” on Friday, approving Pitkin County Open Space to build and maintain the trail across 5 miles of federal land. The 7-mile natural surface, non-motorized, multi-use recreation Redstone to McClure Pass Trail will be constructed within the Highway 133 right of way and along the historic Rock Creek Wagon and Old McClure Pass roads. Approximately 5 miles of the trail runs across federal forest land.
The approval came on the heels of a Pitkin Board of County Commissioners’ approval to amend the 2018 Carbondale to Crested Butte Trail Plan, which laid out potential trail connectivity within the county between the two mountain towns. Crested Butte is located in Gunnison County. The Redstone to McClure Pass Trail is the first trail out of the plan to face immediate construction, which comes at the direction of the county commissioners.
No other segment is currently under consideration for construction, said Open Space and Trails Director Gary Tennenba.