Mid-September saw the approval of a land exchange intended to safeguard public access to Wilson Peak in the San Miguel Range. Forest Supervisor Scott Armentrout’s decision sets the stage for the Forest Service’s acquisition of 680 acres owned by Skyline Ranch Trust, Alta Lakes, and the Trust for Public Land, while offering those parties 301 acres in four parcels of National Forest land. TPL’s decision to relinquish its claims to a total of 180 acres near and within Lizard Head Wilderness helped seal the deal. The exchange paves the way for the construction of nearly three miles of new biking trails – almost doubling the existing total – with the expressed goal of connecting mountain bike trails in the Telluride Ski Area with the Galloping Goose Trail. The Forest Service intends to finalize the land exchange in early November.
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