HITCH 5 | Kremmling BLM and Parks Ranger District, Colorado
5/6-5/13, 2026
SUMMARY
Our TPA Trail Crew mobilized to the Kremmling area after a spring snowstorm delayed travel for several hours. Once conditions improved, the crew safely reached camp, unloaded equipment, and prepared gear for the week, including outfitting new crew member Brendan, who previously worked with Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the US Forest Service on the Salida Ranger District OHV Crew. Throughout the hitch, the crew worked closely with BLM land manager Andy Borek to assess and address maintenance priorities across the Wolford Mountain trail system and surrounding routes.
Trail work focused on improving sustainability, rider safety, and restoring damaged trail segments. The TPA Trail Crew completed extensive corridor clearing, drain installation, tread reconstruction, switchback rehabilitation, debris removal, hazard tree mitigation, and restoration of trail braiding and shortcuts. Significant work was completed on both the north and south sides of Wolford Mountain, including heavy tread repair, removal of downed trees, and reinforcing in-sloped tread to keep users on the trail preventing trail damage. Additional trail maintenance and cleanup were completed along the Gulch Trail, where the Crew repaired fencing, removed trash, improved corridor width, and restored areas impacted by riders traveling around fallen trees. During the hitch, the crew also assisted the BLM in assessing roughly 55 miles of combined singletrack and two-track routes, documenting travel management concerns. The crew observed that limited signage, route identification, and discrepancies between on-the-ground routes and available mapping information can create navigation challenges in some areas. These findings were reported to the BLM land manager for future consideration.
On the Parks Ranger District, the crew coordinated with US Forest Service land managers to complete heavy corridor clearing and remove downed trees on Trail 1226.1C and portions of Trail 1226.1. Additional work included installing drainage features to eliminate standing water, removing hazardous trees overhanging the trail, and restoring off-trail damage in heavily forested areas with significant deadfall accumulation. The crew also addressed several narrow or inconsistent trail cuts created during previous deadfall clearing efforts, completing substantial additional clearing to improve safe passage while maintaining the intended trail alignment and trail character. The hitch concluded with equipment maintenance, camper cleaning, reporting, and training on TPA’s trail data reporting system.
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: 5/20-5/27 San Carlos Ranger District
Goals: Single track around the Lake Isabel work center area will be cut out and standard trail maintenance performed along the way. The land manager has trouble accessing the remote trail sections, so full single track trail system coverage will be necessary. Our goal is to clear the trails and fix any major damage to get the trail system operational.
STATS
1. Hitch Number: 5
2. Reporting Period: 5/6-5/13 (includes mobilization and demobilization days)
3. RD/BLM: Kremmling BLM Field Office and Parks Ranger District
4. Hours Drive time total: 19
5. Trails worked: Kremmling BLM: Cow gulch road, Wolford mountain South two track, Wolford mountain single track, Gulch trail, Wolford mountain single-track, Wolford North two track, Wolford Beach trail, Woodford Beach two track, Little Wolford mountain, antelope reservoir, 26, 2, 22, 23, twisty sage bits, Fenceline frolic, Sandy swoops, open area. Parks Ranger District: 1226.1C Parkview Creek, 1226.1 Snyder Creek loop, 1226.1a sidewinder, 730.1 haystack mountain road, 106.1 willow creek rd
6. Trail miles ridden: 140.6
7. Trail miles maintained: 34.33
8. Trees felled: 51
9. Trees cut: 595
10. Drainage cleared: 31
11. New Drains built: 45
12.Restoration feet: 630
13. Reroute feet: 0
14. Reconstruction feet: 1145
15. Debris removed feet: 5900
16. Corridor cleared feet: 10250
17. Signage: 0
18. Contacts made: 29
19. Educational interactions: 13
20. Volunteer hours: 0
21. Total truck miles per hitch: 380
22. Hitch point of Contact: Andy Borek Kremmling BLM and Shane Baca Parks Ranger District (US Forest Service)