HITCH 4 | Montrose, Colorado
4/22-4/29, 2026
SUMMARY
Peach Valley Trail Maintenance
Our crew mobilized to the Montrose area after preparing gear and the camper, arriving mid-afternoon to set up camp and coordinate with our BLM partner on trail work priorities. Early in the hitch, we led a field training with 12 BLM OHV and recreation staff along five miles of multi-use singletrack, focusing on building sustainable drainage and strategic placement. Together we constructed 211 new drains while also clearing rock debris, repairing off-trail damage, and restoring damaged tread.
Working with the BLM OHV Trails Lead, we covered over 30 miles of trail in a single day across Ditch Run, Elephant Ditch, Z Ditch, and Monster Ditch, completing reroutes in eroded sections, widening trenched trail, installing nine new carsonite signs, repairing signage, and improving route definition. The crew also completed multiple rock armoring projects, including two 20-foot armored sections and placement of a ~1,000 lb anchor rock on Sidewinder Trail, moving roughly 2,500 lbs of rock in a single day to improve safety and trail sustainability.
After heavy overnight rain limited vehicle access, the crew hiked into Ditch Run and cleared approximately 4,500 feet of overgrown trail using hand tools, while also completing equipment maintenance and staging materials. As conditions improved, work continued across multiple trails with corridor clearing on Ditch Run, drainage and debris work on Fenceline Trail, tread reconstruction on Toldja Trail, and evaluation of TPA’s 2025 reroutes on Red Wall Trail, which are performing well and proving sustainable.
The hitch concluded with an assessment of King Ditch Trail following rider reports of extensive trail damage, where minor improvements were completed and findings shared with the Montrose BLM office. Overall, this hitch combined training, large-scale improvements, technical rock work, and responsive maintenance to enhance trail sustainability, safety, and user experience across the Peach Valley OHV system before demobilizing and returning to Salida.
WHY THIS WORK MATTERS
Our work helps keep trails safe, sustainable, and enjoyable for all users. By improving drainage, restoring damaged areas, and guiding riders along designated routes, we reduce long-term impacts to the landscape while maintaining high-quality riding experiences.
GOALS FOR NEXT HITCH
Next hitch: 5/6-5/13 Kremmling BLM and Parks Ranger District
The TPA Crew will help two agencies next hitch. This split hitch will start off helping Kremling BLM on the Wolford single track system. Next the TPA Crew will cut out trees and do trail maintenance on the Parks Ranger District.
STATS
● Hitch Number: 4
● Reporting Period: 4/22-4/29 (includes mobilization and demobilization days)
● RD/BLM: Uncompahgre BLM Field Office
● Hours Drive time total: 13
● Trails worked: Sidewinder, Ditch Run trail, Elephant ditch trail, Candy Lane, Moonlight Mesa, Mystery Ditch, Slanty Bridge, Z ditch, Elephant Ridge trail, Badlands, Monster Ditch, Bobcat, Eagle Valley, Spikes, Fenceline, Tabeguache trail, Cushman Mesa road, Coyote Cutoff trail, Rough and Ready, Coyote ridge trail, Cowpoke gulch road, Toldja trail, Pork Chop trail, Piney trail, Red Wall trail, Chukar road, Slanty bridge, Upper ponds, Elevator, Teton ridge, Kings ditch, Speed ridge, Elephant leg, Bertha
● Trail miles ridden: 108.8
● Trail miles maintained: 61
● Trees felled: 1
● Trees cut: 2
● Drainage cleared: 52
● New Drains built: 263
● Restoration feet: 45
● Reroute feet: 475
● Reconstruction feet: 775
● Debris removed feet: 6,675
● Corridor cleared feet: 4,735
● Signage: 31
● Contacts made: 9
● Educational interactions: 8
● Volunteer hours: 0
● Total truck miles per hitch: 345
● Hitch point of Contact: Cam Stark