2024 Recap Report

In 2024, the Telluride Mountain Club (TMtC) flourished through the dedicated efforts of our Board of Directors, committed staff, and generous donors and members. Together, we advanced our mission and contributed to making Telluride an outstanding place for outdoor recreation. Please consider supporting TMtC with an online donation by clicking here.

We’re thrilled to share some of our key achievements from 2024 in the summary below, followed by more detailed insights. A heartfelt thank you goes out to the Telluride community and everyone who supported our organization this year. Your continued support drives our success. We look forward to enjoying the trails with you in 2025!

2024 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Trail Planning, Maintenance & Execution

• Trail maintenance: Cleared over 125 downed trees from 22 different trails.
• Signed a contract with SE Group to complete the required National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analysis on TMtC’s proponent-driven Trail Proposal. Coordinated with San Miguel County, Town of Mountain Village, and Town of Telluride to help with funding. 
• Initiated heavy maintenance on the United States Forest Service (USFS) portion of the Valley Floor Trail to make it more accessible to adaptive bikes, maintain consistency and improve overall user experience.
• Worked on Wasatch Connector and Magic Meadows to improve drainage, rake rocks, lop overgrowth, and redefine sections of trail in the alpine zone.
• Removed four trash bags of invasive thistle from the Deep Creek Trail with the support of Telluride High School’s National Honor Society.
• Collaborated with the USFS to scout, plan, and assist with communication and logistics for significant maintenance work and re-routes on the Jud Wiebe Trail.
• Cleared corridor and removed trees on Hope Lake Trail with TMtC admin team.
• Identified future trail opportunities to aid in improved trail connectivity and variety.
• Worked with USFS to purchase and install new signage for 7 regional trails.
• Hired three new Trails Maintenance Specialists to support our Trails Director with quick trail fixes and larger projects.
• Purchased three new trail counters (for a total of five) and placed them on Bridal Veil Trail, Via Ferrata, Eider to Mill Creek Connector Trail, Wasatch Connection and Valley Floor Trail to secure regional trails data.
• Coordinated with regional governments, towns, and other land managers/entities on the subject of trails, trails funding, stewardship, access, maintenance, and trail etiquette.
• Collaborated with private landowners and homeowners associations to discuss formalizing public access to trails on private property.

Education, Awareness & Stewardship + Other Trail Initiatives 

• Shared social media ads targeted at people visiting Telluride, promoting proper trail etiquette, personal responsibility, and stewardship.
• Continued promoting trail etiquette messaging and visual assets for community use.
• Hosted three volunteer trail work days with the general public, Telluride Rotary Club and Telluride High School’s National Honor Society.
• Distributed trail updates, clearing and closure info, and news on our website, Facebook and Instagram.
• Published press releases about important trail information to the newspaper, KOTO, and other local news sources.
• Expanded our Opt in for Trails program to generate dedicated trail funding.
• Commented on the draft GMUG Forest Plan and CDOW’s SCORP Plan.
• Joined the Colorado Mountain Bike Coalition.
• Joined the Fix CRUS Coalition to advocate for liability protections for private landowners, encouraging them to keep trails on private land free and open to the public.
• Provided e-bike materials to local bike retailers to educate customers on permitted e-bike areas and provide safety tips.
• Created “Mountain Safety Tips” print collateral for the Telluride Tourism Board to distribute to visitors at the Visitor’s Center.

Noteworthy Programming

• Hosted three Mental Health in the Mountains events to educate the community on the connection between mental health and our mountain passions.
• Partnered with the Telluride Historical Museum on a Hike Into History event to inform patrons about the history of Telluride’s trail system.
• Facilitated a wilderness first aid and backcountry preparedness workshop in Spanish to support outdoor education for Telluride’s Spanish speaking community. 
• Organized our annual Party in the Park to raise awareness about TMtC’s work and to raise funds for trails projects.
• Successfully completed year three of our free outdoor recreation gear drive and distributed items to 250 people at CAFI’s annual Community Fiesta.

Telluride Via Ferrata

• Coordinated Via Ferrata upkeep needs with Via Ferrata Sustainability Fund (VFSF) partners and volunteers.
• Continued stewardship to keep the Via Ferrata route free and open to the public.
• In collaboration with the Norwood Ranger District of the USFS, issued an RFP seeking a Qualified Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) to develop engineering designs, drawings, and specifications for Telluride’s Via Ferrata.
• Hosted a walk-through with potential engineers and builders for the Via Ferrata upgrade project.
• Communicated with the USFS about future Via Ferrata engineering and hardware replacement needs.
• Replaced signage at the trailhead.

Peter Inglis Avalanche Education Fund

• Hosted four free Telluride Backcountry Chats, attended by 40 to 60 people each.
• Awarded $4,537 in scholarships to 17 individuals for Avalanche Education Courses.
• Led a major revision of the Telluride Radio Program, updating designated channels for backcountry zones.
• Partnered with the Telluride Foundation for the fourth annual Skidola race, attracting 93 participants and raising money for avalanche education and scholarships.

Operations

• Hired a full time Operations Director to sustain current and future growth of projects and programming for the organization.
• Developed a new 5-year Strategic Plan with the support of Strategic by Nature, a nonprofit consulting company out of Grand Junction.
• Developed a new mission statement for the organization that more clearly defines our goals and vision.
• Voted in a new Board of Directors president, Todd Rutledge.
  

REGIONAL TRAILS PLANNING & EXECUTION

The Telluride Mountain Club has been working hard as Telluride’s go-to organization for trail maintenance. While we remain proactive in getting out on the trails and solving problems, we are grateful to the community for reaching out to us with observations. Since May, we have cleared over 125 trees on 22 different trails, including: Jud Wiebe, Mill Creek Waterline, Eider to Mill Creek Connector, Eider Creek, Deep Creek, Galloping Goose, Boomerang, Liberty Bell, Magic Meadows, Sneffels Highline, Alexander Trail, Hope Lake, Wasatch Connector, Sheridan Crosscut, Whipple Trail, Valley Floor Trail and  Ilium Boulders. 

We launched a new online form that makes reporting trail conditions quick and easy. We received over 40 trail observation forms from the general public in 2024 and were able to either respond to them directly or contact the land agencies who managed those lands. To help keep up with ongoing demand, we hired three new on-call Trails Maintenance Specialists who helped our Trails Director with quick fixes. We’re looking forward to building our team and becoming even more efficient. 

Over the past several years, TMtC has worked to refine its trail proposal, which was officially submitted to the Norwood Ranger District of the USFS for NEPA and started analysis in the winter 2024. TMtC has contracted with SE Group to conduct the required Environmental Analysis (EA) under the National Environmental Policy Act. USFS specialists will review the analysis performed by the SE Group and their specialists before any recommendations are made. TMtC expects a decision letter from the USFS by the summer of 2025. We are grateful to the Town of Mountain Village, Town of Telluride, and San Miguel County for providing financial support for this project. 

In July, we partnered with the USFS and Telluride Adaptive Sports Program (TASP) to make major improvements to the Valley Floor Trail. As one of the region’s most heavily trafficked trails, we are confident these modifications will ensure a more positive and inclusive experience for users of all ability levels. The trail now offers a smoother, more consistent experience from start to finish, making it an ideal environment for building skills. This maintenance involved performing treadwork to improve the trail’s surface, widening certain sections to enhance accessibility, and removing difficult obstacles to ensure a smoother and safer experience for all trail users. These modifications are particularly beneficial for adaptive mountain bikers, as parts of the trail were previously inaccessible to adaptive bikes because of narrow and uneven tread. 

Our final large project of the season was supporting the National Forest Foundation (NFF) and USFS with heavy maintenance to the Jud Wiebe Trail. These modifications improved trail sustainability by adding proper drainage, rerouting steep switchbacks and enhancing trail surfaces. Additionally, the USFS improved sightlines and passing zones to ensure safer interactions between hikers and bikers. TMtC supported the NFF and USFS by assisting with communication and logistics coordination. We kept the public informed with up-to-date information via social media posts, on-trail signage, newsletters, press releases and KOTO interviews. 

This past spring we purchased three new infrared trail counters, for a total of five, and placed them on heavily trafficked trails. This data will help us understand trail use numbers to make better informed decisions about future trails and planning. This summer alone, TMtC’s trail counters recorded over 91,700 hits on the Bridal Veil, Valley Floor, Eider to Mill Creek Connector and Wasatch Connector trails. 

Telluride’s outdoor recreation infrastructure is facing ongoing and increasing use. TMtC’s recreation planning and management play a crucial role in maintaining the quality of diverse recreation opportunities while protecting the integrity of Telluride’s natural landscape. TMtC remains committed to keeping trails at the forefront of its mission, ensuring the community has access to sustainable and accessible recreation opportunities.

EDUCATION, AWARENESS, STEWARDSHIP + OTHER TRAIL INITIATIVES 

TMtC continues to target residents and visitors of the Telluride region with trail updates, proper trail etiquette, and stewardship messaging. As of October 8th, 2024, our posts and paid ads have reached 25,490 people with 139,000 views since July. We have shared important information about the following topics: safety, Leave No Trace principles, respecting private property, sharing the trails, staying on designated paths, packing out all waste, and avoiding hiking through muddy areas.

We hosted three volunteer trail work days this season on T35/Sunshine Trail, the Valley Floor Trail and the Deep Creek Trail. We partnered with members of the public, as well as the Telluride Rotary Club and National Honor Society. Together, these volunteers assisted TMtC with treadwork, creating sustainable drainage and thistle mitigation.

E-bikes are on the rise across the nation and we recognize a need to provide people with accurate information about where they are allowed and how to ride them safely. We partnered with local retailers, including Box Canyon Bicycles and Christy Sports, to distribute e-bike user information to renters through print materials. We also provided the Telluride Tourism Board with “Mountain Safety Tips” collateral to distribute to visitors as a way to educate them about backcountry preparedness. This document was developed in collaboration with San Miguel County Search and Rescue.

This past spring, TMtC joined the Fix CRUS coalition to advocate for liability protections for private landowners, encouraging them to keep trails on private land open and free to the public. When the bill passed in March, we made efforts to ensure regional private land owners were made aware of the changes. We provided landowners with signs featuring language from the statute, enabling them to comply with the new requirements and help ensure trails remain accessible to the broader community.

NOTEWORTHY PROGRAMMING & OPERATIONS

During the winter, TMtC hosted three Mental Health in the Mountains events, aimed at educating the community about the intersection of mental health and our shared passion for the mountains. Each event featured professionals from the mental health industry who offered insights and guidance on managing mental well-being, especially in the context of outdoor activities. These gatherings also created an important space for individuals to connect, share personal challenges, and build a supportive network. This is a vital topic for our community, and we plan to continue providing platforms for ongoing conversation.

TMtC has partnered with several companies and organizations to boost our community engagement. In September, we collaborated with the Telluride Historical Museum to lead a Hike Into History, offering insights into our regional trail system. In July, Richard Bangs and Patagonia joined forces with us to share stories of world adventure travel. We also organized group hikes with Telluride Reserve to promote stewardship education and hosted backcountry trivia at Patagonia and the Telluride Distilling Company during Mountainfilm weekend. On  July 25th, we hosted our annual summer event in town park with over 350 TMtC supporters.

Our annual Outdoor Gear Drive was a success, providing lightly used recreation gear to close to 250 people. In May, TMtC collected a large trailer full of gear including skis, snowboards, boots, shoes, bikes, helmets, goggles, tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, clothing and more. We organized and distributed the items for free to community members at CAFI’s Community Fiesta. The event was a great success and we feel confident that it broke down financial barriers for many people seeking the opportunity to recreate outside. In September, we worked with the Wilkinson Public Library and Sheep Mountain Alliance to offer a wilderness preparedness and first aid workshop to 16 of Telluride’s Spanish-speaking residents.

VIA FERRATA 

TMtC coordinated the upkeep of the Via Ferrata with Mountain Trip, San Juan Mountain Guides, San Juan Outdoor Adventures and Telluride Mountain Guides – our partners in the Via Ferrata Sustainability Fund (VFSF). Despite significant rains, the route remained in good condition, requiring no major work. 

TMtC is collaborating with the Norwood Ranger District of the USFS to assess future engineering and hardware replacement needs for the Via Ferrata.  TMtC hosted a project walk-through and released a Request for Proposal (RFP) to hire a Qualified Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) to develop detailed engineering designs, drawings, and specifications for the Via Ferrata. Discussions are currently underway with engineers to better understand the overall process, refine cost estimates, and align all project elements to ensure continued progress. 

Additionally, TMtC replaced signage at the Via Ferrata trailhead that was taken out by avalanches this past winter.

PETER INGLIS AVALANCHE EDUCATION FUND / BACKCOUNTRY RECAP

The Peter Inglis Avalanche Education Fund hosted four free Telluride Backcountry Chats, each attended by 40 to 60 people. These sessions engaged both entry-level and advanced backcountry users through discussions led by local guest presenters. Topics included the state of the snowpack, the region’s updated backcountry radio program, effective communication, lessons learned from close call incidents, and the history of Telluride’s backcountry.

The PI Fund awarded $4,537 in scholarships to 17 individuals for avalanche education courses, supported by Auberge Resorts, creating opportunities for local users who might not otherwise afford such training. Scholarship amounts ranged from $100 to $700 each and were available for Rec 1, Rec 2, and partner rescue courses.

The PI Fund led a major revision of the Telluride Radio Program, updating designated channels for backcountry zones, with changes publicized through social media, local newspapers, posters, and a social media giveaway of two Backcountry Access Link radios. Updated signage was installed at key trailheads, and the program was well received. 

The PI Fund partnered with the Telluride Foundation for the fourth annual Skidola race, attracting 93 participants and raising $6,278 for avalanche education and scholarships. The event also featured the return of the “Pies for Pi” Silent Auction.

THANK YOU

TMtC owes much of its success to the invaluable support of our partners, grantors, donors, and volunteers. We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed in 2024. Your exceptional generosity is what made our achievements possible!

For any questions about our projects and programming from the past year, please email info@telluridemountainclub.org. To become a member or supporter of our initiatives, click here.