Happy Trails Update for Leadville Today

Wheelers Keep Pathways Open to All

Happy Trails! When it comes to foot trails and bike routes in Leadville Today, one of the reasons these pathways remain open and welcoming to all is thanks to the Cloud City Wheelers. Started in 2007, this group of pedal-pushers has been keeping things spinning and rolling down the trail for years. Whether it’s developing the miles of cycling trails for the Timberline Trail System or making sure that ALL kids in Lake County are taking a spin on two wheels, the Wheelers often takes the top podium spot when it comes to vision, planning and dealing with all of the federal agencies that have their say in much of the 75% open space Lake County still maintains.

So last Saturday, July 13, when LT got wind that the Wheeler’s Executive Director Sterling Mudge would be giving a presentation to the Friends of Twin Lakes about trails updates, LT showed up to record it so that everyone could be in the loop.

The video is about 30 minutes but gives the most accurate and precise information about trail updates and future plans for Lake County, as well as ways to provide feedback and become involved. There’s a lot of cool trail work going on, thanks to Sterling and the Wheelers!

Trail Building, Maintenance and What’s Next

Wheelers: Mission, Maintenance, Money & Membership

According to the Wheelers’ website, the group was “formed in 2007 after a devoted group of cyclists saw the need for an organized voice in the community. With the spirit of the original Cloud City Wheelmen group of the 1800s, we strive to serve the community of Leadville. We now play host to races and events, family group rides, ride to work days, volunteer days, trail building and maintenance, adult group rides all while trying to create and promote new and existing trails as an economic driver in Lake County.”

One of the Wheelers big summer projects gets underway this Saturday, July 20. So if you’re in town, stop by, support their efforts, pick up a shovel, write a check. It’s the inaugural Pedal for the Park event. According to the Cloud City Wheelers Facebook Page, “The First Annual Bike-A-Thon will be held this Saturday, July 20  from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to raise money for the Huck Finn Bike Park. Participants must raise $200 [or way more] and ride as many laps as they can/want in 8 hours. Each lap is 8 miles long for adults and 4 miles for juniors. There will also be a beer garden, silent auction, and a BBQ from Treeline Kitchen all benefiting construction of Leadville’s new bike park that includes a Velosolutions asphalt pump track!” The track is located off W. 4th Street by the Leiter Street baseball fields and the ice skating rink in Leadville.

The Cloud City Wheelers is a membership group and well worth the price of admission. Quite frankly, whether you’ve ridden a Leadville trail just once, or do it once a day, with annual membership under forty bucks, think of it as a donation and show of strength in numbers towards the Wheelers’ efforts towards the trails you enjoy! As Leadville’s local trail and bike club, they are responsible for the construction and maintenance of Leadville’s hometown trails, local rides, grassroots races, and volunteer opportunities. The more support local groups have, the stronger the voice of trail users like you. You can join the Cloud City Wheelers today!

Scenic Barn to Have Floating Trail

One of the more interesting concepts which was discussed at the Friends of Twin Lakes meeting was a floating walkway out by the historic barn that sits on the west end of Twin Lakes, close to the Village. It’s one of the most photographed scenes in the area, but the surrounding grasslands have been pretty marshy, particularly this year with historic snow levels and high spring run-off. Be sure to watch the (above) video to hear what might be next for this trail that leads out to the lakes. Pssst there’s also some interesting discussion on the gold mining operations in the area which became an interesting sidebar conversation for a couple of minutes. Stay Informed. Stay Involved.

One of the most photographed spots in Twin Lakes, the old barn at the west end close to the village has seen a pretty soggy spring – and summer!