Nine miles of new trails open Saturday at Fishers Peak State Park, Trinidad
TRINIDAD, Colo. – Colorado Parks and Wildlife opens nine miles of newly constructed trails Saturday at Fishers Peak State Park, expanding opportunities for hikers and mountain bikers and creating new ways to explore the park throughout the year.
The three trails – Storyteller, First Spring and Chaquaqua (pronounced “cha-Kwak”) – open Aug. 15. The names are shared with the public for the first time in this news release as the park prepares to celebrate the additions with visitors Saturday. Staff members tested the new trails on mountain bikes and recorded the journey in the video linked here.
Together, the trails create new loop options that connect with Fishers Peak Trail, the park’s primary route to the summit. The new routes mean hikers and mountain bikers can complete loops back toward the trailhead instead of having to return the way they came. That will be particularly valuable during the park’s annual peregrine falcon closure, in place from March 15 through the end of July, when access to the summit is restricted.
“These trails give people more ways to experience Fishers Peak throughout the year,” said Crystal Dreiling, Fishers Peak State Park Manager. “We plan our trails with the visitor experience in mind, from the views and landscape to the stories people can discover along the way.”
Each of three new trail names reflects the landscape and history visitors encounter. First Spring takes its name from a longtime landmark on the property. Chaquaqua is named for the Chaquaqua Plateau visible from the trail. Storyteller invites visitors to look more closely at the landscape, from lightning-scarred trees to signs of past human use.
The trails take visitors through the ecological diversity of Fishers Peak State Park, from grasslands and piñon-juniper ecosystems into higher-elevation forests, with changing views and natural features along the way.
Also beginning Aug. 15, Goldenrod Trail opens to mountain bikes for the first time. The 4.7-mile trail, previously designated for hikers only, becomes a dual-use trail for hikers and mountain bikers, however bikers are only allowed to ride uphill on this trail.
Park staff invite the public to try out the new trails and celebrate the additions Saturday, Aug. 15, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., from the park trailhead.
Visitors can hike or bike at their own pace, participate in the untimed "Poker Hike and Bike" and join other activities with prizes. Events for children and families are planned. Park staff will be on site to hear feedback from trail users and share information about what’s next as planning and development of the park continues. Official Fishers Peak State Park merchandise also will be available for purchase during the event.
Hikers and bikers should begin early, carry plenty of water and food, prepare for rapidly changing mountain weather and remain on designated trails. At Fishers Peak, the trail is the shortcut. Leaving designated trails can quickly lead visitors into steep, rugged terrain and can result in becoming lost or requiring a search-and-rescue response.
For more information about the recent reopening of the Fishers Peak Summit Trail and preparing for a hike at the park, read Fishers Peak State Park summit trail opens for the season.
Fishers Peak State Park is open daily from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Currently, pets are not allowed at the park. A valid CPW parks pass or Keep Colorado Wild Pass is required for park entry. For current park information, trail maps and conditions, visit Fishers Peak State Park.
Media advisory: Members of the news media interested in covering the Saturday, Aug. 15 trail opening should contact Southeast Region Public Information Officer Dean Miller at [email protected] or call (719) 466-3927.
Additional park photos and B-Roll are linked at the bottom of the news release linked here: Fishers Peak State Park summit trail opens for the Season.
B-ROLL of new mountain bike trails linked here
B-ROLL from the Summit linked here
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