Breckenridge Trail Maintenance and New Construction
August 22, 2025: UPDATE
Machine work on the Breckenridge Trail is complete! Please be mindful of TMtC staff who will be finishing the project with hand tools over the coming weeks. This upgraded trail now offers a new loop option, made possible through collaboration with San Miguel County and the Aldasoro Ranch Homeowners Company. We hope you enjoy it!
San Miguel County, Aldasoro Ranch, and Telluride Mountain Club Partner to Improve Breckenridge Trail
July 30, 2025 – San Miguel County, the Aldasoro Ranch Homeowners Company, and the Telluride Mountain Club (TMtC) are collaborating on a trail improvement project that will enhance the Breckenridge Trail—formerly and casually known as Penelope’s—and establish a new loop trail on Aldasoro Ranch open space.
This partnership has been in progress since November 2024, with all three parties working together to address easement agreements, trail alignments, and property boundaries. Two key issues sparked the need for collaboration: significant trail degradation caused by heavy rains last summer and the discovery that a spur of the existing trail crossed private property without permission for public access. These challenges prompted a broader conversation about how to ensure long-term public access while building a more sustainable trail.
“This project is an incredible example of how local governments, private landowners, and non-profit organizations can work together to preserve and enhance access,” said Sophie Fabrizio, Director of the Telluride Mountain Club. “TMtC is grateful for partners like San Miguel County and Aldasoro Ranch who are committed to sustainable, public recreation.”
The upcoming project includes rerouting and upgrading the trail to improve drainage, reduce erosion, and reinforce the tread. The trail is one of the first to melt out in the spring and one of the last to accumulate snow in the fall, making it a cornerstone of the region’s trail network. “Our work will focus on improved sustainability to reduce erosion and improve user experience for both hikers and mountain bikers,” said Jordan Carr, TMtC’s Trails Director.
The benefits of the trail improvements will extend beyond recreation, also enhancing community health, safety, and connectivity.
“Trails can offer safer routes for pedestrians and cyclists, reducing reliance on potentially dangerous roadways,” said Aldasoro Ranch HOC Director of Operations Shellie Duplan. “This trail improvement project is an opportunity for the community to safely experience the beauty of Deep Creek Mesa while offering a powerful tool to connect with nature, invest in health, and strengthen community ties.”
Construction is scheduled to begin the week of August 4, with machine work expected to last approximately three weeks. Trail users are asked to avoid the area during this time to support safety efforts. If it is necessary to use the trail and machinery is encountered, please wait for visual or verbal confirmation from the operator before passing.
“We’re extremely pleased that the collaborative efforts of the Aldasoro Ranch HOC, San Miguel County and the Telluride Mountain Club have come to fruition with the new Breckenridge Trail extension,” said Janet Kask, San Miguel County Parks & Open Space Director. “Trails are a high priority for us and we appreciate the cooperation and partnership that made this possible, and hope the local community will enjoy this new trail connector.”
The total cost of the project is approximately $50,000, shared equally by San Miguel County, Telluride Mountain Club, and the Aldasoro Ranch Homeowners Company. Ongoing maintenance expenses will also be split equally among the three partners. San Miguel County will handle noxious weed management treatment for this new trail extension. This major maintenance work and new loop option will help secure long-term public access through formal easements, while also improving the trail’s overall quality and long-term sustainability.
Project Partners:
