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Salida Mountain Trails is an all volunteer organization commited to building and maintaining sustainable, non-motorized, multi-user trails on public lands adjoining the city of Saliida. We are a chapter of Salida Parks Open Space and Trails, a 501c3 not for profit.
Progress on the Little Rainbow Trail
The proposed Little Rainbow is a 5-mile, non-motorized trail at the base of Methodist Mountain. This natural surfaced trail will lie just below the “powerline road”, and extend roughly from Castle Gardens to the east to County Road 110 at its western end.
The Little Rainbow will connect two existing trails, the Racetrack and the Skull Trail, and will be an important linkage in the development of additional trails on Methodist Mountain. The trail lies entirely on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land and was approved in the 2008 Arkansas River Travel Management Plan. Appropriate uses of this trail will include hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding.
Work which has been completed on the trail to date includes trail reconnaissance, flagging of the proposed trail route, and development of a GPS shape file. The BLM has constructed two trailhead parking areas to allow access to this system which are located at the end of “Burmac” road off Hwy 50, and on CR 110, near the powerline. In constructing the trail, a “hybrid” approach will be utilized, including community volunteers, youth conservation groups, and professional trail builders.
Thanks to local BLM representatives, mechanized equipment will be allowed for the initial work, which will markedly reduce construction time. A cost estimate to build this trail is around $40,000. We have currently secured funds from the City of Salida, Chaffee County, and private donations for approximately 75% of this cost. We are actively pursuing funds to pay for the remainder. You can help by participating in our “Buy a Foot of Trail” program or by donating directly to SPOT (Salida Parks Open Space and Trails) and designating your contribution to go to the Little Rainbow Construction Fund.
We are “selling” the Little Rainbow Trail by the foot. 5$ gets you your own piece of one great trail! Get yours Here.