Popular local mountain bike trail faced extensive damage from flooding
The beloved Pipedream mountain bike trail was significantly damaged by recent floods, posing challenges for the local biking community, Trail Mix volunteers and trail crew from the Grand County Department of Active Transportation and Trails.
This past week, a dedicated team of volunteers and crew members worked to restore the trail, but the extent of the damage means that not all sections will be rideable this summer.
“We spent the mornings this week working on Pipedream, trying to get it rideable after the floods,” says Evan Smiley, Grand County Department of Active Transportation and Trails operations coordinator. “We moved a lot of big rocks and got a lot done. Alas, we’ve run out of time to finish as our mountain season begins next week.”
Despite the evening heat, 12 volunteers joined the effort to move large rocks and soil, building up the washed-out trail or moving boulders that obstructed the way on July 3, building upon the groundwork laid by the crew earlier in the week.
“Pipedream is heavily used and loved by locals,” Smiley said, “so we delayed our work with the U.S. Forest Service up in La Sal Mountains to do some emergency maintenance.”
Unfortunately, part of the trail was too extensively damaged to repair in short notice.
“There are still several sections on the north end of Pipedream that have completely blown out,” said Smiley. For those eager to explore the trail, it’s important to check the updated map that highlights the rideable and non-rideable sections. Currently, the southern half of the trail is rideable but certainly more challenging than before.
However, the northern section between the south Jackson St. entrance and Aspen Street is damaged, with sections covered by rocks or “missing altogether in some parts.”
While the northern section of Pipedream is passable for careful hikers and runners, mountain bikers are advised to stay away.
The trail crew and volunteers plan to return when the weather cools down to continue the restoration work.
“We’ll be back down to the desert in September to give Pipedream and other trails the love they deserve,” said Smiley.
Stay tuned for more updates as the team continues their work to restore Pipedream to its former glory.
