As Moab continues to boast world-class mountain bike trails and recreation that draws visitors from around the world, two nearby towns are hoping to leverage the same enthusiasm and pump new life into their economy – and perhaps provide an alternative for Moab riders looking for new terrain.
The Colorado towns of Nucla and Naturita sit just over the La Sal Mountains, a relatively quick 80-mile drive from Moab. With populations of 700 and 500 respectively, the two towns mirror Moab in many ways: economies based around resource extraction (coal and uranium) that have declined in recent years, leading locals to begin new initiatives to promote the area as a destination recreation site.
West End Trails Alliance was founded originally as the West End Bicycle Alliance in 2014, with goals of advocating for safe cycling infrastructure in the West End (a region of around 2,000 square miles situated between Telluride and Moab). Over the years, they’ve expanded to focus on all non-motorized trails. WETA has led several key initiatives in the past decade, including work to preserve and reroute the Paradox Trail, a 118-mile route that connects the Kokopelli Trail and Tabeguache Route, forming the southern leg of the “Grand Loop” bikepacking route.
Now, WETA looks to continue their momentum and build the West End into a destination for outdoor recreation. Several grants and a close partnership with the BLM have invigorated their work of preserving the trails for generations to come.
For Moabites looking for new challenges – and more solitude – the region boasts similar stunning views and a variety of trails ranging from technical singletrack, to epic gravel routes, to road rides with beautiful red-rock backdrops.
Paul Koski, a lifelong cyclist, has lived in Nucla for 45 years and was one of the original founders of WETA, still serving on its board of directors today. He says that riders and hikers in the region will often go the whole day without seeing another person.
“Right now we’re in the planning stages of a large trails project,” Koski said. “We’re calling it the Sawtooth and Naturita Flat Tops Trails Proposal. It’s 54 miles of new singletrack in those two areas, and it’ll include four trailhead parking areas, a new campground, some climbing routes, designated downhill routes, and in some sections be ADA compatible for adaptive sports.”
Koski emphasizes that WETA welcomes recreators of all kinds, including embracing e-bikes, which can help riders of many abilities tackle the challenging terrain of the region.
The gravel riding in the area also draws visitors, with a yearly event called the West End Gravel Rush bringing in almost 150 riders in early September for a day of off-road riding and community activities.
Nucla also hosts the Grand Depart of the Grand Loop Bikepacking Race, a 365-mile self-supported bikepacking race recently resurrected after a decade hiatus.
Koski recommends any interested riders or hikers check out the West End region on Trailforks.com to see the full system. His personal favorite to ride is East Bench Trail of Martin Mesa, and he also recommends the Shamrock Trail and Blue Mesa Loop.
The area is packed full of doubletrack that “rides like singletrack,” according to Koski, in addition to true singletrack that mostly runs along old cow trails, much of it put in by the Civilian Conservation Corps.
Koski points out the sheer number of dispersed camping options in the area, deep into the canyons and along the Dolores and San Miguel Rivers. Riders and hikers in the region should be very comfortable with backcountry survival and bring plenty of water, as the area is high desert and incredibly remote.
WETA has collaborated with several Moabites and Moab organizations as they build out the trail systems, employing the expertise of locals in the areas of trail design and public land solutions.
Koski emphasizes the close partnership with the BLM and their work to put in legitimate trails that can be permitted and advertised to draw more adventurers to the region.
“This is really an economic development project. We’re building [trails] so that mountain bikers will come,” Koski said. In 2019, as part of Colorado’s plan to improve air quality, cut emissions and increase renewable energy production, power generating company Tri-State Generation shut down its Nucla power station. The nearby New Horizon Coal mine that fed the station also closed. This one-two punch took 80 of the best paying jobs in the region, and many families were forced to leave Nucla and Naturita.
WETA is focused on creating trails that draw in tourism and outdoor recreation tourism, reinvigorating local businesses.
At the same time, Koski recognizes that most in the area don’t want the towns to be turned into “another Moab,” with huge influxes of tourists and runaway development. Without easy major interstate access and two national parks nearby, Koski doesn’t see that being a problem for the more remote towns – but he does hope to see reasonable growth and perhaps a shift of younger families moving to the area, drawn by lower property prices and a tight-knit community.
For any Moabites looking to check out the area, Koski’s message is simple.
“Come into Naturita and get into the visitor center, or stop off at Paradox Cycle, or the Flying Bear pizza,” he says. “We have a lot of adventure riding, as we call it. And you don’t really know what’s around the next bend – it’s just a ton of fun.”
He recommends chatting to any locals, who will happily steer riders and hikers in the right direction as they look for new challenges.
Those looking to check out the region and get involved can join a trail construction project at Camp V, a boutique campground outside of Naturita, on Saturday, October 12th. The organization will be putting in one half-mile of new trail to help bypass a flood zone. The event will coincide with WETA’s 10-year anniversary, with Camp V opening part of their camping area for free for any volunteers.Future events will be publicized on social media, where those interested can follow WETA to see more (facebook.com/westendtrails, @westendtrailsalliance on Instagram.) Westendtrails.org has more information, including a full map of West End Trails, for any interested visitors.
