{"id":2043234,"date":"2026-07-14T16:55:00","date_gmt":"2026-07-14T13:55:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2043234"},"modified":"2026-07-14T16:55:00","modified_gmt":"2026-07-14T13:55:00","slug":"1-1-million-in-grants-will-add-10-miles-of-new-trail-in-silverton-colorado","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2043234","title":{"rendered":"$1.1 million in grants will add 10 miles of new trail in Silverton, Colorado"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"A<\/a>
File photos: Greg Heil<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Baker\u2019s Park in Silverton, Colorado, holds a distinction that sets it apart from other trail systems in the country. Not only will the trail system eventually reach an elevation of nearly 13,000 feet, but it is also one of the highest (if not the highest) purpose-built trail systems in the state.<\/p>\n

Phase 1 of the project saw seven miles of beginner and intermediate trails opened in the park. Now, with over $1 million in grant funds, the Silverton Singletrack Society<\/a> (SSS) is starting Phase 2, adding 10 miles of singletrack across 11 trails.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a><\/figure>\n

New trails in Baker\u2019s Park<\/h2>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s super rugged,\u201d Klem Branner, SSS Board President, told Singletracks when we first chatted about the project in 2023<\/a>. \u201cBasically, the mountain biking we have, you either ride on dirt roads, which is not a whole lot of fun, or it\u2019s kind of expert only [trails].\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Rugged is a bit of an understatement for describing the trails near Silverton. With the city itself sitting at more than 9,000 feet above sea level, pedaling any trail would have most of us struggling. But for Baker\u2019s Park, Silverton was able to add a different style of trail \u2013 machine-built, high-elevation flow trails.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Overall, the system utilizes a stacked-loop design with hubs and clusters. SSS worked with IMBA Trail Solutions on the design, and landed on a solution that offers users multiple options for getting up, down, and around Baker\u2019s Park based on skill level and available time.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Last year they added seven miles<\/a>, wrapping up phase 1. Over the next two summers, SSS looks to add 11 trails \u2013 seven this summer and four the next. In all, it will add about 10 miles, bringing Baker\u2019s Park up to nearly 20 miles total.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\"Two<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n

Branner told us the trails they are working on this summer include one beginner, five intermediate, and one advanced. \u201cThe plan is for the black to be directional and bike optimized,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

To be clear, the lion\u2019s share of the mileage at Baker\u2019s will be multi-use. Mountain bikers can expect to encounter runners and hikers using the routes. But Branner told us that six miles of the trail system will be DH, mountain bike-only. This phase 2 advanced trail looks to be the first black option in that mileage.<\/p>\n

Looking toward the summer of 2027, SSS will add four more trails \u2013 three more greens and another black. Branner said these four trails will total approximately three more miles.<\/p>\n

\u201cIMBA has been a key partner along the way,\u201d Branner told us. \u201c I doubt we\u2019d be where we are today without their help.\u201d Trail Solutions helped SSS put together the original concept plan, getting the ball rolling for the Baker\u2019s Park build. They also built phase 1 and are well underway with phase 2 construction.<\/p>\n

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The phase 2 trails will be roughly 29% beginner, 53% intermediate, and 18% advanced. They are also open to class 1 e-bikes, giving lowlanders a leg up on the elevation. Phase 2 construction also includes a restroom at the trailhead and signage around the system.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a><\/figure>\n

Trails aren\u2019t cheap<\/h2>\n

Branner told us that nearly three-quarters of the funding came from the Great Outdoors Colorado Community Impact Program to the tune of $750,000. Colorado Parks and Wildlife\u2019s Non-Motorized Trail Program is supporting the project with $250,000, as it did in phase 1. The Foundation for America\u2019s Public Lands provided $100,000, while the Colorado State Outdoor Recreation Grant provided $69,652.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Lastly, the San Miguel Power Association\u2019s Sharing Success Program awarded the project with a $7,500 grant, and the BLM is contributing \u201csignificant in-kind support for biological and cultural clearances, signage, and restrooms.\u201d<\/p>\n

A lot of trails are going to cost a lot of money. We looked into how much a professionally built trail costs at the beginning of 2026 and found a staggering price tag of $60,000-$80,000<\/a> per mile on average.<\/p>\n

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\"Two<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n

Across 10 miles, we can see how that overall price knocks on the seven-figure door. Fortunately for Baker\u2019s Park, grant funding has covered the major price tag associated with the build.<\/p>\n

While it may seem like a lot of money, compared to the cost of a regional sports complex, 10 miles of trails is pretty insignificant. Especially when you consider the amount of use.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cTrail counters recorded nearly 3,900 individual users in the system\u2019s first season, confirming strong demand for close-to-home recreation in a community that previously had no purpose-built trails,\u201d SSS said in a press release about phase 2 construction at Baker\u2019s Park. That was nearly 4,000 trail users accessing the new trails in a short period \u2013 Silverton is above 9,000 feet and covered in snow for much of the year.<\/p>\n

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\"A<\/a><\/figure>\n

30 miles of trails, half a mile from town<\/h2>\n

In the end, Baker\u2019s Park will boast 30 miles of singletrack within riding distance of Silverton. SSS says that when the park is completed, it will be \u201cthe most significant investment in public outdoor recreation infrastructure in San Juan County\u2019s history.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Branner said that he and SSS have their fingers crossed regarding opening new trails this season. With seven new trails being built this summer, crews will be working hard to complete the builds, potentially pushing into 2027.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cIf we are able to open anything this season, it will probably be at the very end for a very brief period of time before we have to close them for winter.\u201d<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<!–<\/p>\n

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File photos: Greg Heil Baker\u2019s Park in Silverton, Colorado, holds a distinction that sets it apart from other trail systems in the country. Not only will the trail system eventually reach an elevation of nearly 13,000 feet, but it is also one of the highest (if not the highest) purpose-built trail systems in the state. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[226,274],"class_list":["post-2043234","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-crawlmanager","tag-singletracks-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2043234","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2043234"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2043234\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2043234"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2043234"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2043234"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}