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Spoke Talk: New map navigates Steamboat’s trails

Wendy Tucciarone/For the Steamboat Today
Spoke Talk is a weekly column by the Routt County RIders.
SpokeTalkgeneric

Wayfinding in the area is about to improve by leaps and bounds.

Routt County Riders, Bike Town USA, the city of Steamboat Springs, Steamboat Springs Chamber Resort Association and Steamboat Ski and Resort Corp. in partnership have created a waterproof and tear-proof trail map that covers all types of trails and suggested routes in and near Steamboat Springs.

Hot off the press, it’s on sale beginning this week at most Steamboat area bike shops, outdoor recreation stores and bookstores.



The map was produced by professional map makers Adventure Maps Inc. Headquartered in Oregon, the company has produced trail maps for numerous similar outdoor recreation areas, including Park City/Salt Lake City/the Wasatch in Utah; Lake Tahoe; Sun Valley, Idaho; Bryce Canyon; and more.

The company incorporates the latest mapping techniques and technologies to produce an accurate and easy-to-use trail map.



Through a series of meetings with local mountain bikers, road riders, hikers, equestrians and winter trail users, Routt County Riders compiled a bounty of information on favorite trails and routes.

We and Adventure Maps worked with the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, city of Steamboat Springs, Ski Corp. and other individuals and entities to verify the accuracy of the map and ensure it shows only approved and legal trails at the request of land managers.

We continue our work to gain legal long-term access to other “non-system” trails or get re-routes approved. The general public can help us prioritize on which non-system trails they would like us to focus.

The map concentrates on popular routes near Steamboat Springs — from the U.S. Highway 40 turnoff to Walden on the east side of Rabbit Ears Pass to Milner, from Oak Creek to Hahn’s Peak. It includes mountain bike trails, road rides, hikes, running routes, town routes, equestrian trails and winter routes and features trail and route descriptions. Once this first version sells out, we’ll work with Adventure Maps to revise it and incorporate new trails.

Supporting trail maintenance is one of our town’s biggest hurdles. In addition to wayfinding, this map diversifies long-term funding to help maintain local trails.

The folded map retails for $12.99, and $3.80 from every map sold goes directly to the Routt County Riders trail maintenance fund.

Interested in a laminated version to hang in your house or business? A limited number of laminated flat map sets is available through Routt County Riders’ website. The laminated flat map set (one sheet for each side of the map) is priced at $75 while supplies last, and all profits from the flat maps benefit Routt County Riders’ trail maintenance fund.

Another exciting aspect of this wayfinding project is that Adventure Maps will provide the city of Steamboat Springs the information contained on its map, and the city will be able to incorporate it on its website, creating a streamlined experience for trail users.

Stop by Routt County Riders’ and Adventure Maps’ tents at the IMBA World Summit Vendor Expo in Gondola Square this week, Thursday, Friday and Saturday afternoons. You’ll have an opportunity to take a look at the map for yourself and talk with the people who made it.

Wendy Tucciarone is a Routt County Riders member, volunteer and the club’s administrator.


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