HomeMy WebLinkAboutresolution.council.010-25RESOLUTION #O10
(Series of 2025)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ASPEN,
COLORADO, APPROVING THE SMUGGLER MOUNTAIN OPEN SPACE
MANAGEMENT PLAN UPDATE.
WHEREAS, there has been submitted to the City Council a Smuggler
Mountain Open Space Management Plan Update, a true and accurate copy of
which is attached hereto as Exhibit "A";
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF ASPEN, COLORADO,
That the City Council of the City of Aspen hereby approves the Smuggler
Mountain Open Space Management Plan Update, a copy of the management plan
is annexed hereto and incorporated herein, and does hereby authorize the Mayor to
implement said management plan on behalf of the City of Aspen.
INTRODUCED, READ AND ADOPTED by the City C
Aspen on the 1 l' day February, 2025.
ouncil of the City of
Torre, Mayor
I, Nicole Henning, duly appointed and acting City Clerk do certify that the
foregoing is a true and accurate copy of that resolution adopted by the City Council
of the City of Aspen, Colorado, at a meeting held, February 11', 20? 5.
Nicole Hephing, City Clerk
Smuggler Mountain Open Space Management Plan
DECEMBER 2024 ADOPTED BOCC ORD
ii | Smuggler Mountain Open Space Management Plan | iii
PITKIN COUNTY OPEN SPACE AND TRAILS
BOARD OF TRUSTEES MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the Pitkin County Open Space and Trails Board of Trustees is to acquire, preserve, maintain
and manage open space properties for multiple purposes including, but not limited to, recreational, wildlife,
agricultural, scenic and access purposes; and to acquire, preserve, develop, maintain and manage trails for
similar purposes.
The Pitkin County Home Rule Charter provision authorizing the Open Space and Trails Program defines
open space and trails as follows:
“Open Space” shall be defined as primarily undeveloped lands and waters which meet one or more of the
following criteria: Within public scenic view planes; bounding or within urbanized areas; incorporating or
protecting significant wildlife habitat; preserving historic agricultural and ranching activities; protecting
riparian or wetlands areas; protecting other public lands from the impacts of development, and preserving
cultural, historic and archaeological resources lying within properties which are otherwise acquired for their
customary Open Space characteristics.
“Trails” shall be defined as access ways, either separate from or within County and State road rights-of-
way, meeting one or more of the following criteria: preserving historic routes of ingress and egress to
public lands and waterways; providing access to and from recreational or urban destinations; providing
transportation or recreational opportunities throughout the Roaring Fork Watershed.
CITY OF ASPEN OPEN SPACE & TRAILS BOARD
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the Open Space and Trails Board is to continually acquire, preserve, manage and maintain
Open Space and Trails within the community for the benefit of current and future generations. The Board
makes recommendations to City Council and Staff on the acquisition and management of open space.
ASPEN VALLEY LAND TRUST
MISSION STATEMENT
Aspen Valley Land Trust protects the open land and special places of the Roaring Fork and middle
Colorado River valleys for wildlife, agriculture, and community, forever.
Autumn on the BTS Trail on Smuggler
Mountain Open Space.
iv | Smuggler Mountain Open Space Management Plan | v
Core Focus
Areas
& Success
Factors
High
Quality
Of Life
Safe
Community
Vibrant
& Sustainable
Community
CORE FOCUS
Success Factors
Flourishing Natural
& Built Environment
1. Conserved natural resources and environment
2. Responsibly maintained and enhanced county assets
3. Ease of mobility via safe and efficient transportation systems
4. Well planned and livable built environment
CORE FOCUS
Success Factors
Livable & Supportive
Community
1. A sense of personal and community safety
2. Diverse and livable housing options
3. Self-sufficient individuals and families
4. Access to recreation, education, arts and culture
5. Improved community engagement and participation
CORE FOCUS
Success Factors
Prosperous
Economy
1. Sustainable economy and employment
2. Affordable and quality health care options
3. High performing county leaders, teams and
employees
4. Responsible and accountable stewardship of
county assets
Healthy
Community
PITKIN COUNTY BRAND BOOK | OVERVIEW 6
The Pitkin County Strategic Plan
identifies three core Focus Areas:
“Flourishing Natural and Built
Environment,” “Livable and Supportive
Community” and “Prosperous
Economy.” The goal is for the three
Focus Areas to work together to
achieve the county’s vision and
mission.
This management plan update aligns
with the strategic plan in various ways:
Flourishing Natural and Built
Environment
Success Factor 1: Conserved natural
resources and environment
Smuggler Mountain Open Space
conserves important natural resources
and wildlife habitat on nearly 300 acres
in Aspen’s “backyard.”
Success Factor 2: Responsibly
maintained and enhanced county
assets
This plan update builds upon actions
identified following original parcel
acquisitions, focusing on stewardship
and maintenance, as well as safety
improvements.
The Management Plan for Smuggler
Mountain Open Space aligns with the 2011
Pitkin County Strategic Plan.
Livable and Supportive
Community
Success Factor 4: Access to
recreation, education, arts and
culture
Management actions support
access to year-round recreation and
include educational interpretive sign
updates and partnerships to provide
educational programming.
Prosperous economy
Success Factor 4: Responsible and
accountable stewardship of county
assets
Pitkin County Open Space and Trails
strives to maintain and enhance
the health, function and resiliency
of the natural resources and built
environment at Smuggler Mountain
Open Space.
ACCIONES DE MANEJO EN
ESPAÑOL HAGA CLIC AQUÍ
MANAGEMENT ACTIONS
CLICK HERE
Plan Summary
The 2024 management plan update for the 300-acre Smuggler Mountain Open Space, perched above
Aspen on the flanks of Smuggler Mountain and wrapping around into the Hunter Creek Valley, continues
the planning efforts that began with the original 2008 management plan. Pitkin County Open Space and
Trails (OST), along with the City of Aspen (COA) and Aspen Valley Land Trust (AVLT), have implemented
ongoing restoration and cleanup, expansion of recreational opportunities, wildlife and habitat protection,
and improvements in forest health.
This plan update aims to build upon past achievements, incorporating natural resource and visitor use
studies and input and expertise from partners, community members and visitors. The plan charts a course
to continue protecting ecological resources in a changing climate, preserving habitat, and accommodating
year-round recreational opportunities in this popular open space.
GOALS
This management plan prioritizes the long-term resilience of the multi-jurisdictional parcels that comprise
Smuggler Mountain Open Space. The following goals have been modified from the 2008 management
plan to reflect public and partner feedback collected during the 2024 planning process:
•Protect, manage and enhance the natural, historical and visual resources, including maintaining and
promoting healthy ecosystems and their essential components and processes.
•Provide and promote safe and enjoyable outdoor recreation opportunities.
•Provide educational opportunities regarding the values of the surrounding natural, historical and
visual resources and the importance of responsible use and stewardship of the land.
•Define management actions with specific implementation steps, where appropriate, and roles and
responsibilities.
OUTREACH HIGHLIGHTS
To enhance the management of Smuggler Mountain Open Space in the present and future, OST, COA and
AVLT gathered feedback from stakeholders and community members. Various local stakeholders shared
their insights on current conditions, trends and needs at the beginning of the planning process. Public
input was collected through an online survey in the summer of 2024. The survey aimed to understand
general usage patterns, the most valued attributes and the aspects that are working well or need
improvement. A total of 380 responses were collected. The draft management plan update was released for
partner and public review in September 2024, [placeholder text: and it was recommended for approval by
the Pitkin County and City of Aspen Open Space and Trails boards in November 2024. Finally, the plan was
adopted by the Pitkin County Board of Commissioners through Ordinance #.]
KEY UPDATES
The 2008 plan provided management direction for parcels on Smuggler Mountain. This plan update
adds adjacent acreage in the Lower Hunter Creek Valley, as well as the primary portal to the open space,
Smuggler Mountain Trailhead, located on the Mollie Gibson parcel. Collectively, the area is referred to
as Smuggler Mountain Open Space. This plan builds upon past accomplishments and celebrates the
investments made to date.
The key updates include:
•Continue dog voice and sight control area on Smuggler Mountain Road and Hunter Creek Cutoff Trail
and add singletrack trails to the voice and sight control area, with the exception of Lower Hunter Creek
Trail where leashes are required. The mandatory leash law remains in effect from the Lower Hunter
Creek Trailhead to the Forest Service boundary (Smuggler Mountain Open Space Regulations).
•Clarify enforcement of Smuggler Mountain Open Space
regulations at Smuggler Mountain Trailhead, which sits on a
portion of the Mollie Gibson parcel (Smuggler Mountain Open Space
Regulations).
•Continue emphasis on the protection of natural resources
and biodiversity through a range of management actions
that cover forest health, wildlife, protection of rare species and
water resources, and control of noxious weeds (Natural Resource
Management Actions).
•Maintain healthy, resilient forests and implement treatments to
promote habitat value and reduce wildfire risk (Natural Resource
Management Action 2 and 3).
•Explore the feasibility of a portal trail to connect mountain bikers
on the Hunter-Smuggler trail network to Aspen (Recreation
Management Action 1).
•Designate the steep, rocky portion of the Lower Hunter Creek
Trail for pedestrian use only, between the trailhead and the
Benedict Bridge (Recreation Management Action 2).
•Support recreational use by visitors of all ages and abilities by
adding a midpoint destination along Smuggler Mountain Road
(Recreation Management Action 4).
•Increase awareness and compliance with dog waste rules
(Education and Outreach Management Action 3).
•Continue natural resource monitoring through established
intervals (Monitoring and Stewardship Management Action 1).
•Continue existing partnerships and maintain access to
surrounding public lands for the purpose of resource
management (Monitoring and Stewardship Management Action 2).
HOW TO USE THIS PLAN
This plan is a near- to mid-range planning tool to budget for
management actions to preserve Smuggler Mountain Open Space for
future generations. Section 1 tracks the area’s history and acquisitions
leading to the open space that exists today and celebrates the
numerous accomplishments made since adoption of the 2008 plan.
Section 2 provides the regional context, including area recreation
and natural resources, and updates the current condition of the
open space plus the newly added parcels in the Hunter Creek Valley,
complete with references to relevant studies. Section 3 summarizes
feedback from stakeholders and the community. Appendix A contains
the full engagement results. Management actions in Section 4 are a
product of background research, assessment of current conditions and
stakeholder/public input. Section 5 provides an easy-to-use matrix to
measure progress in the years ahead.
Quick Facts
Investment: $21 million
Funding Partners:
Pitkin County Open
Space and Trails (OST),
City of Aspen (COA) and
Aspen Valley Land Trust
(AVLT)
Total Open Space
Acreage: 299.8 acres
Mollie Gibson Park
Acreage: 8.2 acres
Years of acquisition:
1974 - 2012
Open Space Values:
Wildlife habitat, scenic
views, recreation and
high biodiversity.
Over 190 plant species
identied , including 6
species of trees, 28 shrubs/
subshrubs, 31 perennial
graminoids, 106 perennial
forbs, 2 ferns and fern allies,
16 annual/biennial forbs,
and 1 annual graminoid.
77 bird species have been
documented.
At least 14 mammal species
are known to occur and at
least 54 species are known
or suspected to occur at
Smuggler according to
habitat needs.
Trail Miles: 11.5
vi |
EO.2
EO.3
M.2
M.1
NR.3
MS.2
Dog Voice and Sight Area Includes
Smuggler Mountain Road and
Singletrack Trails
Dogs Must be Leashed
on Lower Hunter
Creek Trail
R.1
R.2
R.4 R.3
Recreation Action #5 & #6
Motorized Vehicles and
E-bikes Allowed
White River
National Forest
Smuggler Mountain Open Space
Smuggler Mountain Trailhead
Lani White
Mascotte 99
Lower Hunter Creek Trailhead
Upper Hunter Creek Trailhead
BLM Parking Lot on Red Mountain
Conservation
Easement
Limited Parking for ADA, Seniors and Hut Access
Motorized Vehicles and Motorized Vehicles and
Smuggler Mountain Road
Platform
N
Smuggler
Mountain
Hunter Creek
Valley
NR. 1 & 8
NR. 2 & 4
Roaring
F
o
r
k
R
i
v
e
r
Hunter Creek
SMUGGLER MOUNTAIN OPEN SPACE MANAGEMENT ACTIONS
NATURAL RESOURCES
NR.1 Conduct assessment of riparian zones prior to any nearby vegetation, forest or trail work.
NR.2 Maintain and promote healthy, resilient forests.
NR.3 Implement treatment prescriptions (e.g. mechanical thinning) to maintain integrity and habitat
value of oak-dominated shrublands and reduce wildfire risk.
NR.4 Implement small-patch cuts in forested areas.
NR.5 Maintain dead wood resources onsite to maintain ecosystem complexity.
NR.6 Ensure avian nesting sites are identified and protected on an as-needed basis.
NR.7 Maintain habitat quality for potentially occurring federally protected species.
NR.8 Collaborate on Hunter Creek protections and enhancements for long-term stream health and
viability.
NR.9 Implement wolf reintroduction awareness as needed.
RECREATION
R.1 Explore the feasibility of a lower access “portal trail.”
R.2 Designate the steep, rocky portion of the Lower Hunter Creek Trail for pedestrian use only,
between the trailhead and the Benedict Bridge.
R.3 Explore feasibility of constructing an advanced mountain biking trail on the north-facing slope
connecting Smuggler Mountain Road to Lollipop Trail.
R.4 Add a midway viewpoint along Smuggler Mountain Road.
R.5 Install a new kiosk at Smuggler Mountain Trailhead and update information at BTS kiosk.
R.6 Install bicycle rack(s) at the base of Smuggler Mountain Road.
R.7 Maintain winter access to huts on surrounding public lands.
R.8 Review agreements for Mollie Gibson Park and determine whether an additional MOU, or similar
document, is required for ongoing maintenance and use of the parcel.
EDUCATION AND OUTREACH
EO.1 Update and install regulatory signage.
EO.2 Replace interpretive signs.
EO.3 Continue a campaign to address dog waste and dog-owner etiquette on Smuggler Mountain
Road.
MONITORING AND STEWARDSHIP
MS.1 Continue wildlife and vegetation monitoring at regular intervals.
MS.2
Maintain and improve collaboration with partner agencies that manage lands, animals and
recreational activities on or adjacent to Smuggler and/or require access via Smuggler Mountain
Road to manage their public assets.
MS.3 Monitor vegetative recovery at reclaimed mine sites and other areas of past disturbance.
MS.4 Conduct a cultural resource assessment to identify and evaluate the cultural resources of the
Open Space.
MS.5 Continue to monitor recreational use.
MS.6 Evaluate elk calving (production) and rearing habitat to determine if it is active.
MAINTENANCE
M.1 Maintain Smuggler Mountain Road at its current width and condition.
M.2 Improve boardwalks on Lower Hunter Creek Trail.
M.3 Create a maintenance agreement and schedule with defined responsibilities.
M.4 Actively manage noxious vegetation to promote the vigor of native biodiversity utilizing an
integrated approach.
viii | Smuggler Mountain Open Space Management Plan | ix
Resumen del Plan
La actualización del plan de manejo 2024 para el Espacio Abierto de Smuggler Mountain, situado sobre
Aspen en las laderas de Smuggler Mountain y extendiéndose hacia el valle de Hunter Creek, continúa con
los esfuerzos de planificación que comenzaron con el plan de manejo Original de 2008. El Departamento
de Espacios Abiertos y Senderos del Condado de Pitkin (OST), junto con la Ciudad de Aspen (COA) y el
Aspen Valley Land Trust (ALVT), han llevado a cabo restauraciones y limpiezas continuas, expansión de
oportunidades recreativas, protección de la vida silvestre y su hábitat, y mejoras en la salud forestal.
Esta actualización del plan tiene como objetivo construir sobre los logros pasados, incorporando estudios
de recursos naturales y uso de visitantes, así como el aporte y la experiencia de socios, miembros de la
comunidad y visitantes. El plan traza un camino para continuar protegiendo los recursos ecológicos en un
clima cambiante, preservando el hábitat y acomodando oportunidades recreativas durante todo el año en
este popular espacio abierto.
METAS
Este plan de manejo prioriza la resiliencia a largo plazo de parcelas multi-jurisdiccionales que componen
el Espacio Abierto de Smuggler Mountain. Los siguientes objetivos han sido modificados del plan de
manejo de 2008 para reflejar los comentarios del público y de los socios recopilados durante el proceso de
planificación de 2024:
•Proteger, gestionar y mejorar los recursos naturales, históricos y visuales, incluyendo el mantenimiento
y la promoción de ecosistemas saludables y sus componentes y procesos esenciales.
•Ofrecer y promover oportunidades de recreación al aire libre seguras y agradables.
•Brindar oportunidades educativas sobre los valores de los recursos naturales, históricos y visuales
circundantes y la importancia del uso responsable y la gestión del terreno.
•Definir acciones de gestión con pasos de implementación específicos, cuando sea apropiado, y roles y
responsabilidades.
ASPECTOS PARA PROMOCIONAR
Para mejorar la gestión del Espacio Abierto de Smuggler Mountain en el presente y futuro, OST, COA y
AVLT recopilaron comentarios de las partes interesadas y miembros de la comunidad. Varios actores locales
compartieron sus ideas sobre las condiciones actuales, tendencias y necesidades al inicio del proceso
de planificación. Se recopilaron opiniones públicas a través de una encuesta en línea durante el verano
de 2024. La encuesta tenía como objetivo comprender los patrones de uso generales, los atributos más
valorados y los aspectos que están funcionando bien o que necesitan mejoras. Se recolectaron un total de
380 respuestas. El borrador de la actualización del plan de gestión fue publicado para revisión de socios
y del público en septiembre de 2024, y se recomendó su aprobación por parte de las juntas de Espacio
Abierto y Senderos del Condado de Pitkin y la Ciudad de Aspen en noviembre de 2024. Finalmente, el plan
fue aprobado por la Junta de Comisionados del Condado de Pitkin mediante una ordenanza. #[tbd].
ACTUALIZACIONES CLAVE
El plan de 2008 proporcionó dirección de gestión para las parcelas en Smuggler Mountain. Esta
actualización del plan agrega terrenos adyacentes en el Valle de Lower Hunter Creek, así como el portal
principal al espacio abierto, el Sendero de Smuggler Mountain, ubicado en la parcela Mollie Gibson.
Colectivamente, el área se denomina Espacio Abierto de Smuggler Mountain. Este plan se basa en logros
pasados y celebra las inversiones realizadas hasta la fecha.
Las actualizaciones clave incluyen:
•Continuar con el área de control por voz y vista para perros en la carretera Smuggler Mountain
y el corto al sendero Hunter Creek, y agregar senderos de un solo sentido a esta área de control,
con la excepción del sendero Lower Hunter Creek, donde se requieren correas. La ley de correa
obligatoria sigue en vigor desde el Sendero de Lower Hunter Creek hasta el límite del Servicio Forestal
(Reglamentos del Espacio Abierto de Smuggler Mountain).
•Aclarar la aplicación de los reglamentos del Espacio Abierto de Smuggler Mountain en el Sendero de
Smuggler Mountain, que se encuentra en una parte de la parcela de Mollie Gibson (Reglamentos del
Espacio Abierto de Smuggler Mountain).
•Continuar enfatizando la protección de los recursos naturales y la biodiversidad a través de una
variedad de acciones de gestión que abordan la salud forestal, la vida silvestre, la protección de
especies raras y los recursos hídricos, así como el control de hierbas nocivas (Acciones de Gestión de
Recursos Naturales).
•Mantener bosques saludables y resilientes e implementar tratamientos para promover el valor del
hábitat y reducir el riesgo de incendios forestales (Acciones de Gestión de Recursos Naturales 2 y 3).
•Explorar la viabilidad de un sendero de acceso para conectar a los ciclistas de montaña en la red de
senderos Hunter-Smuggler con Aspen (Acción de Gestión Recreativa 1).
•Designar Lower Hunter Creek Trail para uso exclusivo de peatones (Acción de Gestión Recreativa 2).
•Apoyar el uso recreativo por parte de visitantes de todas las edades y habilidades añadiendo un
destino intermedio a lo largo de Smuggler Mountain Road (Acción de Gestión Recreativa 4).
•Aumentar la concienciación y el cumplimiento de las normas sobre desechos de perros (Acción de
Educación y Divulgación 3).
•Continuar con el monitoreo de recursos naturales a intervalos establecidos (Acción de Monitoreo y
Gestión 1).
•Mantener las asociaciones existentes y conservar el acceso a las tierras públicas circundantes con el
propósito de la gestión de recursos (Acción de Monitoreo y Gestión 2).
CÓMO UTILIZAR ESTE PLAN
Este plan es una herramienta de planificación a corto y mediano plazo para presupuestar acciones de
gestión que preserven el Espacio Abierto de Smuggler Mountain para las generaciones futuras. La Sección
1 rastrea la historia del área y las adquisiciones que llevaron al espacio abierto que existe hoy en día, y
celebra los numerosos logros alcanzados desde la adopción del plan de 2008. La Sección 2 proporciona el
contexto regional, incluyendo la recreación del área y los recursos naturales, y actualiza la condición actual
del espacio abierto, además de las parcelas recién añadidas en el Valle de Hunter Creek, con referencias a
estudios relevantes. La Sección 3 resume los comentarios de las partes interesadas y de la comunidad. El
Apéndice A contiene los resultados completos de la participación. Las acciones de gestión en la Sección 4
son producto de la investigación de antecedentes, la evaluación de las condiciones actuales y la opinión de
las partes interesadas/público. La Sección 5 ofrece una matriz fácil de usar para medir el progreso en los años
venideros.
x |
ACCIONES PARA EL MANEJO DEL ESPACIO ABIERTO
DE SMUGGLER MOUNTAIN
RECURSOS NATURALES
NR.1 Llevar a cabo una evaluación de las zonas ribereñas antes de
cualquier trabajo de vegetación, bosque o sendero cercano.
NR.2 Mantener y promover bosques saludables y resilientes
NR.3
Implementar prescripciones de tratamiento (por ejemplo,
desbroce mecánico) para mantener la integridad y el valor
del hábitat de los matorrales dominados por robles y reducir
el riesgo de incendios forestales.
NR.4 Implementar cortes en pequeñas áreas en zonas boscosas.
NR.5 Mantener los recursos de madera muerta en el sitio para
preservar la complejidad del ecosistema.
NR.6 Asegurarse de que los sitios de nidos de rapaces sean
identificados y protegidos según sea necesario.
NR.7 Mantener la calidad del hábitat para las especies protegidas
a nivel federal que puedan estar presentes.
NR.8 Colaborar en las protecciones y mejoras del Valle de Hunter
para la salud y viabilidad a largo plazo del arroyo.
NR.9 Implementar la concienciación sobre la reintroducción de
lobos según sea necesario.
RECREACIN
R.1 Explorar la viabilidad de un “sendero de acceso portal” en la
parte baja.
R.2 Designar el Sendero Lower Hunter Creek para uso exclusivo
de peatones.
R.3
Explorar la viabilidad de construir senderos avanzados
para ciclismo de montaña en la ladera norte que conecten
Smuggler Mountain Road con Lollipop Trail.
R.4 Agregar un destino recreativo a mitad de camino a lo largo
de Smuggler Mountain Road.
R.5 Instalar un nuevo quiosco en el inicio del Sendero Smuggler
Mountain y actualizar la información en el quiosco de BTS.
R.6 Instalar rack(s) para bicicletas en la base de Smuggler
Mountain Road.
R.7 Mantener el acceso invernal a las cabañas en las tierras
públicas circundantes.
R.8 Revisar los acuerdos para el Parque Mollie Gibson y
determinar si se necesita un adicional.
EDUCACIÓN Y PROMOCIÓN
EO.1 Actualizar e instalar señalización regulatoria.
EO.2 Reemplazar los letreros interpretativos.
EO.3
Continuar una campaña para abordar la basura de perros y
la etiqueta de los dueños de perros en la carretera Smuggler
Mountain.
MONITOR Y ADMINISTRACIÓN
MS.1 Continuar el monitoreo de la fauna y la vegetación a
intervalos regulares.
MS.2
Mantener y mejorar la colaboración con las agencias
asociadas que gestionan tierras, animales y actividades
recreativas en o adyacentes a Smuggler, y/o que requieren
acceso a través de Smuggler Mountain Road para gestionar
sus activos públicos.
MS.3 Monitorear la recuperación de la vegetación en sitios
mineros recuperados y otras áreas de disturbios pasado.
MS.4
Realizar una evaluación de recursos culturales para
identificar y evaluar los recursos culturales del Espacio
Abierto
MS.5 Continuar monitoreando el uso recreativo.
MS.6 Evalúe el hábitat de parto (producción) y cría de los alces
para determinar si está activo.
MANTENIMIENTO
M.1 Mantener la carretera Smuggler Mountain en su ancho y
condición actual.
M.2 Mejorar las pasarelas en el Sendero Lower Hunter Creek.
M.3 Crear un acuerdo de mantenimiento y un cronograma con
responsabilidades definidas.
M.4
Gestionar activamente la vegetación nociva para promover
el vigor de la biodiversidad nativa utilizando un enfoque
integrado.
Plan de Manejo del
Espacio Abierto de
Smuggler Mountain
Quick Facts
Inversión: $21 millones
Socios Financieros:
Pitkin County Open
Space and Trails (OST),
City of Aspen (COA) y
Aspen Valley Land Trust
(AVLT)
Total de Acres en
Espacio Abierto: 299.8
acres
Acreaje del Parque
Mollie Gibson: 8.2 acres
Años de Adquisición:
1974 - 2012
Valores del Espacio
Abierto: Hábitat de
fauna, vistas escénicas,
recreación y alta
biodiversidad.
Especies de Plantas
Identicadas: Más de
190, incluyendo 6 especies
de árboles, 28 arbustos/
subarbustos, 31 gramíneas
perennes, 106 forbs
perennes, 2 helechos y
aliados de helechos, 16
forbs anuales/bienales, y 1
gramínea anual.
Especies de Aves
Documentadas: 77
Especies de Mamíferos
Conocidas: Al menos 14
especies se conocen que
ocurren, y al menos 54
especies se conocen o se
sospecha que ocurren
en Smuggler según las
necesidades de hábitat.
Millas de Senderos: 11.5
xii | Smuggler Mountain Open Space Management Plan | xiii
Smuggler MountainOpen Space
Warren Lakes
BLM Parking Lot on Red Mountain
Upper Hunter Creek Trailhead
Lower Hunter Creek Trailhead
Mascotte 99
Lani White
Smuggler Mountain Trailhead
Aspen
Lenado
Bald Knob
Smuggler Mountain
To Sunnyside Trailhead
Midway Pass
White River
National Forest
Aspen Ski Area
North Star
Nature Preserve
Hunter Creek Valley
Four Corners
Red Mountain
Midway Trail
Hunter Creek Trail
Hunter Creek
Valley Trail
Hunter Creek
Toll Road
Four Corners Road
Sunnyside Trail
H
u
n
t
e
r
C
r
e
e
k
Roaring Fork River
Smuggler
Mountain Road
Smuggler Trail
System
Platform
Hummingbird
Trail
Van Horn Park
Rio Grande Trail
Iowa Shaft
Trail
Woody Creek
Trail
McNamara Hut
Benedict Huts
Smuggler Mountain Open Space
N
xvi | Smuggler Mountain Open Space Management Plan | 1
1. INTRODUCTION 2
1.1 HISTORY 2
1.2 PROPERTIES AND EASEMENTS 10
1.3 ACCOMPLISHMENTS 15
2. EXISTING CONDITIONS 18
2.1 LOCATION AND CONTEXT 18
2.2 NATURAL RESOURCES AND BIODIVERSITY 21
2.3 RECREATION 34
2.4 COMMERCIAL USE AND SPECIAL EVENTS 41
2.5 HISTORICAL RESOURCES 41
3. PLANNING PROCESS AND PUBLIC INPUT 44
3.1 PLANNING FRAMEWORK 44
3.2 STAKEHOLDER COMMENTS 45
3.3 PUBLIC OUTREACH 46
3.4 RELEVANT PLANS AND POLICIES 50
4. MANAGEMENT 52
4.1 MANAGEMENT GOALS 52
4.2 REGULATIONS AND POLICIES 52
4.3 MANAGEMENT ACTIONS 56
5. IMPLEMENTATION 66
EN ESPAÑOL HAGA CLIC AQUÍ
Table of Contents
APPENDIX:
A.COMMUNITY SURVEY RESULTS
B.PARTNER COMMENTS
C.DRAFT PLAN PUBLIC COMMENTS
D.NOXIOUS WEEDS AND PROPOSED TREATMENTS
Revegetated areas have taken hold along the Picnic Loop.
1. Introduction
Smuggler Mountain Open Space is perhaps the
most storied open space in Pitkin County. It is
certainly among the busiest.
The 300-acre open space, perched above Aspen
on the flanks of Smuggler Mountain and wrapping
around into the Hunter Creek Valley, typically sees
more use than any other holding in the county’s
Open Space and Trails system. The boundaries
between open space and national forest are invisible
as one traverses through Smuggler’s forest or
descends the mountain’s north face into the Hunter
Creek Valley. It could have been a far different
experience.
The potential for development on what is now open
space was extinguished parcel by parcel, over the
course of roughly 30 years, as Pitkin County, City of
Aspen and Aspen Valley Land Trust acquired parcels
from private owners. The capstone came in 2005
with the joint city/county acquisition of 170 acres
from a colorful man who ultimately abandoned his
own dreams for the land and accepted $15 million
for his assemblage of mining claims. The joint
purchase secured the heart of Smuggler Mountain
Open Space as public land. It was, at the time, a
record-setting price for a local open space property.
Restoration and cleanup of the newly acquired
acreage began almost immediately. Adoption of
the first management plan for Smuggler Mountain
Open Space – a joint effort of the city and county –
followed in 2008 (officially adopted by the BOCC in
January 2009). Much has occurred in the intervening
years to rehabilitate the land, expand recreational
opportunities, protect wildlife and habitat, and
improve forest health. This 2024 management plan
update builds upon those achievements. It plots
a course to continue the protection of ecological
resources in a changing climate, safeguard habitat
and accommodate year-round recreational
opportunities on this hugely popular open space.
1.1 HISTORY
The story of Smuggler Mountain parallels the story
of Aspen.
Once part of a pristine landscape where the
nomadic Ute People wandered for more than 800
years, the mountain was ravaged by the industrial
The Colorado Office of Archaeology and Historic
Preservation has logged 50 known cultural
sites within 12.5 miles of Aspen, but most are
unassociated with native inhabitants and only two
are arrow points of the type made by Utes.4 Various
historical sites are documented, including buildings
and ruins.
In an area encompassing most of Smuggler
Mountain Open Space, seven historical sites have
been recorded, but none involve Native American
artifacts. Of 13 sites in the lower section of the
Hunter Creek Valley, one has native connections,
though it is not known whether it is Ute in origin.5
It is highly probable, however, that the Ute People
wandered the length of the Roaring Fork Valley and
were familiar with today’s Smuggler Mountain and
Aspen. There is no question about the activities that
occurred once prospectors and investors established
Ute City, as Aspen was initially known.
4 “e Utes and Aspen – More unknown that known,” Tim
Willoughby, e Aspen Times, May 20, 2023, p3.
5 Jason LaBelle, Colorado State University, via email, Feb. 1, 2024.
frenzy that ensued shortly after the first prospectors
arrived at the foot of Aspen Mountain in 1879.
Scarcely more than a decade later, Smuggler,
and Aspen, would fall into quiet years of near
abandonment and decay. Many of the great
mine workings dotting Smuggler Mountain and
elsewhere stood silent. Huge piles of mine waste
at the base of the mountain and fanning out on its
flanks dominated an otherwise denuded landscape.
The force of nature and the hand of man both
played a role in the mountain’s gradual reclamation,
though telltale tailings piles and other evidence
of Smuggler’s former mining prominence remain.
The legendary Smuggler Mine itself, listed on the
National Register of Historic Places, sits at the base
of the mountain.
Today, Smuggler Mountain is both wildlife habitat
and recreational playground. Visitors and residents
alike seek out Smuggler Mountain Open Space
– 300 acres largely bounded by the White River
National Forest and easily accessed directly from
Aspen. That the open space is a place of trails and
forest rather than homes and roads is a testament
to the community’s passion for the place and,
ironically, one man’s desire to develop it.
IN THE BEGINNING…
Smuggler Mountain is but a dot in a vast landscape
where the native Utes wandered for centuries,
though little physical evidence or documentation
of their presence in the upper Roaring Fork Valley
exists. By the time the first prospectors made their
way from Leadville to what would become Aspen,
the Utes were already being forced off the lands of
western Colorado that had been ceded to them by
treaty.
Historians generally believe the Utes hunted in
the upper Roaring Fork Valley in summers, and
camped at Ute Springs, near present-day Glory
Hole Park in Aspen.1 Early settlers were familiar with
former native campsites that showed wear and
tear from long use – the meadows at Ute Springs
among them.2 According to the Southern Ute tribe,
however, no oral history of Utes in the Aspen area
exists.3
1 Ute People Pre-1879, Aspen Historical Society, aspenhistory.org/
aspen-history/the-utes-pre-1879/
2 “Roaring Fork Valley – An account of its settlement and
development,” Len Shoemaker, Sage Books, Denver CO, p17.
3 “e Utes and Aspen – More unknown that known,” Tim
Willoughby, e Aspen Times, May 21, 2023, p3.
MINING: THE BOOM AND BUST
Miners extracted primarily silver, lead and zinc from
Smuggler Mountain, driving tunnels thousands of
feet below the surface. Massive amounts of timber
were required to support the mines and other
construction. The behemoth Smuggler Mine was
a large industrial complex. Located at the base of
Smuggler Mountain Road and still in existence
today (minus most of the buildings that once served
the undertaking), the privately owned mine marks
the start of the ascent up the road for the hundreds
of people who bike and hike it daily. Higher up, the
Iowa Shaft, Bushwacker and Park-Regent mines
were situated on what is now open space.
Smuggler’s Della S claim, also part of the open
space, was frequently in the news as the mining
camp’s newspapers played up developments at
the area’s many diggings. In 1892, for example,
the Aspen Daily Chronicle reported a strike of
exceedingly rich ore at the Della S, featuring “large
flakes of pure silver and chunks of native.” (Native
silver is uncombined with other elements.)
e Park-Regent Mine on what is now Smuggler Mountain
Open Space, with Red Mountain visible in the background.
(History Colorado. Accession #83.130.14)
2 | Introduction Smuggler Mountain Open Space Management Plan | 3
The Hunter Creek Cutoff Road, passing next to the
Iowa Shaft mine, is partially constructed of rock
waste from mining. It follows the top of a dam that
diverted water running down the mountainside
away from mine activity and may have captured
water for mine use.6
A visible washout on the face of the mountain is
also left from Aspen’s mining era. Slicing through
a segment of Smuggler Mountain Open Space
above lower Hunter Creek, this scar resulted from
water overflowing a flume that once carried Hunter
Creek water to a power plant for the generation of
electricity.7 The flume was under construction in
1886 and clearly visible from Aspen.8
The demonetization of silver in the first half of the
1890s resulted in an economic crash for Aspen.
A few mines carried on in fits and starts, but
operations and output slowed considerably and
much of the town’s populace departed. The goings-
on on Smuggler Mountain largely ceased to be
6 “Signs of the past on Aspen’s Smuggler Mountain,” Janet Urquhart,
e Aspen Times, Nov. 4, 2012, p1.
7 “e Story of Aspen,” Mary Eshbaugh Hayes, Aspen ree
Publishing, Aspen CO, p29.
8 “Light and water,” Rocky Mountain Sun, May 22, 1886, p2.
newsworthy until the 1960s, when McCulloch Oil
Co. renewed milling and mining operations on the
mountain.9
Aspen’s slow, decades-long rebound from mining
town to year-round resort saw the collapse
and dismantling of many of the mine works on
Smuggler and elsewhere. Abandoned mine tunnels
caved in or filled with water and tailings piles were
smoothed over or simply left to settle into the
landscape. Old cables, pipes and machinery rusted
in place, or were scavenged as scrap, as was wood
from vacant structures. Forests regenerated.
Smuggler Mountain Road and the Cutoff Road
into the Hunter Creek Valley saw use by Jeeps and
motorbikes, but not much else.
Youngsters on BMX bikes rode on the mine dumps
at the base of Smuggler. Those lucky enough to
own a minibike (an off-road, motorized bike that
was smaller than a motorbike) found plenty of
playgrounds, including a well-established, user-
created track on a flat bench within what is now
Smuggler Mountain Open Space, above the
Overlook platform.
9 Smuggler begins silver shipments,” e Aspen Times, Sept. 15,
1966, p13b.
Lorenzo Semple, a pre-teen in Aspen in the 1970s,
remembers only four-wheel-drive Jeeps, motorbikes
and minibikes using Smuggler Mountain. It was
not a favored hike and no one wanted to pedal up
the rough road. Some drove up for the purpose
of hunting or fishing at Warren Lakes high on the
mountain.
“The concept of someone pedaling a bicycle up
Smuggler was so foreign that no one even gave it
utterance,” Semple said.10
Existing 4-wheel roads began seeing mountain
bike use as the sport gained traction in the 1980s
because there were few other places to ride. The
1980s also brought another facet of the long-
neglected mountain into the spotlight – its real
estate.
ONE MAN’S BATTLE
George “Wilk” Wilkinson moved to Aspen sometime
after first visiting the resort as a ski racer in
international competition in 1960 and remained
a full-time resident until 1995. Despite a diverse
range of talents, from ski racing to filmmaking and
10 Lorenzo Semple, telephone interview, Feb. 23, 2024.
photography, his Aspen legacy is inextricably linked
to Smuggler Mountain.11
Through painstaking title work in the early 1980s
to track down the owners of an assortment of
mining claims on Smuggler, Wilkinson assembled
about 220 acres (34 patented mining claims) as his
own – the bulk of it a contiguous, mid-mountain
piece above Smuggler Mountain Road, beyond the
Overlook platform.12
What the public had come to think of as public
open space was most certainly not. The simple,
wooden deck that materialized at the Overlook was
actually on private property. Elsewhere, the popular
minibike track was largely on Wilkinson’s land, until
he used heavy equipment to destroy the attraction,
according to Semple.
The mountain’s long-forgotten squabbles over
mineral deposits gave way to a modern fight –
development versus conservation. The community’s
fondness for Smuggler and the desire to conserve
it was one impetus for the formation of the county
11 “’Wilk’ dies at 63, leaves Smuggler legacy,” Scott Condon, e
Aspen Times, Sept. 27, 2006, p1.
12 “County wins Smuggler battle, war continues,” Scott Condon, e
Aspen Times, Feb. 1, 1994, p1.
Part of the Cuto Road is built from mine
waste, originally placed to create a dam.
Early mountain
biking on
Smuggler with
a modied road
bike. is biker
competes in the
1986 Smuggler
Rally. (Aspen
Historical Society,
Aspen Times
Collection)
e destruction of Wilk Wilkinson’s Smuggler house, as heavy equipment
pushes from behind. (Oct. 15, 1994 Aspen Daily News)
4 | Introduction Smuggler Mountain Open Space Management Plan | 5
open space program in 1990. That mindset,
however, ran counter to Wilkinson’s vision for his
landholdings, triggering a tug-of-war with the
county that consumed more than a decade.
Pitkin County, the City of Aspen and Aspen Valley
Land Trust had slowly begun conserving pieces
on the face of Smuggler as early as 1974, through
donations, purchases and other mechanisms. A key
acquisition came in 2000 with the proposed transfer
of the 10-acre B&M Lode mining claim – site of the
popular Smuggler Overlook platform – to the county.
The deal was completed in 2005, though volunteers
replaced the old platform with a new one in 2003.
Wilkinson, however, resisted open space overtures,
even though his development applications went
nowhere. Increasingly frustrated, Wilkinson
contended the county was conspiring to stymie
the development of Smuggler, even changing its
land-use regulations to thwart his efforts. While
the county conceded he had development rights,
the two sides were miles apart on how many, with
Wilkinson at one point proposing 86 units on his
property. His land-use battles frequently spilled into
the courtroom. At one point, in suing the county for
$159 million, Wilkinson also claimed his property was
a “foreign state,” essentially seceding from Pitkin
County.13
The feud escalated in the early 1990s, when
Wilkinson constructed a substantial residence on his
property. He had obtained a permit exemption for
a single-story agricultural structure without water
or electricity, but built a home that was partially
two stories, had electrical outlets and water piped
from a stream running through his land.14 When
settlement negotiations fizzled, the county ordered
the structure’s demolition. A county crew put most
of Wilkinson’s belongings in storage, and the county
continued to pay the storage fees for years, recalled
then-County Manager Reid Haughey.15
Wilkinson apparently returned to residing on his
land, joined by others. In the late 1990s, the county
worked to evict renters living in makeshift structures
and vehicles on his property, as well as in vehicles
in the parking lot at the base of the mountain, over
which Wilkinson claimed ownership. Wilkinson
said he was providing affordable housing; the
13 “Wilk: Don’t tread on me,” Scott Condon, e Aspen Times, Oct. 3,
1994. p1.
14 “County wants Wilkinson’s buildings torn down,” Michael Bourne,
Aspen Daily News, Oct. 9, 1990, p1.
15 Reid Haughey, telephone interview, April 25, 2023.
county alluded to fire danger and other safety
and sanitary concerns arising from the tepees and
other unpermitted residences on the mountain. In
2001, a man died from accidental carbon monoxide
poisoning in the propane-heated bus he called
home on Smuggler.16 In 2002, a squatter’s camp
along the road on county land was dismantled by
a county crew. A vehicle, dilapidated camper and
an outdoor deck replete with furniture were hauled
away.
Ownership of the Smuggler base-area parking lot
was not the only bone of contention in the county’s
ongoing battle with Wilkinson. In December
2000, Wilkinson ordered the county’s Community
Development director off the Hunter Creek Cutoff
Road, claiming the road was private where it crossed
through his property. Wilkinson had made similar
claims about ownership of Smuggler Mountain
Road on his property, as well, and the two sides were
already in court over that issue. The Cutoff Road was
added to the judicial review. The county ultimately
prevailed.
In 2003, the Aspen City Council directed the city
attorney to negotiate with Wilkinson for a potential
open space purchase. City voters had approved an
open space tax in November 2000 with Smuggler
on their minds. Experts spent two years assessing
Wilkinson’s holdings, coming up with an $8.1 million
appraisal as a starting point. A $10 million offer was
rejected, so the city offered $12 million. Wilkinson
turned it down, countering with a complex proposal
that the city attorney said he quit trying to figure
out when the first two numbers in Wilkinson’s pitch
added up to $21 million.17
Then, in August 2005, Wilkinson listed his property
for sale for $15 million. By then, his landholdings
totaled 170 acres. That November, the county put
the land under contract with the city committed to
paying half of the sum. At the time, it set a record
price for an open space acquisition. A handful
of smaller acquisitions on Smuggler followed,
including the purchase of mineral rights, ensuring
mining activity on the open space would be
relegated to the mountain’s past.
Wilkinson had been diagnosed with brain cancer
in April 2005 and died in September 2006.18 The
16 “Body found on Smuggler,” Aspen Daily News, Feb. 7, 2001, p3.
17 “City gives up on Smuggler,” Janet Urquhart, e Aspen Times, June
29, 2004, p1.
18 “’Wilk’ dies at 63, leaves Smuggler legacy,” Scott Condon, e
Aspen Times, Sept. 27, 2006, p1.
following summer, about two dozen friends and
relatives gathered in a clearing on the Smuggler
mountainside in remembrance. A stone, carved
with part of a poem Wilkinson wrote, memorializes
the spot. Though the etching has faded with time,
it is still possible to read the inscription: “The dance
of life touches those who participate in passion…”
Loved ones scattered Wilkinson’s ashes over the
land he wound up playing a key role in conserving.19
TRANSFORMING A LANDSCAPE
The purchase of Wilkinson’s land necessitated a
massive cleanup. His compound was closed to
the public while old mines were secured (one
mine opening was covered by a trash can lid) and
truckloads of accumulated materials were hauled
from the site. Large trucks and heavy machinery
rumbled up and down Smuggler Mountain Road
throughout late summer, 2006.20
Items that had to be cleared from the landscape
included large buses that had been turned into
residences, a mobile home, huge volumes of wood
and scrap metal, including drilling equipment
dating back to the 19th century. The remains of the
19 “Wilk memorialized on Smuggler,” Janet Urquhart, e Aspen
Times, June 15, 2007. p1.
20 “What Wilk left behind: Massive cleanup under way on Smuggler,”
Chad Abrahams, e Aspen Times, July 28, 2006, p1.
house that had been demolished were still there,
as was a large assortment of vehicles – some fairly
new, some ancient and rusting. There were shipping
containers crammed with items.21 The cleanup cost
some $60,000.22
Once the land was cleared, a 6-year effort to reclaim
the landscape commenced, involving the city,
county and community volunteers who helped
transform the open space through a series of
Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteer projects. Old roads
were converted to singletrack trails and new trails
were constructed, picnic tables were installed and
fencing was erected to protect areas from further
damage, leaving Smuggler Mountain Road as the
only vehicular route through the open space. Three
mine sites – the Bushwacker, Iowa Shaft and Park-
Regent – were established as historical sites with
interpretive signs to give visitors insight into the
mountain’s past use.
Damaged areas were reseeded in the summer of
2012. That September, the reclamation effort was
deemed complete and nature was allowed to finish
the work. Today, many users likely can’t tell that the
grasses flanking the singletrack trails represent a
real restoration success.
21 Ibid.
22 Gary Tennenbaum, Pitkin County Open Space and Trails director,
February 2024.
Bushwacker mining
claim marker.
Cleanup at Smuggler after the open space
acquisition cost around $60,000. Reclamation eorts
that followed successfully rehabilitated impacted
areas.
6 | Introduction Smuggler Mountain Open Space Management Plan | 7
TIMELINE
Smuggler Mountain Open Space
Pre-1879 1886
Miners extracted silver,
lead and zinc from
Smuggler Mountain,
driving tunnels thousands
of feet below the surface
and conducted massive
amounts of logging to
support the mines.
Existing Jeep roads began
seeing mountain bike
use as the sport gained
traction in the 1980s.
“Wilk” Wilkinson
assembled 220 acres -
including a contiguous
mid-mountain piece above
Smuggler Mountain Road.
Pitkin County, the City of Aspen
and Aspen Valley Land Trust slowly
began conserving pieces on the
face of Smuggler with an initial
17-acre donation to Pitkin County
and the City of Aspen.
The demonetization of
silver in the first half of
the 1890s resulted in an
economic crash for Aspen.
Operations and output
slowed considerably
and much of the town’s
populace departed.
Nomadic Ute People
wandered the Aspen area
for over 800 years prior
to the first prospectors
arrival at the foot of Aspen
Mountain in 1879.
A flume to carry Hunter
Creek water to a power
plant for the generation of
electricity was constructed.
A washout is still visible on
the mountain face today.
Aspen City
Council directed
negotiations with
Wilkinson resulting
in the City and
Pitkin County
purchase of most
of what is known
today as Smuggler
Mountain Open
Space for a then
record-setting
price.
1990 2005
1974
1879-1890s
1980s
Verena Mallory Park
donated to AVLT.
1981
Lindsay parcel
purchased by OST
and City of Aspen.
2012
Contiguous,
half-acre parcel
acquired by OST.
2009Silver Brick mining
claim acquired by
Pitkin County (later
transferred to OST).
Molly Gibson
Park obtained by
the Pitkin County
General Fund.
OST purchased
Silverking.
Randall Park and
Lower Hunter Creek
transferred to OST
from the General Fund.
1979
1993
1996
1995
1998
1890
1999
Site of the Overlook Platform, B&M
Baldwin, purchased by OST.
Hunter Valley Way purchased by
City of Aspen.
$15 Million purchase of most mining
claims assembled by Wilk Wilkinson
made by OST and the City of Aspen.
2005
Remaining Wilk mining claims
purchased by City of Aspen.
Last Chance mining claims
purchased by OST.
2007
2000
Little Maud mining
claim purchased by
OST.
2002
Cora Lee mining
claim purchased
by OST.
2003
Axtel &
Protection
mining claims
purchased by
OST.
The purchase of
Wilkinson’s land
necessitated a
massive cleanup,
beginning in
2006. In 2008, the
City and Pitkin
County jointly
adopted the initial
management
plan for Smuggler
Mountain Open
Space.
2008
The management
plan update
for Smuggler
Mountain Open
Space included
adjacent parcels
to Smuggler
Mountain in the
Hunter Creek
Valley to provide a
cohesive guide for
the future.
The Hunter Creek-Smuggler Mountain
Cooperative Plan provided cross-jurisdictional
management for 4,500+ acres adjacent to
Smuggler Mountain Open Space.
2024
The community’s fondness
for Smuggler and the desire
to conserve it was one
impetus for the formation
of the county open space
program. Driven by similar
reasons, the City’s voters
approved an open space tax
in 2000.
Wilk Wilkinson constructed
an illegal residence on his
property, escalating a feud
with Pitkin County, and
by the late 1990s, renters
joined Wilk atop Smuggler
in makeshift structures and
vehicles.
Emilee
Benedict Park
donated to
AVLT.
Rainstorm 2 &
Snowstorm 2
donated to OST.
City of Aspen purchased
Mascotte 99.
Smuggler MountainTimeline
1.2 PROPERTIES AND EASEMENTS
*Acreage information from Pitkin County GIS, based
on best information available.
OPEN SPACES
Portions of J.C. Johnson and Chatfield &
Della S mining claims
Year of Acquisition:1974
Owners: Pitkin County, City of Aspen (CE held by
AVLT)
Acreage: 16.8 acres (reflects total parcel acreages)
Purchase Price:$0 (Donation)
Silver Brick mining claim
Year of Acquisition:1979
Owners: Pitkin County (CE held by AVLT)
Acreage: 6.9 acres
Purchase Price:$0 (accepted in settlement of
lawsuit)
Verena Mallory Park
Year of Acquisition:1981
Owners: Aspen Valley Land Trust (Trail Easement
co-held by Pitkin County and City of Aspen)
AVLT Conservation Values: Parcel is intended for
the use of the general public, exclusively as a natural
park, open space rest area and scenic viewpoint.
Picnicking allowed within the “Picnic Envelope.”
Acreage: 10.9 acres
Purchase Price:$0 (Donation)
Emilee Benedict Park
Year of Acquisition:1993
Owners: Aspen Valley Land Trust (Trail Easement
held by Pitkin County)
AVLT Conservation Values: Parcel is intended for
the use of the general public, exclusively as a scenic
natural park, trail corridor, fishing and open space
area.
Area acquisitions of 302 acres of open space parcels
represent a joint investment of approximately $21 million
for the benefit of recreation, wildlife and biodiversity
and scenic preservation.
Acreage: 10.1 acres
Purchase Price:$0 (Donation)
Rainstorm 2 & Snowstorm 2 mining
claims
Year of Acquisition:1993
Owners: Pitkin County
Acreage: 7.4 acres
Purchase Price:$435.000
Mollie Gibson Park [Smuggler Mountain
Trailhead]
Year of Acquisition:1995
Owners: Pitkin County General Fund, maintained by
City of Aspen
Acreage: 8.2 acres
Purchase Price:$0 (Development exaction)1
Silverking
Year of Acquisition:1996
Owners: Pitkin County
Acreage: 8.9 acres
Purchase Price:$115,000
Mascotte 99 mining claim
Year of Acquisition:1998
Owners: City of Aspen
Acreage: 9.2 acres
Purchase Price:$370,209
Randall Park
Year of Acquisition:1999
Owners: Pitkin County
Acreage: 12.4 acres
Purchase Price:$0 (Transfer from Pitkin County
General Fund)
Lower Hunter Creek
1 Williams Ranch annexation agreement, recorded 1995, Book 780
Page 376, section 4.12 Park Development Impact Fee
Map 1.
10 | Introduction
Year of Acquisition:1999
Owners: Pitkin County
Acreage: 6.0 acres
Purchase Price:$0 (Transfer from Pitkin County
General Fund)
Little Maud mining claim
Year of Acquisition:2000
Owners: Pitkin County
Acreage: 10.2 acres
Purchase Price:$550,167
Cora Lee mining claim
Year of Acquisition:2002
Owners: Pitkin County
Acreage: 1 acre
Purchase Price:$0 (donation)
Axtel & Protection mining claims
Year of Acquisition:2003
Owners: Pitkin County
Acreage: 20.4 acres
Purchase Price:$475,000
B&M Baldwin mining claim
Year of Acquisition:2005
Owners: Pitkin County (CE held by AVLT)
Acreage: 10.1 acres
Purchase Price:$70,622 and donation
Hunter Valley Way
Year of Acquisition:2005
Owners: City of Aspen (CE held by AVLT)
Acreage: 9.8 acres
Purchase Price:$0 (donation)2
Smuggler mining claims
•Smuggler Mountain (Park, Regent, Tiger,
Lizzie, Jay Gould, North Star, Iowa#2, Cascade
#2)
•Alpine and Bushwacker
•Rainstorm No.2
•Snowsstorm No. 2
•Ballarat/General Jackson
•Pride of Aspen
•Robert Emmett
•Remaining portions of J.C. Johnson
Year of Acquisition:2005
Owners: Pitkin County, City of Aspen (CE held by
2 Ordinance #50, 2004
AVLT)
Acreage: 126.8 acres
Purchase Price:$15 million
Smuggler mining claims
•Contraband
•Result
•Della S
Year of Acquisition:2007
Owners: City of Aspen (CE held by AVLT)
Acreage: 19.6 acres
Purchase Price:$3.4 million (Includes $500,000 for
mineral rights)
Last Chance
Year of Acquisition:2007
Owners: Pitkin County
Acreage: 4.5 acres
Purchase Price:$550,000
Smuggler Mountain II
Year of Acquisition:2009
Owners: Pitkin County
Acreage: 0.5 acre
Lindsay
Year of Acquisition:2012
Owners: Pitkin County
Acreage: 10.1 acres
Purchase Price:$70,622 and donation
CONSERVATION EASEMENTS
Smuggler Mountain B&M Claim
Owner: Pitkin County
Holder: Aspen Valley Land Trust
Conservation Values: Open space, scenic, public recreation, natural and wildlife values.
Management Considerations:
Allowed uses:
• Public access
• Maintenance, reconstruction, relocation and replacement of existing trails the Smuggler Mountain
Observation Deck.
• Removal of vegetation for wildfire and disease prevention.
• Surface disturbances as needed for recreational amenities maintenance.
• Removal of invasive species.
• De minimis commercial recreational use
• General public recreational use. Low-impact outdoor recreational uses, such as hiking, cross-country
skiing and enjoyment of scenic views.
• Minimal external lighting for safety purposes.
Restrictions:
• No easements or new roadways, unless at the consent of the Trust.
• No removal or disturbance of relatively natural habitat (i.e. native plants).
• No ground disturbances by placement of or removal of soil, gravel, land fill or other natural abiotic
materials.
• No introduction of non-native species.
• No fencing.
• No livestock or grazing on the property.
• Large-scale commercial use.
• No establishment of communication facilities.
• No establishment of utilities and water lines.
• No construction of buildings.
Smuggler Mountain Wilkinson Claim
Owner: Pitkin County
Holder: Aspen Valley Land Trust
Conservation Values: Scenic, open space, wildlife and recreational values.
Management Considerations:
Allowed uses:
• Public access.
• Restoration activities: may take whatever steps necessary to reclaim mining impacts on the property
and to revert the property to wildlife habitat.
• Use of motor vehicles that is consistent with the preservation and protection of the conservation values
and emergency situations.
• Modification of existing and new roads and trails for recreational purposes.
Restrictions:
• No construction of buildings.
• No easements or new roadways, unless at the consent of the Trust.
• No commercial feed lots or grazing.
• No manipulation of natural streams, wetlands, springs or other hydrological features.
12 | Introduction Smuggler Mountain Open Space Management Plan | 13
Smuggler Mountain Contraband Claim, Smuggler Mountain Della S Claim and
Smuggler Mountain Result Claim
Owner: City of Aspen
Holder: Aspen Valley Land Trust
Conservation Values: Relatively natural habitat, open space
Management Considerations:
Allowed uses:
• Public access.
• Construct, maintain, replace and repair one cabin not to exceed 2,500 sq. ft. and satisfies the limitations
and restrictions applicable to “Rural and Remote” cabins pursuant to the Pitkin County Land Use
Regulations (e.g. no public utility connections, seasonal access, no improvement to existing roads).
• Removal of vegetation for ecological, wildfire and disease prevention.
• Surface disturbances as needed for habitat enhancement or restoration purposes.
• Removal of invasive species.
• De minimis commercial recreational use.
• General public recreational use. Low-impact outdoor recreational uses, such as hiking, cross-country
skiing and enjoyment of scenic views.
• Motorized recreational uses on existing and designated trails and roads, in a manner consistent with the
preservation and protection of the conservation values of the property.
• Construction of low-impact recreational amenities such as park benches and picnic tables.
• Use of chemicals (pesticides and herbicides) in a manner consistent with sound environmental
conservation practices.
Restrictions:
• Shall not construct, improve, place, or replace any buildings, structures, parking lots, or billboards on the
property (aside from allotted cabin).
• Pave, widen, or construct new roads without the consent of Trust.
• Unwarranted removal of vegetation or disturbance to soils (must serve ecological or hazard reduction
purposes).
• No subdivision of land.
• No erection of communication facilities/infrastructure.
• Prohibited activities include: off-road use of motorized vehicles, introduction of non-native species,
fencing, livestock grazing, accumulation/dumping or disposal of trash (including burn piles), industrial
activity, installation of utilities and water lines, hunting and trapping.
TRAIL/RECREATION EASEMENTS AND LEASE AGREEMENTS
Verena Mallory
Owner: Aspen Valley Land Trust
Holder: Co-held by Pitkin County and City of Aspen
Management Considerations:
Allowed uses:
• Use of existing trail for hiking, horseback riding, nonmotorized bicycles, and cross-country skiing.
• Minimal clearing and earthwork for existing trail maintenance.
• Construction of picnic tables and shade shelter within “Picnic Envelope.”
Restrictions:
• No structures or improvements of any kind, including establishment of new trail (except for picnic
structures in “Picnic Envelope”).
• No altering of natural vegetation or topography.
• No motorized vehicles, camping, firearms, noisy or otherwise offensive behavior, and commercial uses.
South Trail (Emilee Benedict)
Owner: Aspen Valley Land Trust
Holder: Pitkin County
Management Considerations:
In the event of any conflict between the provisions of the Deed and the South Trail Easement Agreement,
the South Trail Easement Agreement shall govern and control. Pitkin County is responsible for trail
maintenance, enforcement and insurances.
Allowed uses:
• Trail-associated amenities: Trail signage, drainage structures, and trail benches.
• Non-motorized, people-transporting commercial use (ski touring, horse packing, or similar).
• Pedestrian, non-motorized trail use.
Restrictions:
• No structures or improvements of any kind unless specifically identified in allowed uses.
• Removal of riparian vegetation with 20 feet of the ordinary high water mark of Hunter Creek.
• No motorized vehicles, camping, fires, firearms, noisy or offensive behavior.
• No commercial activities, unless specifically identified in allowed uses.
Lani White
Owner: Private
Holder: Pitkin County
Hunter Creek
Owner: Private
Holder: Pitkin County
BLM Red Mountain Right-of-way Grant COC 53783
Owner: Bureau of Land Management
Holder: Pitkin County Board of Commissioners
Acreage: 0.636 acres
Access road is 470ft long by 30ft wide
Parking Lot is 4,800sf
Trail is 880ft long by 10ft wide
Agreement: Construct, operate, maintain and terminate an access road, parking lot and trails.
AREA CONSERVATION EASEMENTS
McCloskey
Owner: Private
Holder: Pitkin County
Conservation Values: Relatively natural habitat, open space
Hunter Creek Estamar
Owner: Private
Holder: Aspen Valley Land Trust
Conservation Values: Relatively natural habitat, open space
1.3 ACCOMPLISHMENTS
This plan update builds upon past accomplishments and celebrates the investments made to the open
space since adoption of the first Smuggler management plan, prepared in 2008. The initial plan set forth
management actions in three areas: natural resources, recreation and educational opportunities. With
many of the management actions complete or underway, an update to the conditions at Smuggler
Mountain are further detailed in Section 2.
14 | Introduction Smuggler Mountain Open Space Management Plan | 15
Recreation
Inventoried forest resources and developed
a forest resource management plan.
Closed and reclaimed mine shafts, meeting
Colorado Division of Reclamation and Mine
Safety (CDRMS) requirements.
Restored the heavily impacted observation
area.
Restricted motorized uses to Smuggler
Mountain Road.
Constructed and/or formalized 7 miles of
single-track trails including:
•BTS
•Picnic Point and Picnic Loop
•Lollipop and Lollipop cut-o
•Tootsie Roll
Created a dog voice and sight control area.
Limited trail development to the “2008
Potential Recreation Area.”
Prohibited hunting on the open space but
maintained access on Smuggler Mountain
Road.
Completed over 50 volunteer work days
with Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers.
Developed interpretive signage to highlight
mining history and Smuggler’s importance.
Assessed and treated for mountain pine
beetle in response to outbreak in early
2000s.
Supported prescribed re on adjacent
lands.
Restored the old racetrack with native
vegetation, added picnic areas.
Completed forest regeneration and
mechanical vegetation thinning projects
that contributed to forest health and quality
wildlife habitat.
Natural Resources
Outreach and Education
A
A B
C
DD
B
C
D
E
E
H
H
I
J
I
J
Conducted wildlife surveys, assessed habitat
conditions.
Conducted noxious weed control.
Mapped vegetation types at Smuggler,
established plant community transects
for monitoring, conducted rare plant and
noxious weed eld surveys.
Aspen Global Change Institute installed a
soil moisture monitoring station
Added dog waste stations and increased
ranger patrols.
Installed waynding, regulatory and
interpretive signage.
Closed bandit/unauthorized trails to
prevent impacts on wildlife and vegetation.
Maintenance
Monitoring and Stewardship
F
F
G
G
White River
National Forest
White Ri
v
er
Nation
al
F
or
e
st
Smuggler Mountain Open Space
2008 to 2024Accomplishments
Smuggler Trailhead
Lani White
Mascotte 99
Lower Hunter Creek Trailhead
Upper Hunter Creek Trailhead
BLM Parking Lot on Red Mountain
Conservation
Easement
Conservation
Easement
Limited Parking for ADA,
Seniors and Hut Access
Smuggler
Mountain
Road
BTS
Platform
Lollipop
Tootsie
Roll
Picnic
Loop
Hunter Creek
Roaring
F
o
r
k
River
N
Smuggler
Mountain
Hunter Creek
Valley
2. Existing
Conditions
2.1 LOCATION AND CONTEXT
Smuggler Mountain Open Space is located on the north and east
sides of the City of Aspen, in unincorporated Pitkin County. The open
space is situated on the northwestern flank of Smuggler Mountain
and is embedded within a landscape that transitions from urban to
national forest. The northern and eastern parts of the open space are
surrounded by the White River National Forest, which is under the
administration of the USDA Forest Service. The lands on the west are
privately owned. Smuggler Mountain provides year-round recreational
opportunities and protects native habitat for local flora and fauna.
The hillside of Smuggler Mountain and the Hunter Creek drainage are
highly visible from many points within the City of Aspen. The open
space can be seen from Highway 82 as far north as Brush Creek Road,
from neighborhoods, from several local ski areas, and from public
lands surrounding the city. The main feature when viewing Smuggler
is the face of the open space, which is bisected by Smuggler Mountain
Road. The vegetation on the hillside creates a mosaic of color and
texture that changes with the light and the seasons. The south-facing
and upper portions of the open space are dominated by stands of
aspen and oak shrubland, which contrast with coniferous forest,
creating a distinct, visually pleasing landscape. From Smuggler itself,
users can enjoy views of the City of Aspen, the four ski areas and Mount
Sopris.
Filoha Meadows Nature Preserve
at sunset.
Smuggler Mountain Open
Space protects wildlife habitat,
viewsheds and outdoor recreational
opportunities in Aspen’s
“backyard.”
The compilation of properties helps maintain a
significant amount of unfragmented wildlife habitat
and open space, while also providing public trail
access not only to the open space itself but also to the
broader White River National Forest.
Smuggler trails wind
through mature forests.
18 | Existing Conditions
Map 2.ACCESS AND PARKING
Smuggler Mountain Open Space is accessible via four main points:
Smuggler Mountain Trailhead, upper Hunter Creek and lower
trailheads and the BLM parking lot on Red Mountain. Additional
neighborhood access points include the Lani White Trail and the
Mascotte 99 Trail. Smuggler Mountain Trailhead provides access to
Smuggler Mountain Road, an unimproved dirt road that requires
four-wheel drive / high-clearance vehicles. Access by vehicle, foot
and bike can be gained by ascending Smuggler Mountain Road.
Multiple non-motorized trails provide access through the open space
and into national forest lands. From the Hunter Creek Valley, several
recreational trails connect to the upper portions of the valley and to
Smuggler Mountain.
Two roads owned and managed by Pitkin County pass through
Smuggler Mountain Open Space – Smuggler Mountain Road and the
Hunter Creek Cutoff Road; the latter no longer functions as a road.
Smuggler Mountain Road passes through Smuggler Mountain Open
Space and continues to Warren Lakes within the national forest. The
Pitkin County Asset Management Plan was amended in 2008 to grant
the Open Space program jurisdiction to regulate non-motorized uses
on Smuggler Mountain Road.
SURROUNDING LAND USE
To the southwest of Smuggler lies the City of Aspen, which has
several planned unit developments. The most prominent of these
is the Centennial Affordable Housing and Silverlode Mixed-Use
Development. Near the trailhead to Smuggler Mountain Road is
Mollie Gibson Park, a county-owned public park managed by the City
of Aspen, as well as the Smuggler Mine Corporation (SMC). SMC is a
private operation that offers historical tours into its mine.
The northwestern border of Smuggler Mountain Open Space extends
into the Hunter Creek Valley. The lower portion of the valley contains
multiple, privately owned, single-family parcels, City- and county-
owned parcels, and private parcels protected by the Aspen Valley
Land Trust. The northeastern, eastern, and southerly portions of the
open space are bound by the White River National Forest. Efforts have
been made to align regulations since much of the open space borders
Forest Service lands.
Smuggler Mountain Open Space Management Plan | 21
Map 3.
Map 4.
2.2 NATURAL RESOURCES AND BIODIVERSITY
ECOLOGICAL CONTEXT
The importance of Smuggler Mountain to wildlife
is largely related to its location between public
lands administered by the USDA Forest Service and
developed land in the City of Aspen. Residential
and recreational development in the Aspen area
has resulted in the direct and indirect loss of wildlife
habitat and migratory routes for many species in the
upper Roaring Fork Valley. Smuggler Mountain, even
with its current level of recreational use, provides an
important habitat corridor and a substantial buffer
between the City of Aspen population center and
the national forest.
Three Potential Conservation Areas (PCA) as
identified by Colorado Natural Heritage Program
occur within one mile of Smuggler Mountain Open
Space, with one of these, the Hunter Creek PCA,
overlapping the boundaries of Smuggler Mountain
Open Space (Map 3). Colorado Parks and Wildlife
(CPW) has mapped high-priority habitat in the area
for elk (migration corridor, severe winter range and
production area), as well as aquatic native species
conservation waters and sportfish management
waters. Portions of Smuggler Mountain Open
Space closer to national forest lands are identified by
The Nature Conservancy’s Resilient and Connected
Network as “mostly resilient with some recognized
biodiversity.” The resilience, connectivity and
biodiversity values increase with distance away from
town. e Watershed Biodiversity Initiative map indicates
a complex landscape of intermixed conservation
value and restoration opportunity (Map 4).
Several habitat types are present at Smuggler,
each contributing to the overall biodiversity of both
flora and fauna. At the lower elevations, oak brush
dominates, with strong components of serviceberry,
sagebrush and bitterbrush. The oak brush gives
way to healthy aspen stands at higher elevations,
with mixed conifer elements. On the north-facing,
upper-elevation slopes, lodgepole pine forests
are dominant with components of Douglas fir,
subalpine fir, and some Engelmann spruce. A small
riparian area also offers critical moisture and habitat.
Per SB181.
22 | Existing Conditions Smuggler Mountain Open Space Management Plan | 23
Physical Setting (Geology, Soils,
Topography)
Elevations of Smuggler Mountain Open Space
range from approximately 8,129 to 9,698 feet. The
topography varies from relatively flat to very steep
with a perennial, unnamed stream meandering
southeast to north across the eastern side of the
open space. Aspects are primarily northerly, westerly
and southerly, which largely define land cover –
the upper and north facing portions of Smuggler
are forested, while the lower and southerly facing
aspects are dominated by shrublands.
The geologic history of the area includes periods
of encroaching and retreating seas, above- and
below-ground volcanic activity, and glaciation, all
with a consistent force of erosion through time. In a
typical soil profile, the top four inches is a very dark,
grayish brown loam, whereas the following layers
are coarser material made up of gravelly sandy loam
to cobbly loamy sand. Permeability is rapid with
low available water capacity, creating an effective
rooting depth of 60 inches. Slight differences
in soil conditions and/or aspect can change the
assemblage of species just enough to separate
plant community types. Soil characteristics inform
vegetation management, revegetation plans, trail
construction and maintenance.
Aspen Global Change Institute (AGCI) operates and
maintains one soil moisture-monitoring station
on Smuggler at an elevation of around 9,030 feet,
on a northwest-facing slope, as part of its Roaring
Fork Observation Network (also known as iRON),
which tracks soil moisture and precipitation across
an elevational gradient in the Roaring Fork Valley.
The Smuggler station, installed in 2012, collects soil
moisture data at three depths and basic weather
data. Results show that water tends to pass through
the soils very quickly here, leaving shallow soils
dry much of the year, even after rainstorms. Long-
term monitoring of these conditions may help
track climate change impacts at the local scale and
can be correlated with vegetation data at these
locations.2
WATER AND RIPARIAN
RESOURCES
The open space sits adjacent to Hunter Creek and
contains one unnamed perennial stream. A previous
property owner used water from this stream for
domestic purposes; today, the water source and
its associated riparian area provide important
habitat for wildlife. No targeted riparian or wetland
habitat assessments have been done to date; the
riparian area appears to be vegetatively intact and
functioning.
Hunter Creek flows through and adjacent to
Smuggler Mountain Open Space for about 1.5 miles.
A USGS stream gage is located upstream on the
White River National Forest. Water quantity on
Hunter Creek is impacted by diversions upstream
2 AGCI, 2019 Tree Survey Report; https://www.agci.org/projects/
roaring-fork-observation-network/smuggler-mountain
Table 1.Smuggler Mountain Daily Soil Moisture and Rain Sept - Oct 2023 (ACGI)
Collected data shows
that rainfall passes so
quickly through the
soils that the moisture
doesn’t register at
the 2-inch depth.
Moisture is reected
farther down in the soil
column
that divert water into the transmountain diversion
system, which conveys water to the Front Range. In
May and June, up to 50% of the flows from Hunter
Creek are diverted.3 Other in-basin diversions
further deplete water quantity in Hunter Creek,
most notably the Red Mountain Ditch. Minimum
flow shortages are prevalent on Hunter Creek,
which likely has impacts on aquatic and riparian
life, though no targeted studies of those elements
have been done.4 CPW considers the Hunter Creek
watershed a critical management zone for native
cutthroat trout populations, but ditches, canals and
diversions represent fish passage barriers (most
of which occur outside the Smuggler Open Space
boundary). Low flows in Hunter Creek below the
Red Mountain diversion is one of the top areas
of ecological concern in the upper Roaring Fork
Watershed.5
Water quality sampling of Hunter Creek above the
open space within the national forest indicates
water quality is high. Upper portions of Hunter
Creek within the Hunter-Fryingpan Wilderness are
currently designated as “Outstanding Waters” by the
Water Quality Control Commission of the Colorado
Department of Public Health and Environment.
A lower portion of the creek received the same
designation in 2024, extending the Outstanding
Waters reach of Hunter Creek down to the Smuggler
Mountain Open Space boundary. The designation
provides additional protection to sections of streams
that meet specific water-quality standards and
provide an outstanding natural resource.6 This is
indicative of the value of Hunter Creek as it flows
into Smuggler Mountain Open Space.
VEGETATION
Land cover at Smuggler includes primarily native
shrublands and forests, and many nuanced
vegetation communities within those types
resulting from the combination of historic land use
activities, slope, aspect and elevation. Most of the
forests have been harvested, burned or otherwise
altered for human benefit over the past century
3 Lotic Hydrological. Upper Roaring Fork River Management Plan, A
Joint City of Aspen and Pitkin County Project, 2017.
4 2017 Upper Roaring Fork River Management Plan (URFRMP)
5 Lotic Hydrological. Upper Roaring Fork River Management Plan, A
Joint City of Aspen and Pitkin County Project, 2017.
6 Outstanding Waters Fact Sheet. Colorado Department of Public
Health and Environment (CDPHE). (2018). Regulation No. 31- e Basic
Standards and Methodologies for Surface Water (5 CCR 1002-31), eective
1/31/18.
or more. As a result, except for the steepest slopes
where humans were unable to harvest trees, most
of the vegetation types at Smuggler are in various
stages of development and succession. The floristic
diversity and quality remain high on the open
space with vegetation communities typical of the
surrounding area. Noxious weeds, while present, are
being contained. Some areas remain in degraded
condition due to mining and other past land use
activities.
Baseline vegetation monitoring, rare plant survey,
noxious weed assessment, and floristic work was
most recently conducted in 2018, and included
an update to the vegetation classifications for the
open space. Vegetation mapping was updated
in 2024 from aerial imagery to match the extent
of the updated planning area. From the initial
survey conducted in 2007 to the survey in 2018 no
significant differences were found. Overall, major
vegetation communities show remarkably little
change over the last decade. The vegetation cover
was lower in the forested communities in 2018
than in 2007, but higher in the oak shrubland. The
hot dry summer of 2018, much of it classified as an
extreme drought over Pitkin County, may have been
the causal factor in lower understory vegetative
cover in 2018 for forested communities. A total of 190
vascular plant species were observed during field
reconnaissance, only 28 of which are non-native.
Plant Communities
Mountain Shrublands
Classified under the Gambel Oak – Mountain
Snowberry Shrubland Alliance, this plant community
exists on the steep, lower-elevation slopes of
Smuggler. It includes other dominant species such
as mountain snowberry, serviceberry, sagebrush, elk
sedge and mountain mahogany. Noxious weeds are
relatively absent from the oak shrublands, except on
trailsides and some cheatgrass present on the west
side. These intact, native plant communities denote
responsible land management and public use.
The oak-dominated shrublands on Smuggler are
overgrown due to the absence of fire. Gambel
oak resprouts after fire and its shoots are
highly palatable to browsing wildlife. Fire and/
or mechanical treatment can enhance habitat
by creating openings for animal movement and
promoting better grass and forb production. Areas
with a strong presence of mountain big sagebrush
Smuggler Mountain Open Space Management Plan | 25
Mixed Conifer Treatment
e Floristic Quality Assessment (FQA) is
a standardized method used to determine
the ecological condition of a site in terms
of its native oristic quality. It is useful for
assessing how human disturbances have
aected plant community composition and
for tracking changes in plant communities
over time, which has practical implications
in the continued management of open space
areas and helps to form a complete picture
of biodiversity. e results of the FQA show
that Smuggler has a rich oristic diversity
across all its habitats. e assessment also
shows how little change in oristic quality
there has been over the past 12 years, per
monitoring of seven permanent transects.
Further quantitative information and
updated vegetation classications can be
found in the 2019 Vegetation and Wildlife
Monitoring Report.
and antelope bitterbrush are not suitable for
disturbance treatments as they are vital for wildlife
habitat but do not resprout after fire. Two Gambel
oak treatments have been conducted at Smuggler
within the past 15 years.
Aspen Forests
Classified under the Rocky Mountain Aspen
Forest and Woodland Alliance, aspen stands are
a dominant vegetation community found at
the higher elevations. Other species commonly
dominant with the aspen here include serviceberry,
buckbrush and tall forbs. In some of these aspen
communities, subalpine fir and Engelmann spruce
are encroaching, whereas other aspen stands
appear to be persisting and regenerating without a
conifer component.
The aspen stands on Smuggler Mountain Open
Space act as either a seral tree (successional) or a
climax tree (persistent), depending on the location.
The strong aspen component is likely a result
of all the human harvesting activities of the last
century plus. Many persistent aspen stands in the
upper elevations appear to be in good condition
and do not require intervention. Where aspen is a
seral species, they can eventually be replaced by
conifers. Some of these stands show evidence of
understory conifer encroachment or large old trees
with little regeneration, so periodic disturbance may
be beneficial. OST has implemented mechanical
treatments mimicking natural disturbance
processes in successional aspen stands by removing
the understory conifer encroachment.
Riparian Aspen Forests
The proximity to water and the presence of obligate
riparian species in the shrub and understory layers
distinguishes the Quaking Aspen Riparian Forest
Alliance. This plant community comprises about
seven acres of Smuggler. No riparian assessments
have been done to date, but the age-class structure,
regeneration, ample species diversity and healthy
plants all indicate that it is in good condition.
Subalpine Fir – Aspen Forests
Classified under the Rocky Mountain Moist Forest
Alliance, this plant community is distinguished
from other aspen forests by the combination of
conifers and aspen in the overstory, the lack of a
distinct shrub layer, and abundant tall forbs. This is
an example of how, without disturbance, conifers
can eventually take over and shade out the aspen.
Site-specific forest management treatments may
maintain healthy aspen forest communities and the
biodiversity they support.
Lodgepole Pine Forests
On the north-facing upper elevation slopes,
lodgepole pine forests are dominant. Two lodgepole
alliances exist at Smuggler: the Rocky Mountain
Lodgepole Pine – Aspen Forest Alliance and the
Rocky Mountain East Cascadian Lodgepole Pine
Forest Alliance
The Rocky Mountain Lodgepole Pine – Aspen Forest
Alliance, which includes the dominant species
quaking aspens and snowberry, is found on gently
sloping areas and encompasses about 31 acres. It
is more likely indicative of past mining activities
and selective cutting than natural succession.7 The
current condition of this vegetation community
is good to excellent, as species diversity, age-class
structure and plant health are appropriate. In some
areas, lodgepole pine appears to dominate, in others,
the aspen dominates. The lodgepole will become
dominant if there are no major disturbances,
eventually reducing understory diversity due to
increased shade. Noxious weeds are present in this
area, particularly along the trails.
The Rocky Mountain East Cascadian Lodgepole Pine
Forest Alliance is generally more dense, often mixed
with other conifers including Douglas fir, subalpine
fir, and Engelmann spruce. The understory shrubs
include predominantly Buffaloberry, Scouler’s willow
and whortleberry. Currently, these forests are in
good condition. Significant forest health efforts
have occurred at Smuggler to control the mountain
pine beetle outbreak in lodgepole. This included
the removal of individual infested lodgepole
trees, patch cuts to reintroduce disturbance and
application of verbenone to repel the beetles, as well
as post-treatment monitoring.8 Treatments have
been effective in maintaining forest health at the
landscape level.
Douglas Fir Forests
Classified under the Douglas Fir Southern Rocky
Mountain Forest and Woodland Alliance, these fir-
dominated forests are found on the lower parts of
steep, north-facing slopes in the upper elevations.
Although small and somewhat isolated, these
stands are in good to excellent condition. Notably,
7 (CWS & WPNRC 2008).
8 (Gillete et al. 2010).
Aspen Forests
Mountain Shrublands
Lodgepole Pine Forests
Douglas Fir Forests
26 | Existing Conditions Smuggler Mountain Open Space Management Plan | 27
Map 5.
conifer species diversity is particularly high, creating a highly resistant
stand to a number of forest pests. The age-class structure of these
species is also good, as there is a fair amount of regeneration within
and around this stand of Douglas fir.
Plant Species of Conservation Concern
No rare plants have been documented at Smuggler Mountain Open
Space. However, there are several species of relatively uncommon
plants present including orchids and moonwort. Surveys of common
moonwort (Botrychium neolunaria), a plant previously on a watch list
but no longer considered rare, have been conducted and one plant
was identified, both in 2007 and in 2018. Future rare plant surveys
should focus on the riparian habitats.
Noxious Weeds
Noxious weeds mainly occur along Smuggler Mountain Road and
historic mining disturbances, and there are scattered noxious weeds
present in vegetation treatment units and along trails. There are no
Colorado List A Noxious Weeds however, there are eight List B species,
three of which are slated for suppression in Pitkin County (Canada
thistle, oxeye daisy and houndstongue). The most common species
include scentless chamomile, oxeye daisy and plumeless thistle.
Some toadflax and Canada thistle also occur. Cheatgrass is common
in portions of the lower elevations in the Gambel oak woodland, and
knapweed is present in the southwest corner of the open space along
the Mascotte 99 Trail. See Table 2.
Diverse plant
communities at
Smuggler meet
diverse needs of elk
Elk utilize most of the
plant communities at
Smuggler Mountain
Open Space. e conifer
and conifer-aspen forest
types provide thermal
and hiding cover. e
aspen forest provides
important summer
forage. e mountain
shrubland types with
more southerly to westerly
aspects are heavily used
during spring and fall
transition and provide the
most important winter
habitat on Smuggler. e
lodgepole pine forest types
are primarily used during
migration. In addition,
the lower elevation
aspen forest on Smuggler
may provide elk calving
habitat and most of the
larger aspen stands not
inuenced by recreation
are used as rearing habitat.
NAME NOXIOUS WEED LIST
Perennial Forbs
Cirsium arvense / Canada Thistle B
Leucanthemum vulgare / Oxeye Daisy B
Linavia vulgaris / Toadflax B
Tanacetum vulgare / Common tansy B
Annual/Biennial Forbs
Arctium minus / Lesser burdock C
Carduus acanthoides / Plumeless thistle B
Centaurea stoebe subsp. micranthos / Spotted knapweed B
Cynoglossum officinale / Houndstongue B
Tripleurospermum perforatum / Scentless chamomile C
Verbascum thapsus / Mullein C
Annual Graminoids
Anisantha tectorum / Cheatgrass C
Table 2.Colorado Listed Noxious Weeds
28 | Existing Conditions Smuggler Mountain Open Space Management Plan | 29
Smuggler Mountain Road Oak
Mastication
Mixed Conifer TreatmentMascotte 99 Oak Mastication Aspen RegenerationAspen-Conifer Encroachment Lodgepole Cuts
Implementation Update
Smuggler MountainForest Health
Oak Mastication Treatments
Two oak mastication treatments have been conducted at Smuggler Mountain Open Space. The first treatment occurred along Smuggler Mountain Road. All oak 5 feet and taller were avoided as were aspen. The oak is responding well in this area and supports a high diversity of other shrubs and subshrub species. Herbaceous species diversity is also high. A few scattered plumeless thistle plants, a noxious weed, were also observed, however they are not problematic. The second treatment occurs along the Mascotte 99 Trail in the southwest corner of Smuggler Mountain. Here, selected stands of oak were masticated, while most serviceberry and sagebrush were avoided.
In general, the shrubby and herbaceous vegetation appears to be healthy and is regenerating. However, there are several stands of noxious weeds including toadflax and spotted knapweed. There is also scattered plumeless thistle. From a habitat perspective, this treatment will effectively increase age-class diversity and improve forage quality for ungulates.
Landing Areas
Two helicopter landing areas were used to facilitate the forest management treatments. These areas
generally have a low vegetative cover of desirable grasses and are relatively weedy with numerous plants of scentless chamomile, tarweed and plumeless thistle.
Aspen – Conifer Encroachment
This area saw the majority of understory conifers removed. The aspens appear healthy, numerous young
aspen suckers are present, and the understory is dominated by herbaceous plants. Although modest in scale, this effort helps to maintain the representation of aspen forest on Smuggler which will benefit many species of wildlife, including red-naped sapsuckers, northern goshawks, elk, black bears, and a myriad of smaller mammals and songbirds.
Mixed Conifer Treatment
This small-patch cut had all conifers greater than 6 inches in diameter removed. There are young subalpine fir, Douglas fir, and lodgepole pine present in the patch cut, as well as regenerating aspen. In addition, there is a diverse herbaceous layer and shrubs. A few noxious weed thistles (plumeless and Canada thistle) are present, as well. The patch cut appears to have been successful in reducing density and increasing the likeliness of resilience in the face of threats such as beetle outbreaks. The methods were also effective in improving conditions for early seral lodgepole and preferred wildlife forage plant species.
Aspen Regeneration
This treatment unit was designed to stimulate the growth of new aspen. The treatment appears to have been quite effective with a plethora of new aspen growth as well as serviceberry shrubs and herbaceous vegetation. As with the Aspen – Conifer Encroachment treatments, this treatment has effectively
encouraged aspen regeneration, which will in turn contribute to maintaining or improving habitat conditions for many wildlife species that occur at Smuggler Mountain Open Space.
Lodgepole Cuts
Three small lodgepole patch cuts were completed. All units show some regeneration of aspen and a good
diversity of native graminoids and forbs. Common shrubs and subshrubs are present, too. Noxious weeds sporadically occur, including mullein and plumeless thistle. As a habitat treatment, these cuts have been successful in improving conditions for lodgepole pine seedlings, which are a preferred forage species for snowshoe hares which are, in turn, preferred prey for Canada lynx. This should be repeated on a long-term
basis to create a multi-aged mosaic that ensures the representation of early seral lodgepole in the Hunter Creek – Smuggler Mountain area. Since mature lodgepole pine provides little wildlife habitat resources and early seral lodgepole will increase snowshoe hare density, this type of long-term lodgepole management will increase overall wildlife habitat conditions.
R
E
D
MT
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D HunterCreekTollR dSm
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Fall Concentration
Human Conflict Area
Overall Range
R
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Summer Range
Severe Winter Range
Winter Range
Overall Range
R
E
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D HunterCreekTollR dSm
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Summer Range
Winter Range
Overall Range
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Human Conflict Area
Overall Range
Map 6. Mule Deer Map 7. Black Bear Map 8. Elk Map 9. Mountain Lion
WILDLIFE
Smuggler Mountain is by no means pristine wildlife habitat. The area has been heavily impacted by
human activities like mining, logging, anthropogenic fires, infrastructure development, and recreation
development over the past 150 years. But there is still wildlife habitat in fair to excellent condition that
provides valuable resources for over 138 wildlife species, some of which are permanent residents while
others pass through the area on an occasional or seasonal basis. The diversity of habitats provides an
abundance of food, cover and reproduction sites for various animal, insect and herptile species. Aspen
forests on the lower reaches of Smuggler Mountain provide particularly valuable wildlife habitat. Aspen
habitats, especially when associated with riparian vegetation, typically support much greater diversity,
richness, and abundance of birds and other wildlife than adjacent habitats.
OST regularly studies wildlife at Smuggler Mountain Open Space. For detailed methods and additional
results on the mammal and avian surveys, see the 2019 Smuggler Mountain Wildlife and Vegetation
Monitoring Report.
Mammals
The 2018 wildlife surveys by Colorado Wildlife Sciences show the three most abundant species recorded
were mule deer, red squirrel and black bear, in order of abundance. At least 14 mammal species were
identified during the surveys, and at least 54 species are known or suspected to occur at Smuggler
according to habitat needs.
Ungulates
Smuggler Mountain provides important habitat for mule deer, North American moose, and Rocky Mountain
elk. Mule deer occur throughout the non-winter months, but most heavily during the spring and fall
transition periods as they migrate between their summer and winter ranges. The mountain shrubland
provides excellent forage for mule deer, and the adjacency of forests to the shrublands provides a sense
of security. Moose frequently travel across Smuggler as they move between the excellent habitats of the
Roaring Fork River valley at North Star Nature Preserve and the Hunter Creek valley. Smuggler provides
important elk winter range and severe winter range and is situated within an important elk migration
corridor and transition range. Abundant grass and forb understories at Smuggler provide nutritious forage
for elk from early summer through the fall.
Predators and Bears
Nine species of carnivores are known to occur at Smuggler Mountain: Pacific (formerly American) marten,
long- and short-tailed weasels, striped skunk, bobcat, mountain lion, coyote, red fox and black bear. Canada
lynx and American badgers may also occur, but have not been documented. The elevation range and variety
of aspects and habitats have the potential to provide black bears with all of the habitat types they require
and the interspersion of plant communities provides ample spring, summer and fall forage for bears in
the forms of insect larvae, grasses/forbs and acorns. Unfortunately, when weather or climatic events such
as droughts or late freezes impact acorn and berry production (important fall bear foods), bears tend to
venture into areas of human habitation, potentially resulting in conflicts with people.
Aspen Aspen Aspen Aspen
Smuggler
Mountain
Open Space
Smuggler
Mountain
Open Space
Smuggler
Mountain
Open Space
Smuggler
Mountain
Open Space
32 | Existing Conditions Smuggler Mountain Open Space Management Plan | 33
Small Mammals
Often overlooked, small mammals remain an important component
of the ecological communities at Smuggler. In addition to increasing
species richness, they play a major role in the food web, consuming
plants and invertebrates, and in turn serving as prey for a number
of species of snakes, raptors and mammals. Small mammals are
numerous, and include shrews, voles, pocket gophers, pine squirrels,
porcupines and snowshoe hares. The snowshoe hare is of particular
note because the lodgepole pine forests at Smuggler provide
adequate understory growth (often absent in other mature lodgepole
forests) for snowshoe hare habitat and foraging needs.
Bats also play in important role – eating insects, pollinating plants
and dispersing seeds – with up to seven species of bats occurring at
Smuggler. The Park Regent, Iowa Shaft and Bushwacker shafts were
surveyed for wildlife in 2008 and did not contain bats. However, some
of the old mines are likely used as habitat by the big brown bat, little
brown bat, long-eared myotis, long-legged myotis, and Townsend’s
big-eared bat. Disturbances to mines and caves are the primary threat
to bats.
Birds
Seventy-seven bird species are known or suspected to occur on
Smuggler. Fourteen of these species are of particular conservation
interest. The diversity of habitat types support a relatively high
proportion of habitat-interior species (e.g., bluegray gnatcatcher,
plumbeous vireo), habitat specialists (e.g., brown creeper, red-naped
sapsucker, Virginia’s warbler) and species known to be sensitive
to human activity and anthropogenic habitat change. This is an
indication that Smuggler, in its current state and level of human
activity, does indeed provide effective habitat and range for a
wide variety of species and general bird populations, and future
management of these habitat conditions is important for those
species to persist.
Generally, the more diverse and structurally complex the plant
community is, the greater diversity of avifauna. At Smuggler, the
diverse understory and multi-tiered canopy of the aspen forest
communities provides greater opportunities for food, cover and
nest sites than the surrounding conifer forest types and shrublands,
especially compared to the nearby lodgepole forests that lack
understory complexity. Birds have benefited from forest health
improvement projects as those efforts increase habitat opportunities.
Snags, or standing dead trees, are critically important bird habitat in all
forest types, for perches, foraging on invertebrates that inhabit snags,
and cavity nests.
Smuggler Mountain Open Space provides suitable breeding habitat
for falcons, hawks and owls. American kestrels, Cooper’s hawks,
northern goshawks, sharp-shinned hawks, and red-tailed hawks have
been observed at Smuggler during the breeding season. Although no
formal owl surveys have been completed, flammulated owls, great-
horned owls, northern pygmy owls, northern saw-whet owls and
American three-toed
woodpecker
•Depend on mature to old-
growth lodgepole and
spruce forest and benet
from beetle outbreaks
•Occur within the older
mixed aspen/conifer,
lodgepole pine, and Douglas
r communities
•“Watchlisted” by Partners in
Flight
Virginia’s warblers
•Strongly associated with
mature Gambel oak
•CPW Tier 2 SGCN
•Ranked “high global
priority” by Partners
In Flight, reecting the
vulnerability of populations
throughout the species’
range
Olive-sided flycatchers
•USFS Region 2 Sensitive
Species and a CPW Tier 2
SGCN1
•Found at Smuggler,
primarily in mixed conifer-
aspen forests
•Prefer openings with
standing dead trees near
water, burns and blowdowns
1 Species of Greatest Conservation Need:
Chapter 2, Colorado Statewide Wildlife Action
Plan, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, 2015.
Northern Goshawk
•USFS Region 2 and BLM
Sensitive Species and a CPW
Tier 2 SGCN
•Smuggler provides excellent
nesting habitat
•Primary threats are tied to
the alteration of forests
•Evidence suggests that large
patches of mature or old
growth forest surrounding
goshawk nests are important
for maintaining local
populations
western screech owls may occur here based on habitat preference and
conditions onsite.
Reptiles and Amphibians
No reptile or amphibian surveys have been conducted at Smuggler,
however based on habitat presence and observations, western
terrestrial garter snakes, Boreal chorus frogs, northern leopard frogs
and smooth green snakes are the herpetofauna species that do or may
occur here.
Species of Conservation Concern
One federally protected species may occur on or adjacent to Smuggler
Mountain – the Canada lynx, federally listed as Threatened. The
presence of snowshoe hares may increase the likelihood of lynx
presence at Smuggler (they depend on the hare for food). However,
the recreational activity at Smuggler decreases the likelihood of lynx
presence. Species on the State of Colorado list of State Endangered
and Threatened species that do, or could potentially, occur at
Smuggler include the Pacific marten, bald eagle and Townsend’s big-
eared bat.
2.3 RECREATION
Smuggler Mountain Road slices diagonally across the northwest face
of the lower mountain in full view of the City of Aspen, drawing tens
of thousands of users annually, most on foot or bicycle. Two primary
motivations for visiting Smuggler trails emerged from a 2022 intercept
survey: exercise/fitness and socializing (see the survey summary on
page 40). Smuggler regulars and visitors are typically completing the
popular 2.9-mile, round-trip workout hike to the Smuggler Overlook,
exploring Aspen’s backyard on the popular Hunter Creek Trail, or using
the open space as a gateway to trails and roads extending into the
White River National Forest.
In 2008, the majority of the recreational use took place along the
Smuggler Mountain Road corridor and the Hunter Creek Cutoff
Road. Hunter Creek-area trails were not included in the original
management plan. Developed trail mileage within the previously
defined Smugger Mountain Open Space totaled about 3 miles and
included Smuggler Mountain Road, Smuggler Loop Trail and the
Hunter Creek Cutoff. Average summer use on Smuggler Mountain
Road was over 400 users per day.
The trail system has grown to provide a network of over 11 miles of
developed trails within the revised Smuggler Mountain Open Space
management boundary. These trails provide connections to over
33 miles of trails largely maintained by the Forest Service. Trails
constructed at Smuggler, since the 2008 management plan identified
a recreation area, have been concentrated on the upper reaches of the
open space, with other trails outside of both the original recreation
area and planning area within Lower Hunter Creek.
34 | Existing Conditions Smuggler Mountain Open Space Management Plan | 35
The natural topography and dense vegetation
dominating most of the front of the mountain and
the hillsides of Hunter Creek do not lend themselves
to recreational uses. For this reason, this part of the
recreation area identified in 2008 for construction
of new trails is not carried forward with this plan
update. In place of an identified area for recreation,
the management actions in Section 4 establish a
process for development of new trails that includes
use of targeted studies, best available science and
discussions with CPW and ecologists to assess
potential impacts to wildlife and biodiversity.
TRAILHEADS
Smuggler Mountain Trailhead
The trailhead for Smuggler Mountain Road
originates from the intersection with Silverlode
Drive at the base of Smuggler Mountain. Parking for
approximately 9 vehicles is provided spring through
fall in a small lot at the trailhead and overflow
parking (approximately 30 spaces) is available along
Park Circle. Parking at the trailhead is coordinated
with local law enforcement in order to maintain
parking spaces for Smuggler Mountain users and to
enforce winter closures and no overnight parking.
The Smuggler Mountain Trailhead is located on
the 8-acre Mollie Gibson property, which includes
the adjacent Mollie Gibson Park. The Pitkin County
General Fund owns this property and the City of
Aspen maintains the adjacent park. Prior to this
plan update, rangers were not authorized to enforce
Title 12 and Smuggler-specific regulations on this
property. See the Section 4 for management updates
to this trailhead.
Lower Hunter Creek Trailhead
The Lower Hunter Creek Trailhead provides access
to the Lower Hunter Creek Trail. This trailhead is
nestled in multi-family residential development. No
recreation-specific parking is provided; on-street
parking is available along Lone Pine Road and a
RFTA bus stop is located across the street from the
trailhead.
Hunter Creek Trailhead on Rio Grande
The Hunter Creek Extension Trail connects the Rio
Grande Trail, near the Aspen Post Office, to the
Lower Hunter Creek Trail. No parking is available.
Upper Hunter Creek Trailhead
The Upper Hunter Creek Trailhead provides access
to the network of trails in the Hunter Creek Valley,
with connections to Smuggler Mountain. This
trailhead is a 10-minute drive from Aspen. Limited
parking is restricted to ADA and seniors only as
a result of a settlement agreement in 2004. This
agreement also permits the gate and road to be
opened during hunting season. In the winter, two
parking spaces are provided for 10th Mountain Hut
users. Parking enforcement is the responsibility of
the Pitkin County Code enforcement officer.
BLM Parking Lot on Red Mountain
A small Bureau of Land Management parcel located
on Red Mountain provides a trailhead and parking
area. This parking area connects to the Hunter
Creek Valley Trail via the BLM Parking Lot Access
Trail. Pitkin County holds a right-of-way to construct,
operate and maintain an access road, parking lot
and trails. Access to the trailhead is from Hunter
Creek Road, off of Red Mountain Road.
Neighborhood Access Points
•Lani White Trail connects to Spruce Street
through a 14-foot recreation easement.
•The Mascotte 99 Trail connects Smuggler
Mountain Road to residential development on
Midland Park Place.
RECREATION USE
A trail counter installed in 2012 tracks overall
recreation use over time. Table 5 and 6 illustrates
use trends and annual use counts. The counts
do not correspond to total trail users; a counter is
triggered each time someone passes by (one user
may trigger it more than once per outing). While
Smuggler Mountain Road remains one of the most-
visited trails in the city and county’s network of
trails, use counts indicate wide variations from year
to year since tracking began at a location on the
road, near the Smuggler Observation Platform. In
2012, 119,400 uses were recorded. In 2023, the total
use was 79,900. Like many trails in the valley and
statewide, trail use saw a surge in 2020 (129,000 uses
on Smuggler) associated with COVID-19 outdoor
recreation trends. Use counts indicate year-round
visitation remains fairly consistent: summer months
(May to October) see an average of 9,500 trail use
counts and winter months (November to April)
Map 10.
36 | Existing Conditions
119,379 104,017 110,740 108,916 83,897 99,754 88,026 97,504 129,028 114,524 85,931 78,879 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
see an average of 7,300 trail use counts (Table 7).
The Hunter Creek Trail sees markedly lower annual
trail counts than Smuggler. Hunter Creek records
an annual average of 33,400 uses, compared to
Smuggler’s 101,700 annual average. This trail counter
is located along a portion of the Lower Hunter Creek
Trail that sees primarily pedestrian use; mountain
biking is not recommended..
Summer Recreation
Smuggler Mountain has always been a popular
destination for recreation, even before its
designation as open space. Smuggler visitors usually
start their outing from Park Circle and head toward
the Observation Platform – a popular destination. In
addition to hikers and bikers, there is use by vehicles,
motorbikes and e-bikes. Equestrian use is permitted,
though few equestrians utilize trails on Smuggler
Mountain. From the Observation Platform, non-
motorized users can access a network of over 40
miles of trails that connect Smuggler Mountain
to the Hunter Creek Valley trails and the national
forest. Many users complete a loop linking the Lower
Hunter Creek Trail to Smuggler Mountain Road.
Hiking is popular on the single-track Lower Hunter
Creek Trail.
TRAIL MILES MAINTAINED BY ALLOWED USES
DOG
POLICY
Hike Bike E-bike Horse
Smuggler Mountain Road (Kiosk to
Tootsie Roll Jct)2.1 Pitkin County/OST Y Y Y Y Voice/Sight
Mascotte 99 0.2 COA Y Y N Y Voice/Sight
Tootsie Roll 1.0 COA/OST Y Y N Y Voice/Sight
Picnic Point 0.1 COA/OST Y Y N Y Voice/Sight
Picnic Loop 0.4 COA/OST Y Y N Y Voice/Sight
Lollipop 2.3 COA/OST Y Y N Y Voice/Sight
Lollipop Cutoff 0.3 COA/OST Y Y N Y Voice/Sight
10th Mountain 0.4 COA/OST Y Y N Y Voice/Sight
Smuggler Loop 0.3 COS/OST Y Y N Y Voice/Sight
BTS (Behind the Sign)0.65 COA/OST Y Y N Y Voice/Sight
Hunter Creek Cutoff 1.1 COA/OST/USFS Y Y Y Y Voice/Sight
Hunter Creek Valley (Lower Hunter
Creek to Hunter Creek Cutoff)0.67 USFS Y Y N Y Voice/Sight
Varena Mallory 0.4 OST Y Y N Y Leashed
Lower Hunter Creek .9 OST Y N N N Leashed
Lani White 0.2 OST Y N N Y Leashed
BLM Parking Lot Access 0.5 OST Y Y N Y Leashed
TOTAL TRAIL MILES 11.5
Table 3.Smuggler Mountain Open Space Trails
Table 4.Smuggler/Hunter Creek Valley Surrounding Area Trails
TRAIL MILES
Smuggler Mountain Rd (USFS)4.2
Iowa Shaft 0.9
Hunter Creek Valley - South 0.8
Hunter Creek Valley (east of Hunter Creek Cutoff)2.8
Hunter Creek Valley North 1.0
Hunter Creek Toll Rd 3.6
McCloskey Lot 0.1
North Spur 0.1
Lazy Man Shortcut 0.1
Lower Plunge 0.4
Lower Plunge East 0.3
Lower Plunge West 0.4
TRAIL MILES
Hummingbird 1.7
Upper Plunge 1.3
Secret 0.8
Four Corners Rd 1.0
Hobbit 1.8
Burnt Hole Rd 2.3
Hunter Creek Overlook 0.8
Bald Knob 1.3
Van Horn Park 0.6
Van Horn Park Rd.1.7
Hunter Creek 4.6
TOTAL SURROUNDING TRAILS 32.6
Table 5.Smuggler Platform Annual Trail Counts
Table 6.Lower Hunter Creek Annual Trail Counts
12-year
average:
101,716
12-year
average:
33,432
6,745
6,625
9,541
8,051
8,722
10,263
10,773
9,522
9,288
8,491
6,888
6,149
0 5000 10000 15000
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December averageTable 7.
Smuggler Average
Monthly Trail Counts
2012-2023
Summer
average:
9,500
Winter
average:
7,300
6,745
6,625
9,541
8,051
Winter
average:
7,300
6,888
6,14920,153 32,141 37,722 45,713 46,746 44,801 36,623 37,130 36,183 11,885 38,442 13,641 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
38 | Existing Conditions Smuggler Mountain Open Space Management Plan | 39
Report Update
Smuggler Mountain Trailhead Visitation Patterns & Use
e Outdoor Recreation Visitor Use and Experience report summarizes ndings of a multi-year,
visitor-use study at 14 recreation areas in the Roaring Fork Valley, including Smuggler Mountain
Open Space. is study was developed to understand the visitor experience, visitor demographics and
to identify the volume and spatial extent of recreational use. A total of 120 surveys were administered
at Smuggler Mountain Trailhead in the summer of 2022, accompanied by 73 GPS tracks of trail users’
routes. e survey results show that users originating from Smuggler Mountain Trailhead are highly
motivated by socialization and exercise/tness. Just under half of survey respondents were primary
residents but most had visited Smuggler before – 87% were returning users. Trail use was reported
to be highest in midmorning, but parked vehicles at Smuggler Trailhead and Park Circle remained
steady throughout day. Unlike some other popular areas, visitors reported infrequently altering the
time or day of their visit to avoid crowds and few experiencing conict or unsafe conditions. Included
here are the ndings relevant to visitation patterns and use at Smuggler.
87% White
5% Hispanic/Latino
4% Don’t Know
2% Asian
59% Female
41% Male
50% B.A./B.S.
26% Master/Grad
17% PhD/MD/JD
4% Some College
3% High School
35% 500k+
24% 200-499k
17% 100-199k
14% 50-99k
7% 25-49k
3% < 25k
Mean Age: 45.2
Smuggler Mountain Urban Proximate
Summary:
Visitor Demographics:Activity Type:
Motivation Polar Plot:
Users highly motivated bysocialization and exercise/fitness
Trail use highest in midmorning,vehicle use steady throughout day
87% of visitors are returning users
45% of users are primary residents
Visitors infrequently report
experiencing conflict or unsafe
conditions
Visitors infrequently alter the time or
day of their visit to avoid crowds
88% White
5% Hispanic/Latinx
4% Don’t Know
2% Asian
1% Black/African American
1% American Indian/Alaska Native
86% Walking/Hiking
12% Biking
5% Dog Walking
1% Fishing
1% Running
1% Bird Watching
1% Other (Mine Tour)
43
Smuggler Mountain Urban Proximate
Summary:
Visitor Demographics:Activity Type:
Motivation Polar Plot:
Users highly motivated bysocialization and exercise/fitness
Trail use highest in midmorning,vehicle use steady throughout day
87% of visitors are returning users
45% of users are primary residents
Visitors infrequently report
experiencing conflict or unsafe
conditions
Visitors infrequently alter the time or
day of their visit to avoid crowds
88% White
5% Hispanic/Latinx
4% Don’t Know
2% Asian
1% Black/African American
1% American Indian/Alaska Native
86% Walking/Hiking
12% Biking
5% Dog Walking
1% Fishing
1% Running
1% Bird Watching
1% Other (Mine Tour)
43
What motivates people to visit Smuggler?
Crowding evaluations of site conditions and visitor experience.
Map of use density and spatial extent of survey participants originating from Smuggler Mountain
Trailhead.
Top Activities
Spatial and
Temporal Metrics
Average daily trail use by hour (Summer)
86% Walking/
Hiking
12% Biking
5% Dog Walking
1% Fishing
1% Running
1% Bird Watching
1% Other (Mine
Tour)44Figure 4.12:Map of the use density and spatial extent of visitors at Smuggler Mountain.44Figure 4.12:Map of the use density and spatial extent of visitors at Smuggler Mountain.44Figure 4.12:Map of the use density and spatial extent of visitors at Smuggler Mountain.
B.1. Crowding Evaluations 96
Figure B.11:TOBL crowding evaluations on 5pt likert-scale of agreement of site conditions and whether respondents
experienced sub-optimal conditions.
Figure B.12:SMUG crowding evaluations on 5pt likert-scale of agreement of site conditions and whether respondents
experienced sub-optimal conditions.
Trail Users
Parked Vehicles (TH & Park Circle)
40 | Existing Conditions Smuggler Mountain Open Space Management Plan | 41
Winter Recreation
Winter recreation in the area includes hikers,
snowmobilers and backcountry skiers. Backcountry
skiers use parts of Smuggler-area trails to access the
10th Mountain System Benedict Huts: Fritz and Fabi.
In 2006, the staff collaborated with the 10th
Mountain Hut System and relocated the hut trail to
the Smuggler Loop Trail. The trail is open year-round
and is accessible to all non-motorized users.
DOGS
The 2008 Management Plan allowed dogs under
voice and sight control to be walked off-leash on
Smuggler Mountain Road. The plan provided for
ongoing monitoring of this departure from Title 12
Regulations, which may be amended by subsequent
board action if it is determined to be unworkable.
Dogs must be leashed on the Lower Hunter Creek
Trail, Lani White Trail and Verena Mallory Trail. Dog
leashes are provided to trail users with dogs for the
leashed portions of the Hunter Creek and Lower
Hunter Creek Trails.
COMPLIANCE
City and County Open Space rangers are responsible
for the education and enforcement of regulations,
and assist law enforcement agencies, and
emergency personnel in responding to emergency/
public safety-related activity on Smuggler Mountain
and in the Hunter Creek Valley. Smuggler Mountain
Open Space is the third most patrolled zone by
rangers, behind North Star Nature Preserve and Sky
Mountain Park. Staff are authorized to enforce the
regulations listed in Section 4 on Pitkin County Open
Space and Trails, City of Aspen and AVLT properties.
Open Space rangers face several challenges on
Smuggler Mountain Open Space. These include the
abandonment of dog waste and trash/dog waste
bags, as well as the failure to keep dogs under voice
and sight control. Dog waste abandonment, while a
persistent issue, has improved over the years, likely
due to visitor education and signage to help elicit
behavioral change. Illegal overnight parking at the
parking area and on the county right-of-way, as well
as the use of e-bikes on single-track trails, are also
common issues. In addition to these challenges,
rangers also respond to medical incidents and
wildlife calls, with moose sightings being the most
common.
VISITOR AMENITIES
Wayfinding and Informational Signage
Informational kiosks are located at the base
of Smuggler Mountain Road, at the four-way
intersection near the viewing platform, at the
intersection of the 10th Mountain Trail and the
Hunter Creek Cutoff and at the USFS boundary
along the Lower Hunter Creek Trail. An additional
trailhead kiosk is located at the intersection of the
Rio Grande Trail and the Hunter Creek Extension.
Signs indicating the open space name are located
near the Upper Hunter Creek Trailhead, the Hunter
Creek Trailhead, on Smuggler Mountain Road near
the Overlook Platform and west of the junction of
the Hunter Creek Valley and Hunter Creek Cutoff
trails.
Trail wayfinding signage has been installed at
primary intersections. Some signage requires
updating for consistency.
Interpretive Education
Interpretive signs are located throughout mine
sites at Smuggler as well as some sites where
restoration projects have occurred. Some signs are
in poor condition. Signage will require maintenance
updates, which should be coordinated with an
overall interpretive sign plan.
Smuggler Overlook Platform
The platform offers 270-degree views, east toward
Independence Pass and west toward Mount Sopris,
providing vistas as far as Sunlight Mountain.
Picnic Areas
Continuing beyond the Smuggler Overlook,
up either the Smuggler Loop Trail or Smuggler
Mountain Road, to the Picnic Loop Trail, are three
picnic tables. The picnic area, known as Robbie
Wade Park, is located in the old “racetrack” that was
heavily degraded by motorized vehicles. The area
around the picnic area has been fenced to exclude
vehicles and restored.
Dog Pots and Waste Receptacles
At the base of Smuggler Mountain Road there is a
dog waste receptacle near the kiosk, maintained by
OST. There are two additional dog waste receptacles
along the road, maintained by OST, with the final
one located at the end of winter plowing. Dog poop
bags are provided. A fourth dog bag receptacle
was installed as part of an adjacent property’s
development approvals and is maintained by the
homeowner.
Additional Amenities
Offsite, but in close proximity to the Smuggler
Mountain Trailhead, are amenities that support
visitation to the Smuggler-area trails. These
amenities include a restroom at Mollie Gibson Park
and a bike fix-it station and water bottle filling
station at Park Circle. There is also a “storybook
trail” along on the Hunter Creek Extension, which
connects to the Rio Grande Trail.
2.4 COMMERCIAL USE AND SPECIAL EVENTS
Open Space and Trails has issued a variety of
commercial and special-use (event) permits for
Smuggler Mountain Road and the open space.
Permits have included organized hikes, non-profit
trail runs and races, commercial and non-profit bike
rides and races, commercially guided mountain-bike
instruction, a commercial video shoot and one Jeep
Jamboree (limited to five vehicles). An Aspen Cycling
Club race and Aspen Backcountry Marathon, both
non-commercial uses, have consistently brought
the largest annual events to the open space and
adjacent national forest. Educational uses have
included history-focused Aspen Historical Society
Jeep ride/trail tours during the summer and fall in
2017 and 2019, and commercially guided walking
tours that offer historical, cultural and natural
interpretations through storytelling.
2.5 HISTORICAL RESOURCES
MINING
Smuggler Mountain has at least six known
mineshafts: Iowa Shaft, Boulder Shaft, Bushwacker,
Park-Regent, Drill Rig Shaft, and an unnamed
shaft. None of these mines or open pits are in the
State Historical Register, and the State Office for
Mine Safety and Reclamation identified all for
closure. Initial closing procedures for the mines
included fencing and signs. Mine tailings were
studied to determine any potential toxic or heavy
metal pollution. Staff worked to identify all tailings
and planned appropriately for reclamation and
restoration. Following reclamation, public access to
closed areas was restored.
Mines and related operations on Smuggler
Mountain Open Space are now marked as historic
sites with interpretive signs to give visitors a sense
of the mountain’s past. Without photographs, it is
difficult to imagine the magnitude of the industry
that once scarred the landscape, from the dirt and
grime to the labyrinth of ore cart tracks, boilers,
compressors, hoists, smokestacks, shacks, shaft
buildings and immense piles of accumulating mine
waste. All of it was laid bare by the near clear-cutting
of trees to provide timber for the mine tunnels and
construction.
In 2009, an historical assessment of Smuggler
Mountain Open Space and a few adjacent properties
was conducted. The objective was to identify any
historical features or resources that might warrant
protection and management, however, there was
insufficient evidence to suggest the need to register
or safeguard these sites as historical resources. The
Aspen Historical Society collected and cataloged all
of the historical materials prior to a scrap and trash
cleanup.
Other activities such as logging and trade corridors
were essential to the mining heritage and town
growth, but no records have provided geographical
locations of these endeavors on Smuggler Mountain.
SMUGGLER MOUNTAIN ROAD
The historic segment of Smuggler Mountain Road
originates 500 feet east of the entry of Struggler
Mine property and traverses Smuggler Mountain
in a series of switchbacks. The road is evident in
most photographs as far back as 1893 and was
included in the U.S. Geological Survey report of 1898.
Smuggler Mountain Road represents an identifiable
community character and speaks to Smuggler
Mountain’s historic past. The road potentially meets
criteria for the National and State Registry of Historic
Properties (CSRHP) and may be eligible for listing.
42 | Existing Conditions Smuggler Mountain Open Space Management Plan | 43
3. Planning Process
and Public Input
3.1 PLANNING FRAMEWORK
PLANNING PROCESS
Phase1: Baseline Data Collection
The initial planning phase involved reviewing relevant plans and
policies, as well as assessing natural resource and wildlife monitoring
reports and existing conditions. Information collected is summarized
in Section 2.
Phase 2: Partner and Public Outreach
Staff from Pitkin County Open Space and Trails, City of Aspen Parks
and Open Space and AVLT jointly consulted with key stakeholders to
gain perspective on top priorities and areas of concern. Stakeholder
meetings were hosted in May 2024 with the following organizations:
•Aspen Center for Environmental Studies
•Aspen Chamber Resort Association
•Aspen Historical Society
•Aspen Fire
•Aspen Global Change Institute
•Colorado Parks and Wildlife
•Roaring Fork Mountain Biking Association
•Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers
•U.S. Forest Service
•Wilderness Workshop
To understand the community’s use of Smuggler Mountain Open
Space and desires for future management, public input was gathered
through a community survey conducted from mid-June to mid-July
2024. The survey was promoted by the City of Aspen, Aspen Valley
Land Trust, and Pitkin County through social media and outreach
tables at the Smuggler trailhead, as well as stakeholder newsletters.
A total of 380 community members responded to the survey. The
complete survey responses can be found in Appendix A, with key
points summarized in Section 3.3.
Phase 3: Draft Plan Development and Public
Comment
Using the existing conditions data, reports and public input, staff
compiled a draft management plan with updated action items to
guide future management. The management action items were
reviewed with stakeholder organizations. The first draft of the
management plan was presented at a joint meeting of the Pitkin
County and City of Aspen Open Space and Trails boards for comment
and direction on September 19, 2024. Following the
reviews, the draft Management Plan was released
for public comment, facilitated through an online
survey. The one-month comment period was
advertised through direct emails to the initial survey,
emails to stakeholders and social media to highlight
elements of the plan and encourage the public
to provide comments. Responses were collected
from 222 community members. Complete survey
responses are in Appendix C.
Phase 4: Final Plan Revisions and
Adoption
Following the draft plan public comment period,
staff discussed the feedback received and updated
the plan with recommended revisions. The final plan
was reviewed by the Pitkin County and City of Aspen
Open Space and Trails boards and adopted by the
Pitkin County Board of County Commissioners and
the Aspen City Council.
3.2 STAKEHOLDER COMMENTS
Partners were engaged at two points during the
plan update process. Early in the planning process,
key stakeholders were tapped to identify top
constraints, opportunities, and opportunities for
coordination. Stakeholders were then provided the
draft plan and asked to submit formal comments.
Letters of support can be found in Appendix C.
ASPEN CENTER FOR
ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
OST, COA and AVLT collaborate on projects and
programming in the Aspen area with staff from
ACES. Suggested considerations from ACES include:
•Balance this recreation amenity with the
wildlife habitat the area provides.
•Continue restoration projects.
•Manage trails and access.
•Collaborate and plan across jurisdictional
boundaries.
•Address recreation opportunities for all abilities
and ages.
ASPEN CHAMBER RESORT
ASSOCIATION
ACRA collaborates with land managers in the Aspen
area on outreach efforts. Suggested considerations
PUBLICOUTREACH
May - August 2024
PHASE 2
DRAFT PLAN DEVELOPMENT
PHASE 3
FINAL PLAN ADOPTION
PHASE 4
Stakeholder
Discussions
Aspen Center for Environmental Studies
Aspen Chamber Resort Association
Aspen Historical Society
Aspen Fire
Aspen Global Change Institute
Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Roaring Fork Mountain Biking Association
Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers
U.S. Forest Service
Wilderness Workshop
Stakeholder Reviews
August 2024
Community Survey
June - July 2024
Draft Plan Public
Comment
September - October 2024
OST & COA Board
Reviews
September 2024
Trailhead Events
June - July 2024
DATA COLLECTION
Fall 2023 - Spring 2024
PHASE 1 from ACRA include:
•Address parking and coordinate with
campaigns to encourage alternative
transportation to trailheads.
•Collaborate on general etiquette and
education messaging.
•Provide a restroom.
•Maintain off-leash area.
•Consider future demand for events as spaces
become more limited.
ASPEN FIRE
Aspen Fire collaborates with land managers in
the Aspen area on wildfire risk and fuel-reduction
efforts. Suggested considerations from Aspen Fire
include:
•Coordinate planning and projects with the
Community Wildfire Protection Plan.
•Protect public property and any other values
(infrastructure, source water protection, etc.)
through wildfire risk reduction projects in
areas of concern on Smuggler and Hunter
Creek.
•Maintain Smuggler Road as it is a valuable line
of defense in event of wildfire.
•More signage and/or education about fire
restrictions.
ASPEN GLOBAL CHANGE
INSTITUTE
AGCI is an independent nonprofit organization that
maintains a soil moisture-monitoring station on
Smuggler Mountain. Suggested considerations from
AGCI include:
•Continue data collection. Collected data from
Smuggler is unique in the system and may be
useful for future knowledge of steep, mixed
conifer areas and fire risk.
•Manage social trails.
ASPEN HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Aspen Historical Society preserves local history in
the area. Suggested considerations in the Smuggler
area for their organization include:
•Increase interpretive signage to inform visitors
of the area’s history and the conservation
efforts to protect this community asset.
•Ensure that educational hikes and tours can
continue.
44 | Process and Public Input Smuggler Mountain Open Space Management Plan | 45
COLORADO PARKS AND WILDLIFE
OST, COA and AVLT collaborate on projects
and planning in the Aspen area with staff from
CPW. Organization concerns and suggested
considerations in the Smuggler Mountain and
Hunter Creek Valley include:
•Protect critical wildlife habitat, including
critical winter habitat and elk production areas
in Hunter Creek.
•Protect riparian habitat.
•No new trails as expanded recreation has the
potential to fragment habitat.
•Limit trails in undeveloped areas and reclaim
unauthorized routes.
•Maintain hunting access on Smuggler Road.
•Increase education on wildlife and human
interactions.
ROARING FORK MOUNTAIN
BIKING ASSOCIATION
RFMBA supports the development and
maintenance of mountain bike trail systems in the
region. Suggested considerations from RFMBA
include:
•Explore alternative ascents/descents from
Aspen to single-track trails on Smuggler
Mountain and Hunter Creek for user safety and
to offer a better experience.
•Address issues of user-created motorbike trails.
•Follow USFS e-bike restrictions on single-track
trails, especially if they change in the future.
•Improve kiosk maps and wayfinding signage.
•Highlight “suggested” routes for hikers and
bikers.
•Explore potential for designated downhill
routes.
ROARING FORK OUTDOOR
VOLUNTEERS
RFOV promotes the stewardship of public lands in
the region. Suggested considerations from RFOV
include:
•Address increasing user numbers and
recreation pressure.
•Preserve and/or develop more trails.
•Increase wildfire risk management projects.
•Improve education on responsible recreation.
•Consider recreation offerings for all abilities
and ages.
WHITE RIVER NATIONAL FOREST
Aspen is surrounded by the White River National
Forest. Key considerations and opportunities for
improvement from the perspective of the Forest
Service include:
•Ensure that Smuggler remains a portal to
public lands.
•Maintain motorized access on Smuggler Road.
•Maintain the value of wildlife habitat and
habitat connectivity in close proximity to
Aspen.
•Trail additions on USFS lands is not supported.
•Reduce hazardous fuels on steep slopes.
•Collaborate on plans and projects across
jurisdictional boundaries.
•Maintain winter access to backcountry huts.
WILDERNESS WORKSHOP
Wilderness Workshop promotes the protection
of public lands in western Colorado. Organization
concerns and suggested considerations include:
•Protect connected landscapes that provide
important wildlife and biodiversity values.
•Address proliferation of motorized and
mechanized illegal trail development and off-
trail motorized use.
•Close and revegetate illegal/unauthorized trails.
•Maintain public access for pedestrians and
cyclists at current levels.
•Limit motorized use with seasonal closures.
•Incorporate equity into the plan and ensure
that new signage is presented in a bilingual
Spanish/English format.
•Update existing sign infrastructure.
3.3 PUBLIC OUTREACH
COMMUNITY SURVEY
Participation in the initial online community survey,
which ran from June 15 to July 26, 2024, was high:
380 participants responded to the survey. Within
the online survey, over 90 write-in comments were
collected in response to an open-ended question
on near- and long-term management needs. The
survey, developed by OST, COA and AVLT, aimed
to understand general usage patterns of residents
and visitors (such as preferred activities, frequency
of use, access points, etc.), as well as to identify the
most valued attributes of the open space and gather
feedback on what the community believes is working well or needs to
change.
Demographics
The results provide valuable insight representing users, neighbors and
individuals who wish to preserve the wildlife, scenic views, and overall
experience of this recreation destination. Respondents came from
across the Roaring Fork Valley: 60% from Aspen, 4% from Snowmass
Village, and collectively 22% from downvalley communities. About 3%
of the respondents were visitors and 6% were second-home owners.
The survey covered adult age groups, with similar representation from
nearly all age groups from 31 to 60. Seniors aged 61 and over accounted
for 20% of the responses. Young adults, aged 20 to 30, provided just 11%
of responses, and no responses were received from individuals under
the age of 19 though young users are often observed on the area’s
trails.
Activities
The survey indicated that the most popular and frequent activity at
Smuggler Mountain Open Space is hiking, with 49% of respondents
saying they participate in it weekly. Other frequent activities include
mountain biking, enjoying the amenities, dog walking and wildlife
viewing.
Survey Participation
Total Survey Respondents
380 individuals
Most Frequent Activities
1. Hiking / Walking
2. Mountain Biking
3. Enjoying the Amenities
Travel to the Trailhead
By Car 40%
By Bike 30%
By Foot 28%
By Bus 1%
Most-Used Trailheads
Smuggler Trailhead 91%
Lower Hunter Creek 43%
Upper Hunter Creek 33%
Lani White 29%
BLM Red Mountain Lot 19%
Mascotte 99 9%
Respondents by Age
Respondents by Residence
Aspen 60%
Downvalley 22%
(Basalt, Carbondale, Glenwood Springs)
Second-home owner 6%
Snowmass Village 4%
Visitor 3%
Attributes of Smuggler Ranked
by Importance to Respondents
Under 19 0%
Ages 20-30 11%
Ages 31-40 26%
Ages 41-50 21%
Ages 51-60 22%
Over 61 20%
1
2
3
4
5
During a typical visit to Smuggler Mountain Open Space, survey
respondents rated their experience with 4.3 stars.
4.3 Star
Average
Rating
Participation in and Frequency of Activities
Beauty/Scenic Views
Recreation Opportunities
Ecology/Habitat/Natural Resources
Culture/History/Character
Support Tourism
100%
96%
96%
79%
40%
5%
17%
18%
22%
26%
29%
34%
49%
19%
16%
14%
12%
24%
19%
23%
13%
46%
38%
30%
12%
17%
14%
31%
12%
23%
97%
91%
85%
47%
53%
86%
86%
34%
54%
47%
48%
16%
35%
Horseback riding
Hunting access
Educational programs
Winter access to 10thMountain …
Backcountry / cross-country skiing
Dirtbiking or other motorized use
E-biking
Access to National Forest lands
Trail running
Wildlife viewing
Dog-walking
Enjoying the amenities
Mountain biking
Hiking / walking
CHART TITLE
Weekly Monthly Yearly Never
46 | Process and Public Input Smuggler Mountain Open Space Management Plan | 47
21%
24%
45%
49%
50%
50%
51%
56%
63%
70%
75%
77%
87%
32%
15%
34%
32%
26%
41%
34%
22%
24%
18%
15%
16%
11%
47%
61%
21%
19%
24%
9%
15%
22%
13%
12%
10%
7%
No new trails
Expanded e-bikes routes
Reclamation of unsigned/user-created routes
Benches/rest stops along Smuggler Mountain
Road
New, beginner trails
Trail access/improvements for persons with
disabilities
Parking improvements
Maintain off-leash dog policy
Restroom near the Smuggler Trailhead
New, advanced trails
Smuggler Mountain Road maintenance (first 2
miles)
A single-track trail connection from town to the
upper trails (aka "portal" trail)
Single-track trail maintenance
CHART TITLE
Support Neutral Oppose
Important Qualities
The beauty and scenic views that Smuggler
Mountain and Hunter Creek offer were ranked as
the most important attributes of the open space
by respondents (nearly 100% rated them very
important, important or somewhat important),
followed closely by recreation opportunities (96%),
ecology/wildlife habitat and natural resources (96%)
and culture/history and character (79%). Conversely,
about 60% of respondents felt that attracting and
supporting tourism was not important.
Current Conditions
Respondents were generally satisfied (50% or more
very satisfied or satisfied) with the trailheads, trail
difficulty, trail types and variety, interpretive signs,
wayfinding signs and access to Hunter Creek. The
greatest number of respondents were neutral on
accessibility and inclusivity conditions (29%). Parking
areas (13%) and dog-waste receptacles (15%) received
Recreation Management
The highest level of support for future recreation
management, indicated by respondents, was for
single-track trail maintenance (86% of respondents
strongly or somewhat support). A single-track trail
connection from town, Smuggler Mountain Road
maintenance, new advanced trails, a restroom at
the trailhead, continuing the off-leash dog policy,
parking improvements, trail access for persons with
disabilities and new, beginner trails were supported
by half or more respondents. Expanded e-bike
routes was the only listed item that was opposed by
more than half of respondents.
Signage Updates
Updates to wayfinding and interpretive signage
received very little opposition from survey
respondents; generally, most respondents were
fairly neutral on signage updates. Updating
wayfinding signage was supported by just
over half of respondents (56%). Around 40% of
respondents were neutral to bilingual signage
and updated interpretive signage; still, just under
half of respondents indicated support for signage
improvements. Respondents were split in their
support and opposition of interactive or digital
history information.
DRAFT PLAN COMMENT PERIOD
The Draft Management Plan was released for public
comment in September 2024 and comments were
received for a one-month period. All responsed are
included in Appendix C. In total, 222 members of
the public responded to the draft plan comment
survey. The survey permitted respondents to rate
their level of support for the draft management
actions and, overall, 85% of respondents support the
plan’s management actions. Respondents could
further provide their preference for the top three
priorities. Of the listed management actions, the top
5 management actions supported by respondents
were (in this order):
•R.3 (Advanced Downhill Trail): 79% of
respondents cited this as one of their top three
priorities.
•R.1 (Portal Trail): 75%
•NR. 2 (Healthy forests: 17%
•R.7 (Hut Access): 14%
•EO 3. (Dog Waste): 10%
There were no difference in the top priorities of
Level of Support for Recreation Management
the highest reports of being unsatisfactory. Just over
one-third of respondents do not use the water filling
station or bike tools located at Park Circle. More than
half of respondents (59%) prefer to maintain the
current level of event use; few (8%) would prefer to
see the amount of event use increase.
Forest Health Management
Most respondents (86%) would prefer to see the
current forest health approach continue with
projects as needed for habitat diversity; few (5%)
would prefer a hands-off approach to forest health.
When it comes to wildfire, 83% of respondents are
interested in increased coordination with other
agencies and fire districts in the implementation
of mechanical projects primarily for the benefit of
wildfire risk reduction. Additionally, just over half of
respondents would support prescribed fire in the
Smuggler area.
respondents from the upper Roaring Fork Valley and
County residents compared to the overall priorties of
all respondents. A comment box allowed the public
to share their comments on the draft action items
supported or recommend changes or additions that
should be considered for the final plan; a total of 115
write-in comments were received.. Themes of the
write-in comments indicated support for:
•a portal trail
•trail additions and more advanced downhill
mountain biking trails
•preference to see wildlife protected over the
construction of new trails
•expanded e-bike access.
3.4 RELEVANT PLANS AND POLICIES
JOINT CITY OF ASPEN & PITKIN
COUNTY
2008 Smuggler Mountain Open Space
Management Plan
This initial management plan provided a framework
for managing the newly acquired lands and
assembled lands dating back to the 1970s. The goals
of this plan, jointly developed by the City of Aspen
and Pitkin County Open Space and Trails, included:
•Protect, manage and enhance the natural,
geologic, cultural and visual resources,
including maintaining and promoting healthy
ecosystems and their essential components
and processes.
•Provide and promote safe and enjoyable
outdoor recreation opportunities.
•Provide educational opportunities regarding
the values of the surrounding natural,
geologic, cultural and visual resources, and the
importance of responsible use and stewardship
of the land.
•Define implementation policies, programs and
responsibilities for the above goals, as well as
provide specific implementation steps where
appropriate.
Progress toward the 2008 management actions can
be found in Section 1. This 2024 plan update adds
contiguous acreage in the Hunter Creek Valley to
create a seamless plan for the area and will replace
the 2008 Management Plan.
48 | Process and Public Input Smuggler Mountain Open Space Management Plan | 49
PITKIN COUNTY OPEN SPACE AND
TRAILS
Title 12 of the Pitkin County Code
All properties and trails managed by Pitkin County
Open Space and Trails are subject to regulations set
forth in Title 12 of the Pitkin County Code. Individual
properties may be subject to additional terms
established in their respective management plans.
Open Space Board Policies
Protection of Natural Biodiversity and
Management of Human Use (adopted in 2016)
This policy requires that human uses on OST
properties be managed in a manner that preserves
and protects native biodiversity. The OST program
seeks to rely on the best available science to guide
management decisions, inform specialized habitat
management needs and identify opportunities
to restore healthy, natural functions in degraded
habitats.
2014 Pitkin County Open Space and
Trails Signage Design Guidelines
The 2014 Signage Design Guidelines are an update
to the Trail Design and Management Handbook. The
update covers materials, graphics, types, templates,
installation and maintenance for signs on Pitkin
County Open Space and Trails properties.
2024 Other Power Driven Mobility
Devices (OPDMD) Management Plan
The OPDMD Management Plan looks at trail
conditions in the Pitkin County system and
designates them as either open, closed or restricted
for OPDMD use. OST takes pride in providing
excellent recreational opportunities and works to
make these opportunities accessible when possible.
PITKIN COUNTY
2023 Pitkin County Hazard Mitigation
Plan
Pitkin County, Colorado’s 2023 Hazard Mitigation
Plan aims to reduce the potential for harm to
people, property and the environment from natural
and human-caused hazards. The plan encourages
incorporation of recommended mitigation actions
into other local government planning mechanisms,
like management plans. Relevant mitigation actions
2012 Hunter Creek-Smuggler Mountain
Cooperative Plan
The Cooperative Plan was a joint effort with the
City of Aspen, Pitkin County, the USDA Forest
Service and the Aspen Center for Environmental
Studies. The plan provides cohesive management
and a vision for an area that consists of 4,681 acres
adjacent to Smuggler Mountain Open Space.
Projects in the plan relevant to the Smuggler
Mountain Open Space planning area include:
•Extend theming and signage design on
adjacent open space properties onto national
forest lands within the planning area.
•Consider separation of trail uses on single-
track trails.
•Grading of key sections of Smuggler Mountain
Road, for approximately the first 4 miles.
2014 Lindsay Parcel Management Plan
Pitkin County Open Space and Trails (OST) and
the City of Aspen (COA) partnered to purchase
the Lindsay Parcel in 2012. The Lindsay Parcel
encompasses approximately seven acres located on
the northwest side of Smuggler Mountain and lies
within the Hunter Creek Valley. The goals of this plan
included:
•Identify critical wildlife or vegetation resources,
•Identify recreational opportunities, and
•Manage the property cohesively with the
Smuggler Mountain Open Space Management
Plan.
Through a public process, significant support
for the development of a multi-use, recreational
trail providing alternative access to the Hunter
Creek Valley from town emerged. The recreation
management actions reflect this trail connection
and established a potential recreation area.
General management actions stipulate that dogs
must be leashed on this parcel, which is consistent
with the current leash requirements on the Lower
Hunter Creek Trail.
Upon adoption of this plan, it was to be incorporated
into the management recommendations for the
greater Smuggler Mountain Open Space. This plan
update will replace the Lindsay Parcel Management
Plan.
encourage efforts to improve forest health, reduce
fuel loads and create defensible space within
wildland-urban interface areas.
2023 Pitkin County Community Wildfire
Protection Plan
Interagency cooperation, resources, community
access, and evacuation planning are essential for
effective wildfire response and mitigation, according
to the Pitkin County Community Wildfire Protection
Plan. This plan highlights the varying levels of
risk faced by different areas within Pitkin County
due to wildfires, emphasizing the importance of
wildfire risk management and mitigation efforts.
Relevant to Smuggler Mountain Open Space, this
plan encourages strategies such as fuel breaks,
defensible space, and structural ignitability as crucial
for reducing the threat of catastrophic wildfires and
protecting communities.
2003 East of Aspen/Independence
Caucus Plan
This plan addresses the area of Smuggler/Hunter
Creek. Relevant to Smuggler, the Caucus supports
maintenance of the face of Smuggler Mountain
as an undeveloped hillside as viewed from Aspen,
protection of the natural environment and the
preservation of Smuggler Mountain Road as a
gateway to vistas and recreation.
CITY OF ASPEN
Open Space Regulations
All open space parcels managed by City of Aspen
Parks and Open Space are subject to open space
regulations. Individual properties may be subject
to additional terms established in their respective
management plans.
City of Aspen Uphill Economy
Recreation Plan
This multimedia plan aims to create an economy
centered around uphill recreation activities like
hiking, skinning, backcountry skiing, cross-country
skiing and mountain biking. The plan explores
ways to improve trail systems, add trailheads, and
promote backcountry skiing areas.
Proposed backcountry hut policies include:
•Support expanded summer operations of
nearby huts.
•Explore opportunities for a new hut near
Aspen.
Proposed hiking and biking policies include:
•Support and collaborate with stakeholders on
responsible improvement and development
of mountain bike trails in accordance
with adopted plans, suitability analyses,
conservation mapping, and outreach
processes.
•Work to expand opportunities for fat biking in
the Aspen area.
•Work with local partners and land managers to
enhance the sustainability and trail experience
of the Smuggler Mountain trails.
STATE OF COLORADO
2024-2028 Statewide Comprehensive
Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP)
Every five years, Colorado Parks and Wildlife
leads development of a comprehensive outdoor
recreation plan to maintain eligibility for funding
through the Land and Water Conservation Fund,
and to inform additional investments from other
federal, state, local and private programs. SCORP
priorities reflect the current trends, opportunities
and challenges facing Colorado’s outdoor recreation
resources. High levels of involvement to create
this plan were required from outdoor recreation
stakeholders. Four priority areas are intended to be
integrated into outdoor recreation and conservation
efforts across the state:
•Access and Opportunity – All Coloradans and
visitors have access to and opportunity for
sustainable outdoor recreation.
•Stewardship – Coloradans and visitors enjoy
and care for natural and cultural resources
and commit to stewarding them for future
generations.
•Land, Water and Wildlife Conservation – Private
and public lands and waters are conserved to
support sustainable outdoor recreation, the
environment and wildlife habitat.
•Financial Sustainability – Enhanced and varied
funding sources combined with greater
collaboration across recreation sectors directs
more resources to support outdoor recreation
and conservation.
50 | Process and Public Input Smuggler Mountain Open Space Management Plan | 51
4. Management
4.1 MANAGEMENT GOALS
•Protect, manage and enhance the natural, historical and
visual resources including maintaining and promoting healthy
ecosystems and their essential components and processes.
•Provide and promote safe and enjoyable outdoor recreational
opportunities.
•Provide educational opportunities regarding the values of
the surrounding natural, historic and visual resources and the
importance of responsible use and stewardship of the land.
•Define management actions with specific implementation steps,
where appropriate, and roles and responsibilities.
4.2 REGULATIONS AND POLICIES
Smuggler Mountain Open Space is in unincorporated Pitkin County,
and Pitkin County Title 12 regulations of the Pitkin County Code apply
to the property. Specific regulations pertaining to Smuggler Mountain
Open Space were prepared with public safety as a primary goal.
Both City of Aspen and Pitkin County Open Space rangers are
authorized to enforce these regulations to streamline administrative
efficiency and allow for mutual enforcement across jurisdictional
boundaries. In addition to education and enforcement of property
regulations, Rangers also assist the Sheriff’s Office, other law
enforcement agencies, and emergency personnel in responding to
public safety-related activity at Smuggler.
TITLE 12
Title 12, Section-04-030 of the Pitkin County code outlines the
“Rules Regarding Public Use of Pitkin County Open Space and Trails
Program.” Some of the regulations that apply to county-owned parcels
on Smuggler Mountain Open Space.
•no camping,
•no hunting,
•no campfires,
•no entry into closed areas,
•no discharging of firearms,
•no fireworks,
•no littering,
•no vandalism, property damage or removal of resources,
•no harassment of wildlife, etc.,
•a valid fishing license is required.
SMUGGLER MOUNTAIN OPEN SPACE
REGULATIONS
Pitkin County Title 12 and City of Aspen regulations allow for
management plans to provide for individualized regulations. The
Fairy slipper orchids bloom
along Lollipop Trail.
Public feedback
informs the
management actions
contained in this
plan update for
Smuggler Mountain
Open Space. A total of
602 responses were
collected from the
public through the
initial online survey
and final comments to
the draft plan.
52 | Management
following regulations apply to all parcels within
Smuggler Mountain Open Space, superseding Pitkin
County Title 12 and City of Aspen regulations unless
otherwise precluded by easement language.
Dog Voice and Sight Area
Dogs are permitted on all established trails.
Smuggler Mountain Road, Hunter Creek Cutoff Trail
and singletrack trails are managed as a voice and
sight control area. A mandatory leash law is in effect
on Lower Hunter Creek Trail, from the trailhead to
the Forest Service boundary. The very narrow nature
of the trail, below the junction with the BLM Parking
Lot Access Trail, and the proximity of the creek to
the trail necessitate this leash law for safety and
resource protection.
Voice and sight control is subject to review and
can be revoked at any time to address changing
circumstances, based on use, conflicts, and other
unforeseen issues. The following rules apply to voice
and sight control areas:
•Dogs must be in sight of guardian.
•Dogs must be under voice control and respond
the first time the guardian commands the dog
to come.
•Dogs not under voice and sight control must
be leashed at all times.
•Guardian must carry one leash per dog.
•Guardian must carry and use dog waste bags,
which may not be left along the trail.
•Dog waste must be removed and carried out/
placed in a waste receptacle.
•No more than two (2) unleashed dogs per
guardian are allowed.
•Violations are subject to fines under Title 12.
Motorized Vehicles
Licensed motorized vehicles are permitted on
Smuggler Mountain Road. Pitkin County Title 12
and City of Aspen regulations prohibit motorized
recreation on the rest of Smuggler Mountain Open
Space. .Maintenance and emergency vehicles are
allowed.
Hours of operation
There are no night time or seasonal closures on
Smuggler Mountain Open Space.
E-Bikes
Electric bicycles, also known as e-bikes, are allowed
SPECIAL AND COMMERCIALUSE
REGULATIONS
Commercial Use
A Pitkin County Open Space and Trails permit is required for
commercial uses that take place on Smuggler Mountain Open Space
properties, including filming and photo shoots and guided services.
Group size limits may be limited as a condition of a permit due to use,
safety, resource impacts and time of day.
Special Uses and Events
Special-use permits from Pitkin County Open Space and Trails
are required for any organized use of the property. Community
development permits may apply. Use of Smuggler Mountain Road, a
county right-of-way, requires a permit from Community Development.
MEMORIAL POLICY
All memorials placed on Pitkin County Open Space and Trails
properties and trails are addressed in the adopted Stewardship
Policies, which allows for individual management plans to determine
the memorial policy for individual properties. For all parcels included in
this plan, no additional memorials are permitted.
on Smuggler Mountain Road. E-bikes are not
permitted on any other trails on Smuggler Mountain
Open Space. Any potential changes to e-bike
regulation at Smuggler Mountain Open Space as a
result of Forest Service policy changes on adjacent
federal lands will be reviewed with the City and
County Open Space boards, Pitkin County Board of
County Commissioners and Aspen City Council.
Accessibility
Use of mobility devices by persons with mobility
impairments on Smuggler area trails is addressed
in the Pitkin County Other Power Driven Mobility
Device Management Plan.
SMUGGLER MOUNTAIN ROAD
Smuggler Mountain Road traverses land owned by
Pitkin County, City of Aspen and private lands before
entering National Forest lands. To best manage
the significant use of Smuggler Mountain Road as
a recreational road, the 2022 Pitkin County Road
Maintenance and Management Plan authorizes
Rangers to enforce provisions of Title 12, including
but not limited to open space parking restrictions
and specialized management plans.
SMUGGLER MOUNTAIN
TRAILHEAD
Smuggler Mountain Trailhead is located on a
portion of the Mollie Gibson parcel that includes
the trailhead and dirt parking lot in addition to
Mollie Gibson Park and parking at Park Circle. Pitkin
County Title 12 and Smuggler Mountain Open Space
regulations are enforceable on the Mollie Gibson
Management area, as depicted in Map 11.
MOLLIE GIBSON PARK
This park is maintained and managed by the City of
Aspen. City of Aspen Regulations are enforceable at
Mollie Gibson Park.
VERENA MALLORY PARK AND
EMILEE BENEDICT PARK
Aspen Valley Land Trust owns the Varena Mallory
and Emily Benedict Park parcels, within the
Smuggler Mountain Open Space boundary. Pitkin
County Title 12 and Smuggler Mountain Open Space
regulations are enforceable on the entirety of the
parcels.
Map 11.
54 | Management Smuggler Mountain Open Space Management Plan | 55
4.3 MANAGEMENT ACTIONS
NATURAL RESOURCES
Action 1.
Conduct assessment of riparian zones prior to any nearby
vegetation, forest or trail work.
Desired Outcome:
Full understanding of riparian conditions is gained and critical
elements are protected from nearby activities.
Proposed Steps:
□Conduct field-based assessment of creek and riparian areas prior
to implementation of any management actions that have the
potential to impact the riparian zone. Methodology may be a rapid
qualitative assessment of riparian corridor health utilizing the
Proper Functioning Condition (PFC) methodology (USDA-NRCS
1998) or other OST protocols.
□Actions include but are not limited to forest health improvement
projects, machinery or equipment traveling through the riparian
zone, upslope/upstream projects that disturb soil, recreational
corridors entering the area, etc.
Action 2.
Maintain and promote healthy, resilient forests.
Desired Outcome:
Forests of all types are maintained for general health and resilience
with the overall goal of letting natural processes (e.g. vegetation
succession, pest cycles, fire) proceed. A well-managed forest will result
in quality wildlife habitat, will be wildfire resilient and will be more
resistant to disease.
Proposed Steps:
□Consider recommendations from the Forest Health Assessment for
specific project implementation to respond to changed conditions
with a focus on forest health.
□Convene Hunter-Smuggler Cooperative to prioritize and
implement recommended actions at Smuggler and adjacent
parcels owned by the City of Aspen and USFS.
Action 3.
Implement treatment prescriptions (e.g. mechanical thinning) to
maintain integrity and habitat value of oak-dominated shrublands
and reduce wildfire risk.
Desired Outcome:
A disturbance regime in Gambel oak-dominated shrublands is
maintained at intervals as needed to create and maintain age class
diversity of this plant community across the Smuggler area landscape,
for ecological resiliency, direct habitat benefits to ungulates, bears,
birds and other wildlife species and co-benefits public safety through
reduced fuel loads.
Proposed Steps:
Prioritize and implement actions recommended for oak-dominated shrublands contained in the Forest
Health Assessment. Additionally, Smuggler-specific recommendations include:
□Implement mechanical thinning in areas of overly mature/unhealthy oak shrublands, as identified by
field-based assessments.
□Follow best management practices during project implementation, including but not limited to:
•Avoid areas with sagebrush or bitterbrush as co-dominant, as they do not resprout, instead
focusing on serviceberry, snowberry and mountain mahogany co-dominated areas.
•Noxious weed pre-treatment should be taken before any treatments on mountain shrublands on
the west side, or anywhere where there are occurrences of cheatgrass and other invasive plant
threats.
□Maintain areas of mature oak on the landscape; these areas are important for avifauna, acorn production
and general age-class diversity.
□Fire may be considered instead/in addition to mechanical treatments when and where safety allows, for
even more effective ecological benefit.
Action 4.
Implement small-patch cuts in forested areas.
Desired Outcome:
Age-class diversity exists in lodgepole pine dominated forests, with canopy openings and active
regeneration occurring to provide long-term forest health and short-/long-term wildlife habitat
improvements via increased habitat complexity.
Proposed Steps:
□Review recommendations in the Forest Health Assessment and priorities identified across the OST
system.
□Identify and evaluate feasibility of implementation in recommended zones.
□Monitor forest health over time to inform decisions on project size, scope and implementation.
□Follow best management practices, including but not limited to:
•Conduct raptor surveys prior to any treatments and amend units to avoid nest areas
•Evaluate human safety and trail impacts of projects.
•Let natural processes drive recovery, but monitor and adaptively manage project areas as
needed (i.e. weed control).
Action 5.
Maintain dead wood resources onsite to maintain ecosystem complexity.
Desired Outcome:
Coarse woody debris exists throughout all forest types on the property, providing nesting, denning, and
winter habitat for small mammals, long- and short-tailed weasels, and American marten. Standing dead/
snags exist for avifauna habitat and cavity nesters.
Proposed Steps:
□Engage an ecologist, natural resource specialist or other qualified individual on any tree removal project,
including trail, mastication, thinning, wildfire-risk reduction or other such projects to ensure balanced
objectives are met overall.
OST’s overall philosophy
and approach to managing
natural resources now,
and in the future, is to
foster resiliency of the
natural ecosystem –
to support the health
and function of local
ecosystems so that native
ora, fauna and natural
processes can persist and
adapt in a changing world.
56 | Management Smuggler Mountain Open Space Management Plan | 57
Action 6.
Ensure avian nesting sites are identified and
protected on an as-needed basis.
Desired Outcome:
Raptors, songbirds and ground-nesting birds are
protected during their sensitive nesting periods.
Proposed Steps:
□Avian surveys will be completed prior to any
nearby vegetation, forest or trail work that is to
occur during sensitive nesting periods.
□If significant raptor activity and/or nesting
behavior is observed on site, conduct raptor
surveys to verify any nesting activity and
consider temporal and/or spatial buffers to
prevent potential recreational disturbance
impacts on active nests. Consider spatial buffers
for nests at 400 meters around any active or
recently active Northern goshawk or Cooper’s
hawk nest, or best available science.
□Consider temporal buffers based on best
available science for each species, with a
priority on encompassing at least the early
fledgling period to prevent potential premature
fledging and/or decreased prey deliveries to
dependent fledglings caused by human activity
disturbances.
Action 7.
Maintain habitat quality for potentially occurring
federally protected species.
Desired Outcome:
Management actions do not negatively impact lynx/
snowshoe hare habitat, cutthroat trout or golden
eagle habitat.
Proposed Steps:
□Within areas identified as potential lynx habitat,
analyze potential impacts of proposed projects
that would increase snow compaction, which
could facilitate travel of predators that are
competitors with lynx in and around the area.
□Maintain snowshoe hare habitat, particularly
the subalpine fir–aspen forest and lodgepole
pine forest, to allow for increases in current hare
population levels that might benefit lynx.
□Consider Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s
recommended a quarter-mile buffer around
any active golden eagle nests from December 1
through July 31.
RECREATION
Action 1.
Explore the feasibility of a lower access “portal
trail.”
Desired Outcome:
Explore the potential for a portal trail to connect
mountain bikers on the Hunter-Smuggler trail
network to Aspen, therefore, improving the
recreation experience and reducing bike traffic on
Red Mountain Road. Public comment reflects a
desire for this trail. Pitkin County and City of Aspen
staff previously explored options for a portal trail in
2014, but an easily identifiable location for a portal
trail was not evident given the topography of the
area, land ownership constraints and mapped
wildlife habitat. Staff will do its due diligence to
explore additional options for a potential route. The
findings will be documented to assist with future
planning efforts in the area. Should land ownership
change, alternative locations will be reviewed and
considered.
Proposed Steps:
□Review the possibility for a portal trail.
□If a future opportunity arises, targeted studies,
best available science and discussions with
CPW and ecologists would be required to assess
potential impacts to wildlife and biodiversity.
□Recommendation for approval by City of Aspen
and Pitkin County Open Space boards.
Action 2.
Designate the steep, rocky portion of the Lower
Hunter Creek Trail for pedestrian use only,
between the trailhead and the Benedict Bridge.
Desired Outcome:
Potential conflicts with hikers and leashed dogs is
reduced by eliminating mountain bike traffic on
this steep, rocky trail, which is currently signed as
mountain-biking not recommended.
Proposed Steps:
□Formally designate Lower Hunter Creek Trail
from the trailhead to the intersection with the
BLM Parking Lot Access Trail as pedestrian only.
□Install signage and update trail information.
Action 8.
Collaborate on Hunter Creek protections and
enhancements for long-term stream health and
viability.
Desired Outcome:
Hunter Creek water quality and quantity is
monitored at a regional level and protected and/or
improved as possible, both within Smuggler and in
the broader landscape.
Proposed Steps:
□Provide in-kind support and access for water
quality monitoring.
□Collaborate in efforts as identified in the 2017
Upper Roaring Fork River Management Plan,
including but not limited to maintaining
instream flows for aquatic life and ecosystem
function, filling data gaps on Hunter Creek
stream function, and other goals.
□Work with CPW on native fish projects in Hunter
Creek as they are implemented. Potential actions
include improving fish movement, removal of
non-natives, etc. See Hunter Creek Cutthroat
Trout Management (Upper Roaring Fork River
Management Plan 2017).
□Consider participation in ditch and water
conveyance efficiency projects for residential
and agricultural properties that use water
diverted from Hunter Creek (e.g. Salvation Ditch,
Red Mountain Ditch) if water efficiencies may
benefit Hunter Creek.
Action 9.
Implement wolf reintroduction awareness as
needed.
Desired Outcome:
Ensure staff, local residents and land managers are
aware of Colorado’s wolf reintroduction project and
best management practices to adapt to this species’
presence in Colorado.
Proposed Steps:
□Staff to monitor the reintroduction process.
□Coordinate with CPW.
□Provide education to the public in the case of
wolf presence at Smuggler.
Public Desire for a “Portal Trail”
2014 Lindsay Parcel Management Plan
rough the public scoping process, a clear
desire was expressed to utilize the Lindsay
Parcel for the development of a multi-use,
recreational trail that would create an alternate
access to the Hunter Creek Valley.
2024 Smuggler Open Space Management Plan
Update
Survey results indicate continued support for a
singletrack trail connection to and from town
and the upper trails at Smuggler and the Hunter
Creek Valley. is recreation management
action was the second-most supported action
for sta to consider, with 59% reporting strong
support and 18% somewhat supporting.
Public feedback on the draft management plan
indicated that the completion of a portal trail
ranked among the top three priorities of this
management plan.
58 | Management Smuggler Mountain Open Space Management Plan | 59
Action 3.
Explore feasibility of constructing an advanced
mountain biking trail on the north-facing
slope connecting Smuggler Mountain Road to
Smuggler trails.
Desired Outcome:
Address community desire for downhill-only,
advanced mountain biking trails.
Proposed Steps:
□Designate a zone that minimally impacts known
wildlife concerns and explore alternative routes
for downhill-only, mountain biking (Map 12).
Consider overall trail connectivity and volume of
use.
□If a trail is feasible, targeted studies, best
available science and discussions with CPW and
ecologists would be required to assess potential
impacts to wildlife and biodiversity.
Action 5.
Install a new kiosk at Smuggler Mountain
Trailhead and update information at BTS kiosk.
Desired Outcome:
Provide current information and maps for visitors to
Smuggler Mountain Open Space.
Proposed Steps:
□Review current sign content and update needs.
Provide direction to nearby restrooms.
□Fabricate and install a new kiosk, per
Maintenance Action #3.
Action 6.
Install bicycle rack(s) at the base of Smuggler
Mountain Road.
Desired Outcome:
Encourage bicycle use by providing safe bike storage
for visitors to Smuggler Mountain Open Space. Bike
racks will facilitate alternative transportation among
Smuggler users.
Proposed Steps:
□Purchase and install one or more bike racks in a
suitable location that is visible to potential users
and does not impact maintenance operations.
Action 7.
Maintain winter access to huts on surrounding
public lands.
Desired Outcome:
Maintain winter access to the 10th Mountain Hut
System.
Proposed Steps:
□Coordinate with the 10th Mountain Division
and update access routes if future needs/
improvements are needed.
Action 8.
Review development agreements for Mollie
Gibson Park and determine whether additional
documentation is required for ongoing
maintenance and use.
Desired outcome:
Clarify and establish responsibilities for long-term
maintenance and management of the Park.
Proposed steps:
□Review development agreements.
Map 12.Trail Connection
Potential Area of Interest
EDUCATION AND OUTREACH
Action 1.
Update and install regulatory signage.
Desired Outcome:
Maintain signage with current regulations.
Proposed Steps:
□Review current conditions, information and
visibility of regulatory signage.
□Replace outdated signage.
Action 2.
Replace interpretive signs.
Desired Outcome:
Educate visitors about the historic / cultural
significance of the area and the natural resource
management that has occurred.
Proposed Steps:
□Remove signs in poor condition as needed.
□Explore options for interactive/digital historical
signage.
Action 3.
Continue a campaign to address dog waste and
dog-owner etiquette on Smuggler Mountain
Road.
Desired Outcome:
Increased dog-owner awareness and compliance
with dog waste rules.
Proposed Steps:
□Study / review of best practices to encourage
desired behavioral change.
□Design of eye-catching and informative signs,
advertising and/or media.
□Coordinate with ACRA to expand messaging
related to dog waste and dog-owner etiquette.
□Recommendation for approval by City of Aspen
and Pitkin County Open Space boards.
□Design/build the trail utilizing local volunteers
and designate use. Install appropriate signage.
Action 4.
Add a midway viewpoint along Smuggler
Mountain Road.
Desired Outcome:
Support recreational use from visitors of all ages and
abilities by adding a midway viewpoint with seating
along Smuggler Mountain Road.
Proposed Steps:
□Evaluate potential locations.
□Install a bench and complete associated
landscape improvements.
Area of interest for a
mountain biking trail
connecting Smuggler
Mountain Road to
Smuggler trails.
Recreation Action #3
White River
National Forest
Smuggler Mountain Trailhead
Lower Hunter Creek Trailhead
Lollipop
Tootsie
Roll
N
Smuggler
Mountain
Conservation
Easement
Smuggler Mountain Road
60 | Management Smuggler Mountain Open Space Management Plan | 61
MONITORING AND STEWARDSHIP
Action 1.
Continue wildlife and vegetation monitoring at
regular intervals.
Desired Outcome:
Managing partner agencies continue to collect
relevant ecological data to scientifically inform
adaptive management.
Proposed Steps:
□Follow recommended monitoring intervals for
wildlife and vegetation resources.
□Engage ecological consultants and/or staff to
implement monitoring.
□Review reports with partners, evaluate for
management implications and archive data.
Action 2.
Maintain and improve collaboration with partner
agencies that manage lands, animals and
recreational activities on or adjacent to Smuggler
and/or require access to the via Smuggler
Mountain Road to manage their public assets.
Desired Outcome:
Increase collaborative management of natural
resources at the landscape scale and across
jurisdictional boundaries.
Proposed Steps:
□Maintain communication with CPW, USFS, BLM
and other partner agencies and support cross
jurisdictional efforts.
Action 3.
Monitor vegetative recovery at reclaimed mine
sites and other areas of past disturbance.
Desired Outcome:
Ensure disturbed ground is on a trajectory toward
recovery with native vegetation.
Proposed Steps:
□Visit sites of ground disturbance, including
roads, historical mine activity sites, project sites,
etc., and evaluate the need for and feasibility of
additional vegetation establishment.
□Prioritize and implement revegetation projects.
Action 4.
Conduct a cultural resource assessment to
identify and evaluate the cultural resources.
MAINTENANCE
Action 1.
Maintain Smuggler Mountain Road at its current width and condition.
Desired Outcome:
Continue to accommodate multiple uses, both vehicular and non-vehicular, and provide access for area
land management, emergency response and residential use.
Proposed Steps:
□Coordinate maintenance with Pitkin County Road and Bridge on an as-needed basis.
□Continue to allow licensed vehicles on Smuggler Mountain Road.
Action 2.
Improve boardwalks on Lower Hunter Creek Trail.
Desired Outcome:
Improve and extend boardwalk sections on Lower Hunter Creek (LHC) Trail.
Proposed Steps:
□Assess current boardwalk effectiveness and identify design improvements that could be implemented
to improve the functionality and aesthetics of the boardwalk.
□Identify sections of trail where boardwalk sections should be extended.
□Create scope of work and bid design/build project out to local carpentry contractors.
Action 3.
Create a maintenance agreement and schedule with defined responsibilities.
Desired Outcome:
Formalize roles and responsibilities for the maintenance of trails and open space amenities between Pitkin
County Open Space and Trails and City of Aspen Open Space and Trails.
Proposed Steps:
□Identify general maintenance needs, create a schedule and define responsibilities.
□Identify sign standards and update intervals for informational, wayfinding and interpretive signage.
□Document an internal agreement between City of Aspen and Pitkin County staff.
Action 4.
Actively manage noxious vegetation to promote the vigor of native biodiversity utilizing an integrated
approach.
Desired Outcome:
In accordance with the best available science, regulations and resources, the collaboration of land
managers (OST, City of Aspen, AVLT) will prevent the introduction of new species, eradicate noxious species
with isolated populations, and contain and reduce populations that are well established and widespread.
Proposed Steps:
□Continue annual noxious weed control.
□Develop and implement noxious weed protocols with partners and adjacent landowners. Include in
maintenance plan (See Action M.3). See Appendix D. for the table of noxious weed species and proposed
treatment methods.
□Routinely monitor the establishment of new populations and effectiveness of prescribed treatments.
Desired Outcome:
Ensure the protection of important cultural heritage.
Proposed Steps:
□Engage a consultant to conduct an
archaeological and cultural resource survey in
accordance with Section 106 of the National
Historic Preservation Act of 1966.
□Further testing and/or protection of
archaeological and historical sites as necessary.
□Through consultation and agreement with
federal, state, local and tribal authorities, develop
a strategy to safeguard the area from any
adverse impacts.
Action 5.
Continue to monitor recreational use.
Desired Outcome:
Understand the amount of use as well as
compliance with rules and regulations.
Proposed Steps:
□Continue placement of trail use counter(s).
Action 6.
Evaluate elk calving (production) and rearing
habitat to determine if it is active.
Desired Outcome:
Elk have the space and protection from disturbance
to utilize habitat on Smuggler for calving and
rearing their young.
Proposed Steps:
□Coordinate research on elk activity with CPW.
□Engage consultants to conduct field reviews for
evidence of calving/rearing as needed.
□If elk production and/or rearing is confirmed,
consider recreation restriction in coordination
with impacted agencies for areas with elk
reproduction activity from May 1 – June 28.
PARAMETER INTERVAL
Update vegetation type map, revise floristic
inventory and conduct rare plant surveys in
high quality habitat
As needed.
Quantitative Permanent Transects Every ~10 years.
Qualitative habitat condition and animal
use evaluation
Every ~7-10 years.
Noxious Weeds See maintenance
plan
Table 8.Natural Resource Monitoring Schedule
62 | Management Smuggler Mountain Open Space Management Plan | 63
Aspen
Education &
Outreach Action #2
Education &
Outreach Action #3
Maintenance
Action #1
Maintenance
Action #2
Natural Resources
Action #1 & #8
Natural Resources
Action #2 & #4
Natural Resources
Action #3
Dog Voice and Sight Area Includes
Smuggler Mountain Road and
Singletrack Trails
Dogs Must be Leashed
on Lower Hunter Creek
Trail
Recreation Action #1
Recreation Action #3
Recreation Action #2
Recreation Action #4
Recreation Action #5 & #6
Monitoring &
Stewardship Action #2
Motorized Vehicles and
E-bikes Allowed
White River
National ForestSmuggler Mountain Open Space
Smuggler Mountain Open SpaceManagement Actions
Smuggler Mountain Trailhead
Lani White
Mascotte 99
Lower Hunter Creek Trailhead
Upper Hunter Creek Trailhead
BLM Parking Lot on Red Mountain
Conservation
Easement
Conservation
Easement
Limited Parking for ADA,
Seniors and Hut Access
Motorized Vehicles and Motorized Vehicles and
Smuggler Mountain Road
BTS
Platform
Lollipop
10th
Mountain
Hunter Creek
Cut-o
Tootsie
Roll
Rio
Grande
Trail
Picnic
Loop
N
Smuggler
Mountain
Red Mountain
Hunter Creek
Valley
Roaring
F
o
r
k
R
i
v
e
r
Hunter Creek
64 | Management
5. Implementation
66 | Implementation Smuggler Mountain Open Space Management Plan | 67
SMUGGLER MOUNTAIN OPEN SPACE
MANAGEMENT ACTIONS
TIME
FRAME PARTNERS BUDGET
NATURAL RESOURCES
NR.1 Conduct assessment of riparian zones prior to any
nearby vegetation, forest or trail work.
Ongoing OST, COA, AVLT As needed
NR.2 Maintain and promote healthy, resilient forests.Short- and
long-term
OST, COA, AVLT $-$$$
NR.3
Implement treatment prescriptions (e.g. mechanical
thinning) to maintain integrity and habitat value of oak-
dominated shrublands and reduce wildfire risk.
Short- and
long-term
OST, COA, AVLT,
Aspen Fire $-$$$
NR.4 Implement small patch cuts in forested areas.Short- and
long-term
OST, COA, AVLT $-$$$
NR.5 Maintain dead wood resources onsite to maintain
ecosystem complexity.
Ongoing OST, COA, AVLT,
CPW, USFS As needed
NR.6 Ensure avian nesting sites are identified and protected
on an as-needed basis.
Ongoing OST, COA, AVLT,
CPW As needed
NR.7 Maintain habitat quality for potentially occurring federally protected species.
Ongoing OST, COA, AVLT,
CPW As needed
NR.8 Collaborate on Hunter Creek protections and
enhancements for long-term stream health and viability.
Ongoing OST, COA, AVLT,
CPW As needed
NR.9 Implement wolf reintroduction awareness as needed.As needed OST, COA, AVLT,
CPW
None at this time
RECREATION
R.1 Explore the feasibility of a lower access “portal trail.”Short- and
long-term
OST, COA, AVLT,
CPW, USFS As needed
R.2
Designate the steep, rocky portion of the Lower Hunter
Creek Trail for pedestrian use only, between the trailhead
and the Benedict Bridge.
Short-term OST, COA, AVLT
$
R.3
Explore feasibility of constructing an advanced mountain
biking trail on the north-facing slope connecting
Smuggler Mountain Road to Lollipop.
Short-term OST, COA, CPW,
USFS, RFMBA $$
R.4 Add a midway viewpoint along Smuggler Mountain
Road.
Short-term OST, COA $
R.5 Install a new kiosk at Smuggler Mountain Trailhead and
update information at BTS kiosk.
Short-term OST, COA $
R.6 Install bicycle rack(s) at the base of Smuggler Mountain
Road.
Short-term OST, COA $
R.7 Maintain winter access to huts on surrounding public
lands.
As needed OST, 10th
Mountain
Division N/A
R.8
Review agreements for Mollie Gibson Park and
determine whether an additional MOU, or similar
document, is required for ongoing maintenance and use
of the parcel.
Short-term OST, COA
N/A
SMUGGLER MOUNTAIN OPEN SPACE
MANAGEMENT ACTIONS
TIME
FRAME PARTNERS BUDGET
EDUCATION AND OUTREACH
EO.1 Update and install regulatory signage.Short-term OST, COA, AVLT $
EO.2 Replace interpretive signs.Long-term OST, COA, AVLT,
Aspen Historical
Society $$
EO.3 Continue a campaign to address dog waste and dog-
owner etiquette on Smuggler Mountain Road.
Ongoing OST, COA, AVLT,
ACRA $
MONITORING AND STEWARDSHIP
MS.1 Continue wildlife and vegetation monitoring at regular
intervals.
Ongoing OST, COA $$
MS.2
Maintain and improve collaboration with partner
agencies that manage lands, animals and recreational
activities on or adjacent to Smuggler and/or require
access via Smuggler Mountain Road to manage their
public assets.
Ongoing OST, COA, AVLT,
CPW, USFS,
others N/A
MS.3 Monitor vegetative recovery at reclaimed mine sites and
other areas of past disturbance.
Short-term OST, COA None at this time
MS.4
Conduct a cultural resource assessment to identify and
evaluate the cultural resources of the Open Space.
Long-term OST, COA, AVLT,
USFS, Aspen
Historical
Society
$$
MS.5 Continue to monitor recreational use.Ongoing OST, COA $
MS.6 Evaluate elk calving (production) and rearing habitat to
determine if it is active.
Ongoing OST, COA, AVLT,
CPW As needed
MAINTENANCE
M.1 Maintain Smuggler Mountain Road at its current width
and condition.
Ongoing Pitkin County
Road and
Bridge N/A
M.2 Improve boardwalks on Lower Hunter Creek Trail.Short-term OST, COA, RFOV $$
M.3 Create a maintenance agreement and schedule with
defined responsibilities.
Short-term OST, COA, AVLT N/A
M.4
Actively manage noxious vegetation to promote the
vigor of native biodiversity utilizing an integrated
approach.
Ongoing OST, COA, AVLT Annual Operating Budget
KEY
$<$10,000
$$$10,000 - $75,000
$$$>$75,000
Short-Term 0-5 years
Long-term 5+ years
Ongoing Annual / routine Anticipated costs represent a range of possible
expenditures, subject to change over time.
68 | Implementation Smuggler Mountain Open Space Management Plan | 69
Appendix
2024 SMUGGLER MOUNTAIN OPEN SPACE MANAGEMENT PLAN
A. COMMUNITY SURVEY RESULTS
B. PARTNER COMMENTS
C. DRAFT PLAN PUBLIC COMMENTS
D. NOXIOUS WEEDS AND PROPOSED TREATMENTS
Smuggler Mountain Open Spac e M anagem ent Plan – 2024 Update
1 / 38
91%343
43%160
33%125
29%108
18%69
9%35
2%7
0%0
Q1 What trailheads do you most frequently use to access Smuggler
Mountain Open Space? Select all that apply.
Answered: 376 Sk ipped: 4
Total Res pondent s: 376
#OTHER (PLEASE SPECIFY)DATE
1 Red mtn 10th mtn 7/22/2024 11:49 AM
2 Hunter smuggler loop 7/8/2024 3:32 PM
3 Hunters creek / smuggler loop in 7/8/2024 10:43 AM
91%91% 91%
43%43% 43%
33%33% 33%
29%29% 29%
18 %18 % 18 %
9%9% 9%
2%2% 2%
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%1 00%
Smuggl er
Trailhead
Low er Hunter
Cr eek Tr ail head
Upper Hunter
Cr eek Tr ail head
Lani White
Trailhead
BLM Red
M o unt ain
Parking Lot
M ascotte 99
Tr ail head
Other (please
specify)
None of the
above
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Smuggler Trailhead
Lower Hunter Creek Trailhead
Upper Hunter Creek Trailhead
Lani White Trailhead
BLM Red Mountain Parking Lot
Mas c otte 99 Trailhead
Other (please s pecify)
None of the abov e
Smuggler Mountain Open Spac e M anagem ent Plan – 2024 Update
1 / 38
91%343
43%160
33%125
29%108
18%69
9%35
2%7
0%0
Q1 What trailheads do you most frequently use to access Smuggler
Mountain Open Space? Select all that apply.
Answered: 376 Sk ipped: 4
Total Res pondent s: 376
#OTHER (PLEASE SPECIFY)DATE
1 Red mt n 10th mtn 7/22/2024 11:49 AM
2 Hunter smuggler loop 7/8/2024 3:32 PM
3 Hunters c reek / smuggler loop in 7/8/2024 10:43 AM
91%91% 91%
43%43% 43%
33%33% 33%
29%29% 29%
18 %18 % 18 %
9%9% 9%
2%2% 2%
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%1 00%
Smuggl er
Trailhead
Low er Hunter
Cr eek Tr ail head
Upper Hunter
Cr eek Tr ail head
Lani White
Trailhead
BLM Red
M o unt ain
Par king Lot
M ascotte 99
Tr ail head
Other (please
specify)
None of the
above
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Smuggler Trailhead
Lower Hunter Creek Trailhead
Upper Hunter Creek Trailhead
Lani White Trailhead
BLM Red Mountain Parking Lot
Mas c otte 99 Trailhead
Other (please s pecify)
None of the abov e
Smuggler Mountain Open Spac e M anagem ent Plan – 2024 Update
2 / 38
4 Mak e it all better 7/1/2024 9:27 AM
5 Sunnyside 6/24/2024 9:53 PM
6 Sunnyside / St ein Park 6/24/2024 10:19 AM
7 All 6/22/2024 1:16 PM
APPENDIX A. COMMUNITY SURVEY RESULTS
Smuggler Mountain Open Spac e M anagem ent Plan – 2024 Update
3 / 38
Q2 Which of the following activities do you participate in at Smuggler
Mountain Open Space?
Answered: 380 Sk ipped: 0
5%5% 5%
36%36% 36%
17%17% 17%
48%48 % 48 %
47%47% 47%
35%35% 35%
54%54% 54%
87%87% 87%
47%47% 47%
53%53% 53%
8 6%8 6% 8 6%
91%91% 91%
85%85% 85%
97%97% 97%
4%4% 4%
2%2% 2%
9%9% 9%
2%2% 2%
4%4% 4%
9%9% 9%
3%3% 3%
3%3% 3%
34%34% 34%
22%22% 22%
4%4% 4%
4%4% 4%
8 %8 % 8 %
1%1% 1%
19%19% 19%
10%10% 10%
22%22% 22%
12%12% 12%
13%13% 13%
21%21% 21%
9%9% 9%
12%12% 12%
16%16% 16%
5%5% 5%
7%7% 7%
6%6% 6%
10%10% 10%
4%4% 4%
5%5% 5%
7%7% 7%
5%5% 5%
2%2% 2%
5%5% 5%
1%1% 1%
16%16% 16%
13%13% 13%
14%14% 14%
8 %8 % 8 %
9%9% 9%
12%12% 12%
11%11% 11%
3%3% 3%
12%12% 12%
11%11% 11%
9%9% 9%
6%6% 6%
7%7% 7%
4%4% 4%
9%9% 9%
37%37% 37%
23%23% 23%
20%20% 20%
20%20% 20%
15%15% 15%
13%13% 13%
9%9% 9%
4%4% 4%
3%3% 3%
3%3% 3%
0%1 0%20%30%40%5 0%60%70%80%90%1 00%
A few times…About once…A few times…About once…
A few times…About once…Never
Hiking /
w alking
Mount ain
Biking
Enjoying t he
amenities
(observation...
Dog-w alking
Wil dl ife
Viewing
Access to
Nat ional For est
Lands
Trail r unning
E-biking
Wint er access
to 1 0th
Mountain Hut s
Backcountr y /
cr oss-country
skiing
Dirtbiking or
other motorized
use
Hunting acces s
Educational
pr ograms
Horseback
riding
Smuggler Mountain Open Spac e M anagem ent Plan – 2024 Update
4 / 38
37%
129
12%
43
16%
57
7%
25
19%
65
4%
14
5%
17
350
23%
79
11%
38
13%
46
6%
20
10%
34
2%
8
36%
126
351
20%
64
9%
29
14%
44
10%
33
22%
70
9%
28
17%
54
322
20%
60
6%
17
8%
23
4%
13
12%
38
2%
7
48%
147
305
15%
44
7%
20
9%
28
5%
16
13%
39
4%
12
47%
142
301
13%
41
4%
12
12%
36
7%
23
21%
64
9%
27
35%
109
312
9%
29
9%
27
11%
33
5%
14
9%
29
3%
10
54%
165
307
4%
12
1%
2
1%
3
2%
6
3%
8
3%
8
87%
258
297
3%
9
1%
2
1%
4
2%
6
12%
38
34%
110
47%
150
319
3%
8
1%
3
2%
6
5%
15
16%
50
22%
68
53%
166
316
2%
5
2%
6
3%
8
0%
1
3%
9
4%
12
86%
257
298
1%
3
0%
1
0%
0
1%
3
3%
8
4%
11
91%
275
301
0%
1
1%
2
0%
0
1%
3
5%
15
8%
24
85%
252
297
0%
0
0%
1
1%
2
0%
0
1%
2
1%
4
97%
282
291
#OTHER (PLEASE SPECIFY)DATE
1 North star 7/8/2024 12:20 PM
2 Skiing 7/8/2024 10:19 AM
3 e bikes do not belong on single track ever they are motorcycles 6/24/2024 3:05 PM
A FEW
TIMES A
WEEK
ABOUT
ONCE A
WEEK
A FEW
TIMES A
MONTH
ABOUT
ONCE A
MONTH
A FEW
TIMES
PER YEAR
ABOUT
ONCE
PER YEAR
NEVER TOTAL
Hiking / walk ing
Mountain Biking
Enjoying the amenities
(observat ion platform,
pic nic tables, etc.)
Dog-walking
Wildlife Viewing
Ac c ess to National Forest
Lands
Trail running
E-biking
Winter access to 10th
Mountain Huts
Backcountry / cross-
c ountry skiing
Dirt bik ing or other
motoriz ed us e
Hunting ac c ess
Educ ational programs
Horseback riding
Smuggler Mountain Open Spac e M anagem ent Plan – 2024 Update
5 / 38
40%152
30%114
28%107
1%3
1%2
0%1
Q3 How do you typically travel to Smuggler Mountain Open Space?
Answered: 379 Sk ipped: 1
TOTAL 379
40%40% 40%
30%30% 30%
28%28% 28%
1%1% 1%
1%1% 1%
0%0% 0%
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%1 00%
Car
Bike
Walk/Run
Bus
I don't visit
Smuggler
Mountain Ope...
Hotel shuttl e
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Car
Bike
Walk /Run
Bus
I don't visit Smuggler Mountain Open Space
Hotel s huttle
Smuggler Mountain Open Spac e M anagem ent Plan – 2024 Update
6 / 38
Q4 Please rate your experience during your typical visit to Smuggler
Mountain Open Space.
Answered: 322 Sk ipped: 58
0%
1
2%
8
12%
40
36%
115
49%
158
322
4.31
4
average rating
POOR (NO LABEL)(NO LABEL)(NO LABEL)EXCELLENT TOTAL WEIGHTED AVERAGE
S
Smuggler Mountain Open Spac e M anagem ent Plan – 2024 Update
7 / 38
Q5 Please indicate the importance of the following attributes of Smuggler
Mountain Open Space to you.
Answered: 322 Sk ipped: 58
Import ance
73%
232
22%
69
5%
16
0%
1
0%
0
0%
1
319
67%
213
19%
61
10%
31
3%
10
0%
0
1%
2
317
59%
183
27%
83
10%
31
3%
9
1%
4
1%
2
312
23%
70
24%
75
32%
99
17%
54
2%
7
2%
5
310
5%
15
7%
22
22%
68
60%
185
5%
14
2%
5
309
Importance
2%2% 2%
5%5% 5%
3%3% 3%
3%3% 3%
17%17% 17%
60%60% 60%
5%5% 5%
10%10% 10%
10%10% 10%
32%32% 32%
22%22% 22%
22%22% 22%
19%19% 19%
27%27% 27%
24%24% 24%
7%7% 7%
73%73% 73%
67%67% 67%
59%59% 59%
23%23% 23%
5%5% 5%
0%1 0%20%30%40%5 0%60%70%80%90%1 00%
Ve ry import…Important �Somewha t I…Not Import…
I don’t k no…N/A
Beauty /
scenic views
Recr eatio n
Opportunities
Ecol ogy,
wildlife
habitat and...
Cul ture,
history and
character
At tract and
suppor t to ur ism
VERY
IMPORTANT
�
IMPORTANT
�
SOMEWHAT
IMPORTANT �
NOT
IMPORTANT
�
I DON’T KNOW, I
HAVEN’T THOUGHT
ABOUT IT
N/A TOTAL
Beauty / s cenic v iews
Recreation
Opportunities
Ecology, wildlife habitat
and natural resources
Culture, history and
character
Attrac t and s upport
tourism
Smuggler Mountain Open Spac e M anagem ent Plan – 2024 Update
8 / 38
Q6 Please rate your satisfaction with the quality and condition of each of
the following.
Answered: 322 Sk ipped: 58
3%3% 3%
7%7% 7%
3%3% 3%
22%22% 22%
20%20% 20%
16%16% 16%
36%36% 36%
27%27% 27%
3%3% 3%
2%2% 2%
2%2% 2%
6%6% 6%
4%4% 4%
9%9% 9%
3%3% 3%
5%5% 5%
3%3% 3%
4%4% 4%
13%13% 13%
6%6% 6%
15%15% 15%
11%11% 11%
12%12% 12%
14%14% 14%
20%20% 20%
19%19% 19%
20%20% 20%
29%29% 29%
26%26% 26%
26%26% 26%
18%18% 18%
45%45% 45%
47%47% 47%
42%42% 42%
43%43% 43%
46%46% 46%
37%37% 37%
29%29% 29%
31%31% 31%
20%20% 20%
25%25% 25%
39%39% 39%
33%33% 33%
33%33% 33%
27%27% 27%
26%26% 26%
19%19% 19%
18 %18 % 18 %
12%12% 12%
10%10% 10%
9%9% 9%
0%1 0%20%30%40%5 0%60%70%80%90%1 00%
Ve ry Satisfi…Satisfied Neutral Dissatisfied
Ve ry Dissa t…Don't Use
Tr ail heads /
Informational
kiosks
Level of t r ail
difficult y
Tr ail type and
var iet y
Inter pr etive
signs /
historical...
Signage and
w ayfinding
Cr eek access
Accessibil ity
and inclusivity
Parking ar eas
Water-fil ling
station / bike
tools (at Pa...
Dog-waste
stations/recept
acles
Smuggler Mountain Open Spac e M anagem ent Plan – 2024 Update
9 / 38
39%
126
45%
144
11%
36
2%
5
0%
1
3%
9
321
33%
106
47%
152
12%
38
4%
14
3%
11
0%
0
321
33%
104
42%
135
14%
45
9%
29
2%
6
0%
0
319
27%
85
43%
138
20%
63
3%
10
0%
0
7%
22
318
26%
84
46%
147
19%
61
5%
16
0%
1
3%
9
318
19%
60
37%
118
20%
64
3%
8
0%
0
22%
69
319
18%
58
29%
91
29%
90
4%
12
0%
1
20%
63
315
12%
39
31%
98
26%
85
13%
42
2%
6
16%
51
321
10%
31
20%
64
26%
84
6%
20
1%
3
36%
115
317
9%
30
25%
80
18%
59
15%
47
6%
18
27%
85
319
#OTHER (PLEASE SPECIFY)DATE
1 senior parking is not in Fores t. Let's get the s heriffs up t here.7/26/2024 2:07 AM
2 I use snigger as a scenic Jeep road during off peak hiking, I don’t want to los e that us e 7/23/2024 11:25 AM
3 As far as the ADA upper lot ac c ess, there is a permitt ed use by hunters. So, s eniors, ADA, &
hunters . Does n't s eem quite right.
7/23/2024 10:25 AM
4 Could be more along the way including one at the sign by BTS 7/22/2024 11:52 AM
5 More enf orc ement of bags of shite left on road.7/19/2024 3:43 PM
6 More water s tations 7/19/2024 1:23 PM
7 Trails lik e midnight rambler s hould be allowed to increase trail variety and difficulty. They are
es pecially valuable in s eparating trail use between hik ers and bik ers .
7/15/2024 1:15 PM
8 Close all park ing but 10th mtn. If they are able enough to hike up from the base of Smuggler,
then they are able enough to get there without a c ar. 10th Mtn provides acces s f or t hose les s
able (seniors , kids ) to get up to the Hunt er Creek Valley.
7/15/2024 9:49 AM
9 Needs a bike rack at the bottom and more trash cans 7/14/2024 9:19 AM
10 I lov e dogs but people need to clean up their bags and poop more oft en!7/8/2024 3:57 PM
11 Need more rec eptacles on the upper part of the t rail.7/8/2024 11:55 AM
12 would be nice if dog owners would us e the was te st ations ins tead of leaving them on the trail.
Off leash dogs can be scary at times
7/6/2024 4:06 PM
13 Definitely need a porta potty at the park avenue trailhead or a little f urther up 7/1/2024 9:34 AM
14 I would prefer less signage actually. I f eel t he s igns give too many people without proper ability
to be up there
6/30/2024 3:09 PM
15 This is not an ac c essible plac e. That’s ok ay !6/27/2024 7:25 AM
16 Ebikes not allowed on trail, only road.6/26/2024 8:02 AM
VERY
SATISFIED
SATI SFIED NEUTRAL DISSATISFIED VERY
DISSATISFIED
DON'T
USE
TOTAL
Trailheads / Informational
kiosks
Lev el of trail diffic ult y
Trail ty pe and v ariety
Int erpretiv e s igns / his toric al
educat ion
Signage and wayfinding
Creek access
Ac c es sibility and inclus ivity
Parking areas
Wat er-f illing s tation / bike tools
(at Park Circ le)
Dog-wast e
stat ions /receptacles
Smuggler Mountain Open Spac e M anagem ent Plan – 2024 Update
10 / 38
17 People use the lower park ing area for s torage of vehicles, and f or skiing day parking. This c an
make acces s ibility diffic ult.
6/24/2024 3:01 PM
18 The trail maps hav e been out of date for years.6/24/2024 11:18 AM
19 Smuggler needs s ome one-direc tional downhill only type t rails of v ary ing difficulty. A great
place for these would be between Smuggler road and Toots ie roll and between Smuggler road
and Iowa Shaft. There is so muc h potential not being realiz ed in this area!
6/22/2024 10:05 PM
Smuggler Mountain Open Spac e M anagem ent Plan – 2024 Update
11 / 38
59%188
18%59
13%42
8%25
2%7
Q7 Is the current level of event use acceptable?OST has issued a variety
of commercial and special-use (event) permits for Smuggler Mountain
Road and the open space. Permits have included organized hikes, non-
profit trail runs and races, commercial and non-profit bike rides and races
and commercially guided mountain-biking instruction. The Aspen Cycling
Club and Aspen Backcountry Marathon, both non-commercial uses, have
consistently brought the largest annual events to the open space and
adjacent national forest. Educational uses have included history-focused
Aspen Historical Society Jeep ride/trail tours and commercially guided
walking tours.
Answered: 321 Sk ipped: 59
TOTAL 321
#OTHER (PLEASE SPECI FY)DATE
1 Downhill bike event 7/23/2024 11:25 AM
2 Maintain or increase event us e. The proximity of the open spac e to Aspen offers such an 7/23/2024 10:39 AM
59%59% 59%
18 %18 % 18 %
13%13% 13%
8%8% 8%
2%2% 2%
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%1 00%
Maintain
current level
of event use
No pr eference
Decrease event
use
Increase event
use
Ot her (please
specify)
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Maintain current level of ev ent us e
No preferenc e
Dec reas e ev ent us e
Increase event use
Other (pleas e s pecify)
Smuggler Mountain Open Spac e M anagem ent Plan – 2024 Update
12 / 38
access ible way int o wilderness that should be s hared, and nurtured with all. I’v e ex perienced
almost no impac t to my rec reation in these spac es ov er the last 5 years due to current ev ent
usage. It’s a great plac e to be inc lusiv e to tourists and maintain an eas y portal into t he
wildernes s, As pen history and more. As a loc al well versed in t he local topography, there’s
many more places I c an ex plore.
3 Creating new trails off the grav el road 7/10/2024 11:20 PM
4 decrease espec ially bik e us ers , not alway s single f ile & don't alway s s ay where they are 7/6/2024 4:06 PM
5 Allow more c ommercial use/guiding. Override the first service c reating monopolies!6/27/2024 7:25 AM
6 Allow more commerc ial/non-profit permits pleas e.6/26/2024 8:02 AM
7 No c ommercial uses please 6/24/2024 3:01 PM
Smuggler Mountain Open Spac e M anagem ent Plan – 2024 Update
13 / 38
86%263
5%14
7%23
2%7
Q8 Forest HealthPlease rate your level of support for forest health
projects.The forests within and surrounding Smuggler Mountain Open
Space are managed primarily for ecological health, resiliency and
biodiversity. Past forest health projects have included: Oak mastication
Aspen regeneration Mixed conifer patch cuts Mountain pine beetle
treatments Helicopter removal of pine beetle infested trees Lodgepole cuts
Prescribed fire coordination with partner agencies in the Hunter Creek
Valley
Answered: 307 Sk ipped: 73
TOTAL 307
#OTHER (PLEASE SPECI FY)DATE
1 People that v ote hands off are waiting for a catastrophic event 7/23/2024 11:35 AM
2 The Douglas fur beetle is bec oming a huge issue in the As pen area 7/23/2024 7:31 AM
3 Increase fores t health management projects 7/17/2024 7:13 AM
4 STOP POISONING THE ENVIROMENT BY SPRAYING - THIS ENDANGE RS PEOPLE AND
ANIMALS TOO!
7/16/2024 8:27 AM
5 You completely overlook ed the need for weed mitigation. There is a huge Russian this tle
problem, as well as a mos quito infestation that no one has done anyt hing about for years.
7/12/2024 10:07 PM
6 Do whatev er, not my spec ialty. There’s lots of room for animals so that’s good.6/27/2024 7:30 AM
86%(263)86%(263) 86%(263)
5%(14)5%(14) 5%(14)
7%(23)7%(23) 7%(23)
2%(7)2%(7) 2%(7)
Continue c…Hands-off a…No opinion Othe r (plea…
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Continue c urrent forest health approach with projec ts as needed for habitat div ersity
Hands-off approach with f ewer to no projects
No opinion
Ot her (please s pecify)
Smuggler Mountain Open Spac e M anagem ent Plan – 2024 Update
14 / 38
7 Build more challenging mountain bike trails.6/22/2024 9:19 PM
Smuggler Mountain Open Spac e M anagem ent Plan – 2024 Update
15 / 38
57%176
26%79
11%35
2%5
2%7
2%5
Q9 WildfireThere is interest in reducing wildfire risk to human health and
safety. Would you support increased coordination with other agencies and
fire districts in the implementation of mechanical projects primarily for
wildfire risk reduction. Projects could include: Fuel breaks Fuel reduction
Mechanical vegetation removal
Answered: 307 Sk ipped: 73
TOTAL 307
#OTHER (PLEASE SPECI FY)DATE
1 Anything that does not entail man-made burning 7/15/2024 9:57 AM
2 I don't hav e enough inf ormation or details to answer.6/25/2024 9:39 PM
3 Fire management is important , but need more info on int erplay with maintaining ec ological
health of area.
6/25/2024 5:23 PM
4 I would hate to see a straight cut through the trees to prevent wildfire when a large majorit y of
wildfires are human c aused. Inc rease educ ation on wildfires before tearing up the landscape!
6/25/2024 4:08 PM
5 I would need more info on eac h plan.6/25/2024 8:23 AM
57%(176)57%(176) 57%(176)26%(79)26%(79) 26%(79)
11%(35)11%(35) 11%(35)
2%(5)2%(5) 2%(5)
2%(7)2%(7) 2%(7)
2%(5)2%(5) 2%(5)
Strongly su…Some what …Neutral Somewhat …
Strongly op…Other (ple a…
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Strongly support
Somewhat s upport
Neutral
Somewhat oppose
Strongly oppose
Other (pleas e s pecify)
Smuggler Mountain Open Spac e M anagem ent Plan – 2024 Update
16 / 38
51%158
10%30
9%29
29%90
Q10 In addition to, or in lieu of, mechanical treatments, would you support
prescribed fire in the Smuggler Mountain area?
Answered: 307 Sk ipped: 73
TOTAL 307
51%(158 )51%(158 ) 51%(158 )
10%(30)10%(30) 10%(30)
9%(29)9%(29) 9%(29)
29%(90)29%(90) 29%(90)
Ye s No Ma ybe I would nee…
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Yes
No
Maybe
I would need more information
Smuggler Mountain Open Spac e M anagem ent Plan – 2024 Update
17 / 38
Q11 RecreationPlease indicate your level of support for the following:
Answered: 306 Sk ipped: 74
1%1% 1%
4%4% 4%
5%5% 5%
4%4% 4%
12%12% 12%
7%7% 7%
12%12% 12%
12%12% 12%
4%4% 4%
10%10% 10%
7%7% 7%
34%34% 34%
44%44% 44%
6%6% 6%
6%6% 6%
10%10% 10%
6%6% 6%
12%12% 12%
9%9% 9%
5%5% 5%
9%9% 9%
8%8% 8%
13%13% 13%
17%17% 17%
11%11% 11%
16%16% 16%
18 %18 % 18 %
14%14% 14%
22%22% 22%
24%24% 24%
26%26% 26%
34%34% 34%
41%41% 41%
32%32% 32%
35%35% 35%
31%31% 31%
15%15% 15%
14%14% 14%
18 %18 % 18 %
19%19% 19%
25%25% 25%
13%13% 13%
27%27% 27%
15%15% 15%
18%18 % 18 %
25%25% 25%
26%26% 26%
31%31% 31%
7%7% 7%
12%12% 12%
72%72% 72%
59%59% 59%
51%51% 51%
50%50% 50%
43%43% 43%
36%36% 36%
36%36% 36%
27%27% 27%
25%25% 25%
23%23% 23%
20%20% 20%
14%14% 14%
12%12% 12%
0%1 0%20%30%40%5 0%60%70%80%90%1 00%
Strongly Su…Somewhat …Neutral Somewhat …
Strongly Op…
Single-track
trail
maintenance
A singl e-track
tr ail
connection f...
New , advanced
tr ail s
Smuggler
Mountain Road
maintenance...
Maint ain
off-l eash dog
policy
Restroom near
the Smuggler
Trailhead
New, beginner
trails
Recl amation of
unsigned /
user -cr eated...
Tr ail access /
impr ovements
for per sons...
Benches / r est
st ops along
Smuggler...
Par king
impr ovements
No new t r ail s
Expanded
e-bikes routes
Smuggler Mountain Open Spac e M anagem ent Plan – 2024 Update
18 / 38
72%
221
14%
44
11%
33
1%
4
1%
4
306
59%
179
18%
55
16%
50
3%
10
4%
11
305
51%
154
19%
58
18%
55
6%
19
5%
16
302
50%
153
25%
77
14%
44
6%
18
4%
13
305
43%
132
13%
39
22%
68
10%
29
12%
37
305
36%
111
27%
83
24%
73
6%
18
7%
21
306
36%
107
15%
45
26%
78
12%
36
12%
35
301
27%
82
18%
55
34%
103
9%
26
12%
35
301
25%
74
25%
76
41%
124
5%
15
4%
13
302
23%
71
26%
79
32%
97
9%
27
10%
32
306
20%
61
31%
95
35%
106
8%
23
7%
20
305
14%
39
7%
21
31%
90
13%
38
34%
99
287
12%
37
12%
35
15%
46
17%
51
44%
134
303
#OTHER IDEAS FOR CONSIDERATI ON.DATE
1 A trail connec ting Verena Mallory Trail to s omewhere near Smuggler Viewing dec k. Thus
creating a bigger loop, acc es s to the parking and mak ing it an eas ier transition back to
Smuggler rather than the steep/roc k y Hunter Creek Cutoff coming from Hunter Creek.
7/23/2024 1:41 PM
2 Historically there was paragliding launc h ac cessible from Smuggler up unt il the the landing
area bec ame dev eloped. (1990’s )
7/23/2024 11:35 AM
3 Definit ely need t o add s ingle track bik e t rail from town to platform and als o upper hunter c reek
bridge
7/22/2024 6:12 PM
4 E-bike usage with s afety rules; on-leash dogs only given it’s crowded and dangerous when a
dog pass es y ou on a bik e
7/19/2024 4:55 PM
5 e bik es s hould not be allowed on single trac k 7/17/2024 10:58 AM
6 Trails lik e midnight rambler should be allowed as it increases trail div ersity and diffic ulty and
helps to separate hikers and bikers.
7/15/2024 1:19 PM
7 Reclamation of unsigned and and us er created routes is most important to me barring any
other is s ue
7/15/2024 12:13 PM
8 Program for clearing loose roc k s on Smuggler Mtn Road in t rouble areas s uch as up near t he
powerline pole, mak es biking dangerous
7/15/2024 9:57 AM
9 no e bikes!7/14/2024 8:11 AM
10 Taking the bus t o the trailhead 7/11/2024 7:25 AM
STRONGLY
SUPPORT
SOMEWHAT
SUPPORT
NEUTRAL SOMEWHAT
OPPOSE
STRONGLY
OPPOSE
TOTAL
Single-track trail maintenanc e
A s ingle-track trail connec tion from t own to
the upper trails (ak a "port al" trail)
New, advanc ed trails
Smuggler Mountain Road maintenance
(firs t 2 miles )
Maintain off -leash dog policy
Restroom near the Smuggler Trailhead
New, beginner trails
Reclamation of unsigned / user-c reated
routes
Trail ac c ess / improvement s for pers ons
with disabilities
Benc hes / rest stops along Smuggler
Mountain Road
Park ing improvements
No new trails
Expanded e-bikes routes
Smuggler Mountain Open Spac e M anagem ent Plan – 2024 Update
19 / 38
11 Inc reas e education and enf orc ement of off leash dog problems and dog poop left on ground.
Create tangible penalties and perform enforcement.
7/10/2024 8:53 AM
12 I wish people would READ the signs 7/6/2024 4:09 PM
13 E-bike Mountain Bik ing Trail for Clas s 1 e-bik es 7/1/2024 10:19 AM
14 Would lov e to s ee a s ingle trac k route from upper hunter c reek all the way to town!7/1/2024 9:56 AM
15 I disagree with allo wing e-bikes anywhere. It is dangerous not only becaus e of speed but
enc ourages people who don’t have experienc e or k now t he rules to go out for an adv enture.
6/30/2024 3:13 PM
16 Let's not enc ourage ebik e use on more trails .6/27/2024 8:52 AM
17 E-bikes need a plac e to ride otherwise they will ride everywhere. They need t o be managed
ins tead of ignored.
6/27/2024 7:30 AM
18 Get t he dogs off 6/26/2024 1:21 PM
19 Area is not appropriate f or beginner trails.6/26/2024 11:59 AM
20 More parking for normal people at the Upper HC TH 6/26/2024 11:10 AM
21 Adopt us er creat ed trails into the network 6/26/2024 10:42 AM
22 separat ion on bik e trails and walk ing trails - please no new trails - more trails = more people =
less peace and serrenity
6/26/2024 9:50 AM
23 Bring back the more direct hiking trail that was tak en away when t he flow trails were made. I e
sunny s ide on the hunter c reek side s nd Iowa s haft trsils
6/25/2024 7:33 AM
24 ban e bik es 6/24/2024 3:07 PM
25 No overnight park ing or s ome kind of parking enforcement, for the spac es that are along Park
Av enue
6/24/2024 3:07 PM
26 Restric ting e bike use 6/24/2024 12:43 PM
27 We should not open up trails to mec haniz ed travel like Ebikes, mak ing access too easy will
create problems with ov erus e and the lands will lose t heir magic.
6/24/2024 11:26 AM
28 Relocate any moose or bears or other dangerous mammals which may be on the mountain 6/23/2024 8:55 PM
29 Would like to s ee more s ignage on pre-European settlement (ie Ute).6/22/2024 10:12 PM
30 Grandfather exis ting well built and maintained trails instead of us ing tax -pay er dollars to close
them.
6/22/2024 7:22 PM
31 Dogs need to be leas hed. They are nev er on voice c ommand 6/20/2024 2:29 PM
Smuggler Mountain Open Spac e M anagem ent Plan – 2024 Update
20 / 38
Q12 Signage, Wayfinding and EducationPlease indicate your level of
support for the following:
Answered: 304 Sk ipped: 76
25%
75
31%
94
37%
111
5%
14
3%
9
303
25%
75
22%
67
40%
122
5%
15
8%
23
302
22%
66
28%
84
43%
130
4%
12
3%
10
302
18%
55
31%
93
45%
135
3%
9
3%
10
302
11%
33
21%
63
40%
121
15%
46
13%
40
303
#OTHER I DEAS FOR CONSIDERATION.DATE
1 As long as it doesn’t bring in more touris t 7/19/2024 4:55 PM
2 A lot of other c ommunities have simple us eful s ignage , muc h bett er t han we do. Look at what
ot her communities do.
7/15/2024 9:57 AM
3 Leav e it alone 7/14/2024 9:22 AM
4 s ignage messes up the ex perience 7/14/2024 8:11 AM
5 keep it natural 7/8/2024 7:46 AM
6 make it a MTB mecca! Aspen should have world class trails to go with work class skiing 6/26/2024 3:28 PM
8%8% 8%
3%3% 3%
13%13% 13%
5%5% 5%
5%5% 5%
4%4% 4%
15%15% 15%
37%37% 37%
40%40% 40%
43%43% 43%
45%45% 45%
40%40% 40%
31%31% 31%
22%22% 22%
28%28% 28%
31%31% 31%
21%21% 21%
25%25% 25%
25%25% 25%
22%22% 22%
18 %18 % 18 %
11%11% 11%
0%1 0%20%30%40%5 0%60%70%80%90%1 00%
Strongly Su…Somewhat …Neutral Somewhat …
Strongly Op…
Updat ed
wayfinding
signage
Bil ingual
signage
Updated
interpretive
and educatio...
Educational
pr ogr ams
Interactive/dig
ital history
information
STRONGLY
SUPPORT
SOMEWHAT
SUPPORT
NEUTRAL SOMEWHAT
OPPOSE
STRONGLY
OPPOSE
TOTAL
Updat ed wayfinding signage
Bilingual signage
Updated interpretive and
educational signage
Educ ational programs
I nterac tiv e/digital hist ory
information
Smuggler Mountain Open Spac e M anagem ent Plan – 2024 Update
21 / 38
7 Signage is great 6/22/2024 9:19 PM
Smuggler Mountain Open Spac e M anagem ent Plan – 2024 Update
22 / 38
Q13 Please provide any additional thoughts or details about things that
work well or things that could be improved and/or tell us what you would
like to see in the near and long-term for Smuggler Mountain Open Space:
Answered: 90 Sk ipped: 290
#RESPONSES DATE
1 Add/enhance parking c an we get t his in y our parking lot patrolled s o that we don't hav e
people parking there without handic ap or senior permits ?
7/26/2024 2:10 AM
2 Addres s motorized use Address safety It feels v ery uns afe when dirt bik es are on the
smuggler road toward the observat ion dec k . Too many riders are irres ponsible, fast and
thoughtless towards hikers. I avoid brining my c hildren due to the danger c aused by these
bikes.
7/24/2024 9:44 PM
3 Maintain s tatus quo It’s v ery disappointing to see the country t ake open space and put s o
many rules and regulations into plac e. I understand that As pen has been inundated with more
people in the pas t few y ears , but there are t oo many things that get ripped away from locals to
improv e outsider experiences. Very disappointed with how the c ountry has handled a lot of
different “open s paces” whic h end up cat ering to only one or two groups of people, typic ally
ones with more financial backing.
7/23/2024 9:43 PM
4 Addres s dog wast e I lov e hiking this trail. It seems lik e those with dogs c hoose to just leave
their dog poop bags wherev er they please on the trail “planning to pick up on the way out,” but
never do. This is harmful f or t he environment and it’s dis gus ting. Maybe more trash
recept acles on the trail to prevent this ? Tick eting thos e who leave tras h behind? It det ers me
from wanting to hike when so many poop bags are on t he trail.
7/23/2024 9:30 PM
5 Thank y ou to everyone for your work !7/23/2024 2:57 PM
6 Add town ac c ess/portal trail A trail c onnecting Verena Mallory Trail (Lower Hunter Creek ) to
somewhere near Smuggler Viewing deck. Thus creating a bigger loop, access t o the parking
and mak ing it an easier transition back to Smuggler rather than the s teep/rocky Hunter Creek
Cutoff c oming from Hunter Creek.
7/23/2024 1:41 PM
7 Add/Enhanc e s ignage I would lik e to s ee a interpret ive sign at the locat ion of the old
paragliding launc h s ite.
7/23/2024 11:35 AM
8 Add trails/rec reation In reference to trail building in the area. As this continues to see more
and more tourist traffic (for good reason) it’s important to understand that the loc al community
recreat ion should be k ept in mind as well. As t rails expand, expand on the variety of trails
available in this area that c ould offer a before/after work recreation opportunity for local
mountain bikers or hikers. In my eyes as a mountain biker, the area near Van Horn park and
hobbit trail hav e a lot of potential for additional mountain bik e trails . However this may come
with a need for additional parking at the upper HC lot and prove a high cost for limited gain
7/23/2024 10:50 AM
9 No e-bike trails Complete ban on e-bik es 7/23/2024 7:31 AM
10 Add/Enhanc e s ignage Maybe signage at the bottoms warning touris t that want to driv e up
there es pecially in the winter, what they’re in for.
7/23/2024 7:31 AM
11 No e-bike trails No ebicycles on Smuggler Acces s Road 7/23/2024 7:25 AM
12 Restric t dogs of f-leash Leashed dogs only, no more than 2 dogs per person. Hopefully this
also reduces the f ecal amount that is not c arried out too. It’s disgusting on all the trails .
Please.
7/23/2024 5:45 AM
13 Add e-bike trails E-bik es are everywhere and should be allowed on all s ingle track 7/22/2024 6:39 PM
14 Add town ac c ess/portal trail Please add a s ingle trac k bike trail from town to the platform and
also to hunter creek bridge area. Bikers would prefer this ov er riding up and down smuggler
road or red mount ain road.
7/22/2024 6:12 PM
Smuggler Mountain Open Spac e M anagem ent Plan – 2024 Update
23 / 38
15 Addres s dog wast e Res tric t dogs off-leas h Dogs off leash and jumping on me and the bags
of s hite are the only things t hat bother me.
7/19/2024 3:45 PM
16 Add town ac c ess/portal trail The mos t valuable addition to the syst em is a bike trail from
t own to the observation dec k so it’s not jus t the smuggler road or red mountain rd.
7/19/2024 3:34 PM
17 Na 7/19/2024 2:08 PM
18 Add water st ation More water stations 7/19/2024 1:25 PM
19 Add town ac c ess/portal trail There needs to be a way from the HC Valley floor bac k to town
that isn’t pavement (Red Mt Rd) Single track, mountain bike ride, does n’t have to be banked
turns & jumps (c ould be t hough) Def initely direct ional & mt bike only. Hikers have the HC Trail
along the creek already.
7/18/2024 2:14 PM
20 Add restroom Addres s dog was te Doing well: Appropriate amount of railing and signage to
the extent it still feels lik e nature. Good job on fores t management ; keep on top of beet les.
Consider: How to keep dog poop of f the trail (but it’s look ing a lot better). Only add bathroom if
you have staff to maintain it well.
7/17/2024 7:13 AM
21 Maintain s tatus quo No weed spraying Just let it be - it doesn't need more attraction.
Please st op s pray ing toxic subs tanc es on the environment - there are better ways to "manage
weeds ". This practice should be banned as it is tox ic to the environment , wildlife, pets and
people.
7/16/2024 8:27 AM
22 Addres s dog wast e I know emptying trash rec eptables higher on the mountain is more
burdens ome, but a couple higher up would encourage people to clean their dogs' waste s o they
don't have to carry it t he entire way up and down if already past a receptacle.
7/15/2024 4:52 PM
23 No e-bike trails Keep E-bikers out of hunter c reek .7/15/2024 1:19 PM
24 Addres s/reclaim unauthorized routes Rec lamation of uns igned and and user c reated routes is
most important to me barring any other issue
7/15/2024 12:13 PM
25 Maintain s tatus quo Making Smuggler into anot her Disney for t ourists will ruin the place for
t housands of year round residents . Let t hem pay Aspen Skiing Co for ac tiv ities on ASC's four
mountains.
7/15/2024 9:57 AM
26 Add/enhance parking Pleas e add a full park ing lot in the upper Red Mountain area of
Smuggler for every one. There is plent y of space f or it. This would be helpful for groups
meeting for outdoor educ ation, picnic s , etc . This would be beneficial to the c ommunity.
7/15/2024 9:43 AM
27 No new park ing While the parking is a c hallenge, I think that helps to force people to us e
alternativ es to get to the trailheads whic h is good.
7/15/2024 9:37 AM
28 Add bike racks Needs bike rac k at the bott om for hikers.7/14/2024 9:22 AM
29 No e-bike trails No s ignage no e bikes! no signage!7/14/2024 8:11 AM
30 Add/enhance parking Address trail maintenanc e Ex pand off-leash areas I s upport easing
of the strict leash laws in Hunter Creek Valley. I would prefer having a polic y of y our dog under
v oice control. The rock s and erosion on the Hunter Creek Valley trail past t he bridge by the
Vera Mallory trail junc tion s hould be addressed. It’s nearly impossible to hav e a dog on leas h
while navigating that roc k y s ec tion. The Hunter Creek parking area on Red Mount ain is
unat tractiv e and a hassle to park there. It deters me from using the trail.
7/14/2024 6:33 AM
31 Addres s dog wast e More dog poop tras h cans 7/14/2024 5:58 AM
32 Add town ac c ess/portal trail Would lov e to be able to ride up without hav ing to do Smuggler
Rd., pick ing through the spread out foot users with earbuds and oblivious of their off-leash
dog's activ ity.
7/10/2024 8:53 AM
33 Add benches Add bik e racks Add town access /portal trail Add/Enhanc e s ignage Addre
ss trail maintenance A bike rac k at the bottom near park circ le. A s ingle track c limbing and
des c ending rout e up Smuggler. Fix s ignage and better maps. Trail maintenanc e. Bench half
way up Smuggler.
7/9/2024 11:02 AM
34 Add town ac c ess/portal trail A NEW single trac k from top of Smuggler t o bottom trailhead for
bik ers . This is important to keep bikes off Smuggler on the way down. Safer!
7/9/2024 7:20 AM
Smuggler Mountain Open Spac e M anagem ent Plan – 2024 Update
24 / 38
35 Add water st ation Address dog waste acces s to drinking water at the observat ion dec k /
trash can for dog poop at the top s o people don’t leav e it
7/8/2024 3:37 PM
36 Addres s dog wast e There s hould be more trash bins for dog was te to enc ourage people to
pick up after their dogs .
7/8/2024 3:29 PM
37 They 7/8/2024 3:14 PM
38 Add beginner/intermediate trails We need the mis s ing middle for mountain bike t rails .
Downhill "green" and "green-blue" trails don't ex ist in this v alley and are sorely needed to
increase acces s ibility to newcomers to the sport. We do not need more ex pert level trails y et
that is all RFMBA wants to focus on.
7/8/2024 2:49 PM
39 Addres s dog wast e Need t o empty and improve the dog waste receptacles. This spring it
was not t ouched for months
7/8/2024 2:15 PM
40 Maintain s tatus quo Restrict us e to c urrent levels Smuggler is a t reas ure. Less is more —
keeping the s pac e as natural as poss ible and managing the crowds to a reas onable level (at or
below c urrent levels in the summer) are highest priorities.
7/8/2024 12:36 PM
41 Maintain s tatus quo Leav e it alone. Its meant to be wild and unspoiled 7/8/2024 12:35 PM
42 It’s a wonderful space!7/8/2024 9:16 AM
43 Add/Enhanc e s ignage Short & to the point signage 7/6/2024 4:09 PM
44 Add/Enhanc e s ignage The s ignage needs to be improved ! When hik ing Tootsie pop or
Lollipop there needs to be more signs lik e you are here. Lik e y ou do at the top of smuggler.
When hik ing, s ometimes I feel lik e I am going to get lost and don’t want t o c ontinue exploring
new trails for that reas on.
7/3/2024 6:57 AM
45 Add advanced t rails The people want new adv anced trails. Advanc ed trails are jus as
important to maintaining a c ommunity as beginner trails.
7/2/2024 2:12 PM
46 Add e-bike trails Pos s ibly an ebike linkage f rom smuggler road to 4 c orners road.7/2/2024 6:37 AM
47 Addres s dog wast e Res tric t dogs off-leas h Keep t he dogs on leash and remind owner to
pick up dog poop. More fines .
7/1/2024 7:06 PM
48 Keep unaut horized routes I would lik e to see all of the new mtb trails stay ! This town needs
divers ity of trails. Too many bas ic trails and nothing challenging and the trails that are actually
fun get c losed down by people who don’t have the skills to ride the t rails .
7/1/2024 5:20 PM
49 Addres s human/wildlife interactions The question about wildlife s hould be separated. Wildlife
plant s and wildlife habitats should be two s eparate ques tions. I think s omeone s hould always
be on Smuggler to make sure the animals and humans do not come in contact .
7/1/2024 5:11 PM
50 Add/Enhanc e s ignage Address saf ety Signage might addres s t rail etiquette- Be aware &
share! Phones , mus ic, dog c ontrol etc
7/1/2024 3:02 PM
51 Add town ac c ess/portal trail Would lov e to see a s ingle track route from upper hunter c reek
all the way to town!
7/1/2024 9:56 AM
52 Add town ac c ess/portal trail Climbing t he road at s muggler trailhead is not fun. Please mak e
a connec tor from town. Also park ing is very limited at s muggler trailhead so a c onnector from
town would help this iss ue.
7/1/2024 9:43 AM
53 Add/enhance parking More spaces in the senior/handicapped parking and more policing in
that area
7/1/2024 9:42 AM
54 Add town ac c ess/portal trail Keep up the great work! Bikeable s ingletrac k to/from town would
spread out park ing and avoid the pavement s ection that's s uc h a bummer t o end on. MTB-only
trails would be nice as things get bus ier with tourist f oot traffic .
7/1/2024 8:29 AM
55 Add/enhance parking Don't mak e the smuggler mountain road trailhead parking much
bigger.... Just do more with the ex isting spac e (pave, s lot, remov e c urb). There is enough
space, but without painted lines c ars will park ineffic ient ly which hurts parking ex perience
during peak hours .
6/29/2024 2:41 PM
56 Addres s dog wast e More work to get people to pic k up poop 6/29/2024 10:03 AM
Smuggler Mountain Open Spac e M anagem ent Plan – 2024 Update
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57 Add bike racks Bike rac k s at all open s pace park ing lots. Aren’t we trying to reduce c ar use?6/28/2024 9:21 AM
58 Addres s dog wast e Patrol more for dog poop violations 6/27/2024 10:55 PM
59 Maintain s tatus quo Smuggler has long been As pen's playground for thos e that liv e here,
don't make it an amus ement park with too much for too many.
6/27/2024 9:29 PM
60 Maintain s tatus quo SMOS functions very well as is and that is becaus e of the minimal
recreational development of the area. Yes, s ome things need to be updated/ maintained, but
the great thing about smuggler is that is doesn’t feel like a managed area and has the old
sc hool vibes that Aspen and Pitk in County should v alue for its loc al users. Attrac ting more
touris m activ ity to the area will only be a detriment in the long term.
6/27/2024 8:23 AM
61 Add trails/rec reation Embrac e recreation as an attraction and therefore revenue s tream for
the town. Partic ularly mount ain bik ing. This trail network is incredible and any ex pansion and
allowanc e of guiding should be c onsidered heathy growt h for Smuggler and WRNF.
6/27/2024 7:30 AM
62 Addres s s afety Sec urity phones and patrols 6/27/2024 3:42 AM
63 Add trails/rec reation Keep unauthoriz ed routes There has been a his tory of “bandit” trails on
smuggler, potentially allow this to be the s pace for this and prev ent it from happening in other
areas . It’s also an area where there is advanced trails that are not machine build flow trails.
Keep It that way! More diversity in the type of trails within the Open Space network is needed.
6/26/2024 6:05 PM
64 Add town ac c ess/portal trail Add/Enhance signage Address dog waste Keep the trails
rocky - don't make them all flow trails. A s ingle track up inst ead of Smugler rd would be
awesome. Iowa Shaft trail needs more signs. Make people pack our t heir dog s hit instead of
them leav ing it in the middle of the trails to 'pick up later'
6/26/2024 5:53 PM
65 Add town ac c ess/portal trail a rideable, hik eable, run-able s ingle track trail to eliminate the
need for us ing Smuggler Rd up t o the observation dec k /upper Smuggler trails is long overdue
and essential for a top rate rec reational experience.
6/26/2024 4:14 PM
66 Add town ac c ess/portal trail Portal trail s hould be priority!6/26/2024 11:43 AM
67 Add advanced t rails Add e-bik e t rails More advanced trails and allow ebikes everywhere 6/26/2024 10:59 AM
68 Add trails/rec reation Keep unauthoriz ed routes No e-bike trails Hello, as a mountain biker
I would lov e to see more advanc ed trails in this area. I know y ou rec ently c losed a small pirate
trail and was upset at the language used regarding policy of not integrat ing pirate trails into the
syst em at s ome point . The most progressive mountain bike trail system in this c ountry st arted
t his way and / or were made better by doing this. I understand the trail t hat was c losed may
not be the best c andidate for this but in principal I believe you can only improv e y our trail
s y s tem by int egrating the more adv anced rider c ommunity. They would not be building trails
lik e this if t hey already existed. I do st rongly support more advanced t rails as there really are
none in this v alley. At least in comparison to what most would c ons ider a black / double blac k
trail. I think s eeking s upport from RFMB and als o local riders would be key for building more
adv anced trail. Regarding E-Bikes I do not s upport them in this are at t he c urrent inf ras truct ure
level. Some of these t rails can be quite hard to reach whic h pres erves them as they see little
maintenanc e. RFMBA trail agent s and the occas ional s easonal team do a lot of good work out
there but t here are not many of us. In order to allow ebikes I would like to see more trail
created and a stronger maintenanc e plan. I als o worry about emergenc y s ervices. An ebike
would allow a great many people to rent from town and acces s very remote trails in the hunter
creek / smuggler area. There can be limited c ell servic e and I'd like to see more education
regarding this .
6/26/2024 10:51 AM
69 Add advanced t rails Add trails/recreation Ex pand network of mountain bik e t rails with new
t rails of advanced diffic ulty
6/26/2024 10:48 AM
70 Add trails/rec reation Keep unauthoriz ed routes I v ery strongly support the development of
one or more alternate, primarily des c ending mountain bike trails either from the Hunter Creek
and/or an east ern route. The addition of Hummingbird and Upper Plunge in recent y ears has
been great and I would s upport more t rails . Dec ades ago, t he bandit addition of the Secret &
Hobbit Trail were tremendous additions to our trail network . Super happy t hese trails have been
improved, legitimized and maintained.
6/26/2024 10:45 AM
71 No e-bike trails I don't think we need to c reate more us age of this area. I don't think we need
t o attrac t more visitors or mak e this area a dest ination for mountain biking or e-bike riding. This
is s uch a beautiful plac e c lose to town that hikers as well as bikers c an enjoy. With t he c urrent
6/26/2024 9:50 AM
Smuggler Mountain Open Spac e M anagem ent Plan – 2024 Update
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trail c onfigurat ion, it work s for both act ivities. It sounds to me that the focus will be on creating
more opportunities for bikers - once that happens hikers will no longer be able to enjoy the
trails. And onc e e-bikers are allowed on t railers soon it will be jus tified to hav e motor bik es. I t
seems there is money to be spent - but I would s ay s pend it on preservation not on c reating
more recreat ional opportunities. The Rio Grande t rail (and to some degree East Aspen Trail) is
now ruined for walk ers bec ause of all the e-bik ers and bik ers .
72 Addres s dog wast e Dog poop continues to be a problem. Fak e c ameras? Paired with
humorous signage? More enforcement? More trash collect ion points ? Also suggest better
signage dis c ouraging div ing up jus t for the views . Many who do it don’t k now the diffic ult y.
6/25/2024 10:48 PM
73 Add restroom Add/enhance park ing Expand off-leash areas Eliminate dogs leas h areas .
There's no reason f or leash rule on lower Hunter trailhead to t he top. Expand the parking at top
Hunter trailhead. Ev en delineat ing that 5 vehicles (not 4) c an fit would be a s mall win. Hav ing
to park at the mid-Hunter lot is s o lame as t he hike to the footbridge isn't very interes ting and
requires crossing the driveways and the road. Bring back the u pper Smuggler park ing spac es
in the winter. Jus t put in a f ew boulders and make it more lev el so no one s lides off. The
bathroom at Smuggler is the best idea ever. Ones lik e those in Rio Grande park would be ideal.
It would be nice to do a little upgrade to the Robbie Wade pic nic area, out of remembrance and
respec t.
6/25/2024 9:39 PM
74 No e-bike trails Motoriz ed us e, included ebikes , is not appropriate f or t his area.6/25/2024 5:23 PM
75 Add/enhance parking Expanded ac c ess to t he upper HC park ing lot. There is a greater des ire
to access the Hunter Creek Valley (by ghost town) - (beyond senior ac c ess) those with s mall
children, older dogs , better acces s to four c orners / trails . Its a rare opportunit y to have flat
open spac e with water!
6/25/2024 9:37 AM
76 Bring back the more direct trails as uphill hiking on the Iowa shaf t and sunny si de on the
hunt er creek side.
6/25/2024 7:33 AM
77 Add town ac c ess/portal trail A link c oming down f rom the Hunter Creek Valley t hat does n’t
involv e the super rock y trail and t hen Red Mountain Road would be a nic e way to complete the
system.
6/24/2024 9:06 PM
78 Add advanced t rails Add e-bik e t rails More c hallenging bike trails and allow class 1 ebikes 6/24/2024 8:59 PM
79 Add town ac c ess/portal trail I use Smuggler Mountain Road rec reationally all year. I enjoy
riding my bike and hiking up the road and also use it to acces s the higher elev ation terrain. It
would be great to have another option besides the Hunter Creek trail for des cending as it is
very tec hnical where y ou have to go fas t to be safe which is challenging with the hikers as
well. Above Smuggler Mountain Road has s ome of the bes t single track in t he v alley. The area
is pret ty heav ily -trav eled but manageable, I don't t hink it can handle muc h more us e than it's
c urrent c apacity. PS Hi Carly! (Amy)
6/24/2024 3:45 PM
80 No e-bike trails ban e bikes 6/24/2024 3:07 PM
81 No e-bike trails No motorized use Restrict motorized and e bike use, it great ly impac ts the
enjoyment of all us ers with ex c ess noise and or s peed. Can also caus e safet y issues .
6/24/2024 12:43 PM
82 replac e picnic tables Please for the love of god replac e the pic nic tables abov e the
obs erv ation deck.
6/24/2024 12:04 PM
83 No e-bike trails Enforce ebik e bans 6/24/2024 11:26 AM
84 Addres s dog wast e Maintain off-leash area No e-bike trails I hav e walked t he mining
interpretive loop a few times . It's pret ty tucked away and somewhat confus ing as it isn't an
obv ious loop with information building in any formal way. I think it c ould be rev amped to be a
muc h c ooler int erpretiv e loop. I think dog users need more off leas h areas and am glad
smuggler is an option. I personally am tired of off leash dogs and irrespons ible owners on the
trail but respect having it available as mos t other trails in the v alley are leash-required. The
poop situation is horrendous and I would s upport more public s haming of entitled, forgetful,
disrespec tf ul owners leaving bagged and unbagged shit everywhere. I would lov e a bik e rack at
the base of smuggler, lower hunter c reek , and the blm lot that I frequent. I often ebike to
trailheads from home then go on my adv enture. I'v e s een others do the same and wish we had
a rack. The k iosk maps, signs, and online map resourc es often don't have the s ingle track
trails labeled the s ame or reflec tiv e of what the t rail actually is like. I frequent thos e trails s o I
think I hav e a good ment al map but what is Lollipop vs Iowa Shaf t vs Grand Turk?? It's all a
6/24/2024 11:13 AM
Smuggler Mountain Open Spac e M anagem ent Plan – 2024 Update
27 / 38
mes s and c ould be cleaned up. I s upport improving those trails and formalizing s ome of the
harder steep ones. There is s o muc h potential out there and I s ee a lot of other us ers . The
mountain ebikes are an is sue as people c an ebike up smuggler. Maybe the observ ation deck
needs a bik e rack too. It can even be labeled, no ebikes pass rack. I do not understand the
rat ionale for allowing ebik es on singletrack. If I was doing a majorly epic long ride, sure. But we
aren't making mas s ive xc trails . As s omeone who works in adaptiv e recreation, I'm grossly
of fended by people t ry ing to claim ADA for ebik es . Adaptive bikes with motors , hell yeah.
Random guy with cardiac issues, elderly, asthma, etc . no. Let's not diminish the ex perience of
people with dis abilities . I would support including univers al trail design and building singletrack
with more acces s ibility in mind. I'm no expert in this but I 'm s ure there are s ome badass locals
who are. Benches and shade options would really help the tourists enjoy this trail s ystem
more. This is As pens backyard trail and an easy plac e t o s end touris ts to. I think k eeping
tourism a high priority on t his trail will give relief to other trails in the valley t hat couldn't handle
more us e load.
85 Addres s wildlife conc erns There’s a sign which warns about moose on the mountain. It s ays
dogs mak e moose more aggress ive. What can be done to make the area saf er with less risk of
encountering moose? If dogs attract or provoke moose, perhaps the Smuggler Mountain t rails
need to exclude dogs. I don’t lik e being approached by unleashed dogs there.
6/23/2024 8:55 PM
86 Add trails/rec reation Bik e ac c ess to Midway trail 6/22/2024 10:12 PM
87 Add advanced t rails Add trails/recreation Keep ex ist ing and obv ious uphill ac c ess c orridors
and infrastruc ture. Include steep directional des cending mtb trails to deconflict the parcel. The
footprint is minimal if it’s not another s witchbac k-trail, and lord knows there are enough ‘green
trails’ up there already. There’s a v olunteer army of qualified volunt eer maintenance pers onnel
to maintain t he trails y ou just s hut down. Use them. Stop alienating the community with your
antiquated management ‘plans’ and refus al to hear the c urrent v oice of the actual users.
6/22/2024 7:22 PM
88 Keep natural Keep it as natural and in it s natural spac e as pos s ible 6/22/2024 1:21 PM
89 Addres s dog wast e Res tric t dogs off-leas h Dog poop bags continue to be an issue on
Smugger, I pic k them up and throw them away, and I don't have dog. I prefer dogs on leas hes
as they run down the road and somet imes almost k nock me ov er. Or run into the brush to
chas e wildlife. I lov e dogs but from an environment al st andpoint, they need to be on a leash.
6/22/2024 12:40 PM
90 Add advanced t rails Add town acces s /portal trail More adv anced/expert level bik e trails.
Hand-built trails are preferred. An easier beginner trail c onnect ing the deck to the HC valley. A
biking trail c onnect ion from the HC valley to t he v alley floor. No one wants to blow their hard
earned v ertic al on Red Mt road. The upper half of Smuggler Rd, to the dec k , has become very
loose and roc k y ov er t he past few years. Some improv ement there would be appreciated.
6/20/2024 1:17 PM
Smuggler Mountain Open Spac e M anagem ent Plan – 2024 Update
28 / 38
61%180
11%34
8%24
6%17
4%12
4%11
3%8
2%6
1%4
Q14 Where do you live?
Answered: 296 Sk ipped: 84
TOTAL 296
#OTHER (PLEASE SPECIFY)DATE
1 Former resident, native to Bas alt 7/19/2024 6:48 AM
61%61% 61%
11%11% 11%
8%8% 8%
6%6% 6%
4%4% 4%
4%4% 4%
3%3% 3%
2%2% 2%
1%1% 1%
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%1 00%
Aspen
Basalt / El
Jebel / Wil lits
Carbondale
I ow n a second
home in Pitkin
Count y
Unincor por ated
Pitkin County
Snowmass
V ill age
I am a visitor
Gl enwood
Spr ings
Other (please
specify)
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
As pen
Bas alt / El Jebel / Willits
Carbondale
I own a s ec ond home in Pitkin Count y
Uninc orporated Pitkin County
Snowmas s Village
I am a vis it or
Glenwood Springs
Other (please s pecify)
Smuggler Mountain Open Spac e M anagem ent Plan – 2024 Update
30 / 38
0%0
11%34
26%76
21%63
22%64
20%59
Q15 What is your age?
Answered: 296 Sk ipped: 84
TOTAL 296
11%11% 11%
26%26% 26%
21%21% 21%
22%22% 22%
20%20% 20%
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%1 00%
19 and under
20-30
31-40
41-5 0
51-60
61+
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
19 and under
20-30
31-40
41-50
51-60
61+
APPENDIX B. PARTNER COMMENTS
Glenwood Springs Area Office
0088 Wildlife Way
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
Jeff Davis, Director, Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Parks and Wildlife Commission: Dallas May, Chair ∙ Richard Reading, Vice-Chair ∙ Karen Bailey, Secretary ∙ Jessica Beaulieu
Marie Haskett ∙ Tai Jacober ∙ Jack Murphy ∙ Gabriel Otero ∙ Murphy Robinson ∙ James Jay Tutchton ∙ Eden Vardy
October 29, 2024
RE: Smuggler Mountain Open Space Draft Plan
Colorado Parks and Wildlife appreciates the opportunity to review and
comment on the Smuggler Mountain Open Space Draft Plan.
Based on CPW’s Species Activity Maps (SAM) Smuggler Mountain Open Space
contains portions of Elk Winter Range, Severe Winter Rnage, Mule Deer Summer
Range and a Bear Human Conflict Area.
Based on the locations of the wildife ranges listed above in relation to the
activity being recommended for Sumggler Mountain Open Space, CPW feels
there will be limited to no effects on wildlife in that area depending on the
action item.
CPW supports this Draft Plan for Smuggler Mountain and looks forward to being
cunsulted with any action item that effects wildlife.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife appreciates the opportunity to comment on this
project. If there are any questions or need for additional information don’t
hesitate to contact District Wildlife Manager, Kurtis Tesch at (970) 948-1662.
Sincerely,
Matt Yamashita, Area Wildlife Manager
Cc. Kurtis Tesch, District Wildlife Manager
October 21, 2024
Dear Carly & Pitkin County Open Space and Trails,
Aspen Chamber Resort Association applauds your efforts on the draft management
plan update for Smuggler Mountain Open Space. It is a tremendous body of work and
we are in support of the initiatives outlined in the plan and it aligns nicely with the work
we are working towards with the Aspen Destination Management Plan. We hope to
collaborate with you to further the good work that both of our organizations are working
towards.
Please stay in touch as the plan gets approved and the work begins.
Sincerely,
Eliza Voss
Vice President Destination Marketing
Aspen Chamber Resort Association
Our mission is to create and sustain the best possible mountain
bike trail system and experience in the Roaring Fork Valley.
October 22, 2024
Pitkin County Open Space & Trails
Jessie Young, Planning & Outreach Manager
jessie.young@pitkincounty.com
RFMBA Comments, regarding: Draft 2024 Smuggler Mountain Open Space
Management Plan Update
Jessie,
The Roaring Fork Mountain Bike Association (RFMBA) is a non-profit organization that
has been focused on improving the local trails in our region since 2008. Our mission is to
create and sustain the best possible mountain bike trail system and experience in the
Roaring Fork Valley. We’ve been pleased to partner with both Pitkin County, and City of
Aspen, to implement portions of the original Smuggler Mt. OS Management Plan since
2008, and look forward to growing these partnership efforts, especially for maintenance of
existing trails, in the future.
We greatly appreciate the work that has gone into creating the current draft update to this
plan, and would like to highlight a number of management actions that we believe will be
seen as high value by many of our members, by many others who live in Aspen, and by
those who visit the area for the opportunities available when recreating on Smuggler Mt.
OS and the adjacent White River National Forest.
All of the proposed management actions in the Natural Resources, Recreation, Education
and Outreach, Monitoring and Stewardship, and Maintenance categories are worth
retaining in the final adopted update of the plan. Our greatest interest is to explore the
feasibility of Recreation management actions R1. & R.3, which we hope can be studied in
further detail next year, and if approved, implemented soon after.
R.1 Explore the feasibility of a lower access “portal trail.”
The concept for this trail is further described as serving “to connect mountain bikers on the
Hunter-Smuggler trail network to Aspen, therefore, improving the recreation experience
and reducing bike traffic on Red Mountain Road. Public comment reflects a desire for this
trail.”
This concept trail is the name given to an alignment that was explored prior to 2014. At
the time, the alignment was viewed as not ideal for a multi-use trail open to two-way traffic.
Imagine! The best trails on the planet – right outside your door!
Executive Director
Mike Pritchard
Board of Directors
Jim Neu
Chairman
Todd Fugate
Vice-Chair
Art Burrows
Secretary
Rich Grange
Treasurer
Matt Laufer
Technology Director
Sheryl Bower
Rachel Brenneman
Adam Cornely
Charlie Eckart
Deric Gunshor
Julie Hardman
RFMBA, a Chapter of
the International
Mountain Bicycling
Association, is a
501(c)(3) charitable
organization.
Post Office Box 2635
Aspen, CO, 81612
www.RFMBA.org
RFMBA.org/Ride-Center
Our mission is to create and sustain the best possible mountain
bike trail system and experience in the Roaring Fork Valley.
Imagine! The best trails on the planet – right outside your door!
When considered as an exit access for mountain bikers descending from the Smuggler trail network, down to Aspen, the
alignment can be viewed as much more favorable.
While a feasible trail alignment does exist, we appreciate that land management issues may constrain the trail at its top
end, in regards to where it will be able to depart from the Verena Mallory (VM) Trail. In addition, a trail management
issue will need to be resolved at the bottom of this new trail alignment, where it intersects with the existing Lani White
(LW) Trail. As a first option, clear signage can be installed to indicate that mountain bikers must share the trail, yield,
and stop for all hikers on the Lani White Trail, from this new intersection, for the next 700’ to the LW Trailhead on Spruce
Street. As a second option, as the Lani White Trail closely parallels the Salvation Ditch for a similar distance, there is the
future potential for the ditch company to approve piping of the ditch water (lowering long term maintenance costs), and
allowing the mountain bike descending traffic from the “portal trail” to continue on a new dirt surface trail above the piped
ditch, effectively maintaining separated uses on parallel trails. The “portal trail” alignment is about 0.9 miles long from
top to bottom, and could be built by hand with local volunteers.
Due to the land management issues noted above for the VM trail, a second concept alignment was explored in 2014 by
a team that included staff from City of Aspen OST, Pitkin County OS&T, RFMBA, and Joey Klein from IMBA Trail
Solutions. This concept was given the name the ‘holy grail’ to describe how important and valued a singletrack
connection would be for trail users on the Hunter-Smuggler trail network. However, this alignment is not preferred
compared to the “portal trail” alignment due to its overall length (cost to build), the length of trail that will need to be
constructed on steep sideslopes, and perhaps most importantly, this trail may not be utilized by all mountain bikers as an
exit access since it will require a ~200’ climb, over 1 mile, from the Hunter Creek valley floor, back up to the Smuggler
observation platform, before descending down to the Lani White Trail. On the positive side, if this concept is pursued, it
would allow riders to enjoy a high quality, if shorter, ride on the existing trails of Smuggler Mt. OS, without continuing
beyond to the WRNF trails of the Hunter Creek valley floor and beyond. This concept, including a new climbing trail from
the HC valley floor up to the Smuggler observation platform, would total 2.6+ miles to connect down to the LW trail.
While portions of the trail could be built with hand tools, the amount of steep sideslopes encountered would be better
suited to a professionally built trail, utilizing small machines. Alignment files for both of these concepts will be shared by
email.
R.2 Designate Lower Hunter Creek Trail for pedestrian use only.
RFMBA recommends proceeding with this management action only after proceeding with actions R.1 and/or R.3. While
this trail sees very limited use by mountain bikers due to the inherent challenges to be found on this steep and rocky
trail, the current allowed use does present an opportunity that some riders do enjoy. Publicizing the adoption of this
management action (existing trail now closed to bikes) might be best timed along with any news of new trails to be
developed elsewhere in the open space.
R.3 Explore feasibility of constructing advanced mountain biking trail(s) on the north facing slopes… [above
Tootsie Roll Trail].
Our mission is to create and sustain the best possible mountain
bike trail system and experience in the Roaring Fork Valley.
Imagine! The best trails on the planet – right outside your door!
The inclusion of this recreation action is greatly appreciated by a segment of the trail using population that seeks
challenging experiences in beautiful natural settings. While the opportunity is limited (in length of potential trails), it is
significant. As noted in the final step of the plan for this action, local mountain bikers would be pleased to be involved in
both designing and building any approved trails in this location in the future.
RFMBA recommends that several short trails be considered for this area: two steep descending only trails, one with
black diamond / expert level steepness and features, and a second trail with even more challenging double black
diamond features to be encountered. If the terrain or other constraints dictate, these trails could be combined into one
challenging trail, with multiple double black diamond optional features available along the length of the trail. One
additional trail is also recommended: a steep climbing optimized trail that connects from the top of Tootsie Roll Trail
(where it crosses Smuggler Mt. Road), up to the top of these new descending trails. This climbing optimized trail could
be open to two way use for riders who determine that an expert level descending trail (indicated with a visual and
physical filter at the top of the trail) is not for them, before returning back down to Tootsie Roll. This climbing trail will
serve an additional purpose, it will keep riders from needing to use Smuggler Mt. Road, which leaves the OS, passes by
the entrance to a non-system WRNF trail, and requires most bike riders to push up a steep portion of the road to access
the top of the steep descending trail(s). Alignment files for these concepts will be shared by email.
R.4 Add a midpoint recreation destination along Smuggler Mountain Road.
RFMBA supports this action as it will be well used by many first time visitors to the area, along with others who don’t
have the time to climb all the way up to the Smuggler observation platform. We recommend adding a small bike rack to
this area, and up at the observation platform area too, so that vegetation near benches and platforms are less impacted
over time. Over ten years ago, the very short trail that connects to the Smuggler observation platform was rerouted, with
the original road width connection rehabilitated and revegetated. Temporary fencing was put in place to protect the
vegetation, but once the fencing was removed a few years later, impacts returned from users stepping off the short trail
to lay bikes off to the side. A small bike rack at each of these locations would reduce further similar impacts to these
beautiful destination areas.
M.3 Create a maintenance agreement and schedule with defined responsibilities.
While this action is focused on the relationship between the City of Aspen and Pitkin County, in their shared stewardship
and management of this open space, RFMBA looks forward to partnering in the effort to maintain the existing and any
future trails approved for Smuggler Mt. OS. We will help to coordinate the efforts of our volunteer Trail Agent Program
(trained independent volunteers) to report on current conditions, and to tackle minor corridor cutbacks and clearing of
fallen trees, while our Seasonal Trail Crew Staff can be directed to tackle bigger and more complex trail maintenance
needs.
Feel free to contact me with any questions at (970) 948-3486 or mike.pritchard@rfmba.org.
Best Regards,
Mike Pritchard, RFMBA, Executive Director
Caring for the Land and Serving People Printed on Recycled Paper
Logo Department Name Agency Organization Organization Address Information
United States
Department of
Agriculture
Forest
Service
Aspen-Sopris Ranger District 620 Main St
P.O. Box 309
Carbondale, CO 81623-0309
970-963-2266
File Code: 2300
Date: November 1, 2024
Carly O’Connell
530 E Main.
Pitkin County Open Space and Trails
Suite 202, 81611
Dear Carly,
Thank you for the opportunity to review Pitkin County Open Space & Trails’ Draft Smuggler
Mountain Open Space Management Plan. Overall, this management plan largely aligns with
land management priorities on National Forest System lands adjacent to the Pitkin County Open
Space & Trails parcels. Specifically, the plan aligns with recreation and wildlife management
priorities while also addressing recreation and wildlife concerns on adjacent National Forest
System lands. The plan also includes objectives that involve heritage, riparian, scenery, and
stream resources.
The Forest Service recognizes that laws, policies, rules, and regulations governing Pitkin County
Open Space and Trails may be different than those governing the Forest Service. The Forest
Service supports the draft plan and reaffirms the need for continued coordination between the
County and the Forest Service regarding County actions or issues in the draft management plan
that would or could affect Forest Service resources or that would trigger the need for additional
Forest Service action.
The Forest Service and the County share values around diversity, equity, inclusion and
accessibility. The Forest Service recommends the county consider ways to design dual language
signs (English and Spanish), infrastructure, and recreation opportunities to continue promoting
inclusion on public lands.
We appreciate the opportunity to comment on this plan as a close partner to Pitkin County. If
there are any questions or need for additional information don’t hesitate to contact the district’s
Recreation Manager, Kendra Head at Kendra.Head@usda.gov, Wilderness and Trails Program
Carly O’Connell 2
Manager, Katy Nelson at Katy.l.nelson@usda.gov, or Wildlife Biologist, Phil Nyland at
Philip.Nyland@usda.gov.
Sincerely,
X
KEVIN WARNER
District Ranger
cc: Katy Nelson, Kendra Head, Phil Nyland
KEVIN
WARNER
Digitally signed by KEVIN
WARNER
Date: 2024.11.04
10:47:26 -07'00'
October 31,2024
Pitkin County Open Space and Trails
530 East Main Street,Suite 202
Aspen,Colorado 81611
Letter of Support for the Draft Management Plan for Smuggler Mountain Open Space
Dear Pitkin County Open Space and Trails Team,
On behalf of the Aspen Fire Protection District (AFPD),we extend our full support for the draft
management plan for Smuggler Mountain Open Space.The thoughtful balance of natural
resource management,recreation,education,outreach,and maintenance presented in this plan
is commendable and reflects an understanding of our community’s diverse needs.
As an organization committed to the safety,health,and well-being of our community,AFPD
prioritizes wildfire safety and preparedness.The proactive management proposed in this plan
aligns with our mission,especially in addressing critical issues related to wildfire risk reduction.
A healthy and diverse ecosystem,as fostered by this plan,is foundational to minimizing wildfire
risk,supporting a resilient landscape,and ensuring a safe environment for the community.
At a time when global climate change is intensifying local challenges—such as drought and
increased beetle infestations—the need for deliberate and proactive landscape management
has never been more pressing.The strategies outlined in your management plan address these
realities and are aligned with objectives in the Pitkin County Community Wildfire Protection Plan.
This alignment underscores the importance of managing Smuggler Mountain Open Space in a
way that reduces fuel loading and creates mosaic landscapes,providing safer operational areas
for wildland firefighters in their mission to defend our community and its assets.
We greatly value our partnership with Pitkin County and look forward to collaborating to bring
this management plan to fruition.Together,we can ensure a healthy and resilient environment
for all who live in and enjoy this treasured part of our community.
Sincerely,
Ali Hammond
Director of Community Wildfire Resilience
Aspen Fire Protection District
APPENNDIX C. DRAFT PLAN COMMENTS
SM UGGL ER M OUNTAIN OPEN SPACE DRAFT MANAGEMENT PL AN UPDATE
1 / 20
1%3
3%6
11%24
36%80
49%109
Q1 Please rate your overall level of support for the management actions
listed in the table above.
Answered: 222 Sk ipped: 0
TOTAL 222
1%1% 1%
3%3% 3%
11%11% 11%
36%36% 36%
49%49% 49%
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%1 00%
Strongl y oppose
Oppose
Neutral
Support
Str ongl y
suppor t
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
Strongly oppos e
Oppose
Neutral
Support
Strongly s upport
SM UGGL ER M OUNTAIN OPEN SPACE DRAFT MANAGEMENT PL AN UPDATE
2 / 20
Q2 Of the listed management actions for Smuggler Mountain Open Space,
what are your TOP THREE priorities?
Answered: 214 Sk ipped: 8
List of Management Actions
2626 26
1010 10
1919 19
2121 21
1717 17
22 2
1010 10
1313 13
77 7
77 7
88 8
44 4
33 3
33 3
33 3
33 3
55 5
8888 88
5050 50
77 7
77 7
33 3
1010 10
66 6
11 1
66 6
33 3
55 5
33 3
55 5
22 2
6262 62
107107 107
1313 13
22 2
66 6
44 4
44 4
22 2
Recreation. 3
Recreation. 1
Natural
Reso ur ces. 2
Recreation. 7
Education +
Out r each. 3
Recreation. 2
Maint enance. 1
Maint enance. 3
Natural
Resour ces. 3
Natural
Reso ur ces. 8
Monitoring +
Stewardship. 1
Recreation. 6
Monit or ing +
Stewardship. 6
Natur al
Resour ces. 1
Natural
Resour ces. 7
Recreation. 4
Maint enance. 2
Monitor ing +
SM UGGL ER M OUNTAIN OPEN SPACE DRAFT MANAGEMENT PL AN UPDATE
3 / 20
44 4
33 3
33 3
22 2
44 4
33 3
22 2
22 2
11 1
11 1
11 1
11 1
11 1
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200
Priority #1 Priority #2 Priority #3
Monitor ing +
Stewardship. 2
Educatio n +
Outr each. 1
Education +
Outr each. 2
Recr eation. 5
Monitor ing +
Stewardship. 5
Maintenance. 4
Natural
Resources. 4
Natural
Resources. 5
Monit or ing +
Stewardship. 3
Natural
Resources. 6
Natural
Resources. 9
Recr eation. 8
Monitor ing +
Stewardship. 4
SM UGGL ER M OUNTAIN OPEN SPACE DRAFT MANAGEMENT PL AN UPDATE
4 / 20
Lis t of Management Act ions
35%
62
50%
88
15%
26
176
64%
107
30%
50
6%
10
167
33%
13
18%
7
49%
19
39
7%
2
23%
7
70%
21
30
13%
3
13%
3
74%
17
23
33%
6
56%
10
11%
2
18
6%
1
35%
6
59%
10
17
0%
0
7%
1
93%
13
14
0%
0
46%
6
54%
7
13
23%
3
23%
3
54%
7
13
0%
0
38%
5
62%
8
13
30%
3
30%
3
40%
4
10
44%
4
22%
2
33%
3
9
50%
4
13%
1
38%
3
8
0%
0
63%
5
38%
3
8
25%
2
38%
3
38%
3
8
13%
1
25%
2
63%
5
8
0%
0
43%
3
57%
4
7
33%
2
17%
1
50%
3
6
0%
0
40%
2
60%
3
5
0%
0
50%
2
50%
2
4
0%
0
0%
0
100%
4
4
0%
0
0%
0
100%
3
3
PRIORITY #1 PRIORI TY #2 PRI ORITY #3 TOTAL
Recreation. 3
Rec reation. 1
Natural Res ourc es. 2
Rec reation. 7
Education + Outreach. 3
Recreation. 2
Maintenance. 1
Maintenance. 3
Natural Resources . 3
Nat ural Resources . 8
Monit oring + St ewardship. 1
Rec reation. 6
Monitoring + Stewards hip. 6
Natural Res ourc es. 1
Natural Resources. 7
Recreation. 4
Maintenance. 2
Monitoring + Stewardship. 2
Education + Outreac h. 1
Educ ation + Out reac h. 2
Rec reation. 5
Monitoring + St ewardship. 5
Maintenanc e. 4
SM UGGL ER M OUNTAIN OPEN SPACE DRAFT MANAGEMENT PL AN UPDATE
5 / 20
0%
0
0%
0
100%
2
2
0%
0
0%
0
100%
2
2
0%
0
50%
1
50%
1
2
0%
0
0%
0
100%
1
1
100%
1
0%
0
0%
0
1
0%
0
0%
0
100%
1
1
0%
0
100%
1
0%
0
1
Natural Resources . 4
Nat ural Resources . 5
Monit oring + St ewardship. 3
Natural Res ourc es . 6
Natural Res ourc es. 9
Rec reation. 8
Monitoring + Stewards hip. 4
SM UGGL ER M OUNTAIN OPEN SPACE DRAFT MANAGEMENT PL AN UPDATE
6 / 20
Q3 Please share your comments on the Draft Action Items in the
Management Plan Update for Smuggler Mountain Open Space. Are there
changes or additions that you would like to see before a final plan is
adopted?
Answered: 115 Sk ipped: 107
#RESPONSES DATE
1 Support R. 1 A lower portal trail would mak e a huge impac t on the trail sys tem.10/27/2024 10:06 PM
2 Support R. 1 Support R. 3 Very happy to see the mountain bike points on there and would
be so excited to expand those!
10/27/2024 5:51 PM
3 Support R. 1 Trail from Hunter c reek to Aspen single t rac k 10/27/2024 4:27 PM
4 Support R. 1 Support R. 3 These trails on smuggler Mountain would be s o awesome. It
would keep me from des c ending with all the hik ers on smuggler on my bike or desc ending
through red Mountain and annoying the homeowners it would help people who work in Aspen
get out after work bef ore the commute home.
10/26/2024 9:58 PM
5 Support R. 1 Very ex c ited on momentum of the lower portal. I would hope it is being
cons idered as a two-way trail, providing a c limbing alternative to smuggler.
10/26/2024 5:59 AM
6 Maintain c urrent c ondition Please leav e as is , clean up trash. Do not limit us e or ov er
complicate things. More pres cribed burns at appropriate times for proper land stewards hip.
10/25/2024 9:04 PM
7 Support R. 3 Better steep MTB trails 10/25/2024 10:06 AM
8 Enforce dog was te Signage The dog was te is a huge is sue. I would lik e to s ee more
garbage cans along the trail as people just don't bother to pick up the was te or just leave the
bags along the trail. Smuggler and Hunter Creek hav e grown s o much in usage in the past
years. People are so unaware of the rules. I used to like the s igns that t old people to pic k up
their dog was te. Als o, bik es going at high speeds and loose dogs are not a good c ombination.
Dogs s hould be leas hed but I k now they are not required to be leashed on Smuggler. Also,
thos e long leas hes are even more dangerous for bikes going downhill at high speeds s o I am
not s ure how this issue can be managed.
10/25/2024 9:53 AM
9 Support R. 1 Portal trail pleas e 10/24/2024 6:59 PM
10 Support R. 1 It would be nice if the lower ac c ess portal trail started before the roc ky s hared
t rail decent bef ore t he bridge heading out t o Red Mountain road.
10/24/2024 1:58 PM
11 Support R. 1 I feel that making a MTB trail going down hunter creek would be a great idea. It
would be safer for bik er, pedest rians, and v ehicles.
10/23/2024 2:43 PM
12 Do it!!!!10/23/2024 10:01 AM
13 Support R. 3 If a more advanced trail is approved, can you pleas e s end at an additional
s urvey so individuals c an ex pres s what t ype of "advanc ed" t rail they would lik e. Divers ity of
trails is what makes a truly great riding communit y. If there is an over s aturation of just one
st yle of trail, progres sion of riders may be hindered.
10/23/2024 9:59 AM
14 Maintain/Improve Trails So many good ideas f or maintenanc e!! Rec reation maintenance is
s omething I s trongly s upport as a member of the roaring fork outdoor volunteers. I like the
direct ion this plan is tak ing ( I also support wolf reintroduc tion and look forward to educating
public awareness and s upport non lethal deterrence to cattle deprevat ion.
10/23/2024 5:01 AM
15 Support R. 1 Alternat ive uphill biking trail.10/23/2024 5:00 AM
16 Oppose R.2 Lower Hunter Creek should remain open to bikes . There’s only a handful of
people that ride it. Keep the option open.
10/22/2024 9:01 PM
SM UGGL ER M OUNTAIN OPEN SPACE DRAFT MANAGEMENT PL AN UPDATE
7 / 20
17 Oppose R. 4 I believe a midway point on Smuggler will dramatically inc reas e us e of this area
in a negativ e way.
10/22/2024 8:49 PM
18 Oppose R. 1 Oppose R.3 As a mountain bik er/trail runner using smuggler week ly for 25
years, I'd drop from the plan ex ploring any new trails and features.
10/22/2024 3:12 PM
19 Maintain/Improve Trails Need to moderniz e the mount ain bik e ex perience in the area. Would
be a benefit for all trail us ers.
10/22/2024 2:57 PM
20 Enforce dog was te Maintain/Improve Trails Bett er dod was te management after trail
improvements
10/22/2024 2:56 PM
21 Allow E-bik es We need a plan to address clas s 1 ebike usage across the network. The
abs ence here of anyt hing related to e mount ain bik es is notable.
10/22/2024 11:22 AM
22 Additional Trails Prioritize wildlife over new trails It would be great to see additonal
mountain bik e trails if t he environmental and wildlife impact is minimal.
10/22/2024 9:07 AM
23 Separate Us e Trails Continue to prioritize separation of e-mtb allowed us e from ex isting
shared hik ing/bik ing singletrack trails. Do not erode the current separated use conditions by
c ontemplating f uture acces s to proposed new DH trails (R3) not ing the upper-most c ontac t with
t he Smuggler Rd. This c onc ept hints a future e-bike shuttling ac tivity v ia road, to ac cess future
DH trails. It would be diffic ult to is olate e-mt b us e to that specific route once the gate is
opened, spilling over to other trails nearby. Pleas e preserve the c urrent management strategy
and minimiz e future conflict .
10/21/2024 9:47 AM
24 Support R. 1 Support R. 3 R.1 and R.3 repres ent very exciting possibilities to me, while I
want to maintain and promote healthy and resilient forests and rivers . Thank y ou
10/20/2024 3:00 PM
25 Thank s f or being s uch good stewards of Smuggler.10/20/2024 9:58 AM
26 Additional Trails IT would be nic e to create a trail across s muggler to intersect with the Lani
whit e and Lower hunter creek trail
10/20/2024 7:56 AM
27 No E-bikes No e-bikes on any Hunter Creek trails 10/19/2024 10:24 AM
28 Mountain biking on Smuggler and Hunt er Creek is s o f un and c ritical to the outdoor recreation
economy.
10/18/2024 6:27 PM
29 Additional Trails More Mount ain Bike Trails 10/18/2024 2:52 PM
30 Winter Maint enance What about as -needed winter maintenance of the road (light grooming) to
keep c onditions on t he road safer for hikers/s kiers?
10/18/2024 2:30 PM
31 Support R. 1 Support R. 3 RECREATION 1 (R.1) Ex plore the feasibility of a lower acc es s
"portal trail." This ac tion item env isions a new c onnecting t rail from Smuggler Mt. Open Space,
down towards Aspen, which would mean bike riders could have an alternative to the fas t
pavement descent down Red Mt. Road to finish a Smuggler Mt. / Hunter Creek area ride.
RECREATION 3 (R.3) Ex plore feas ibility of cons tructing adv anc ed mountain bik e trails ... This
act ion item would add the opportunity for c hallenging s teep trail ex periences in t he area abov e
Toots ie Roll, leading down to Lollipop Trail. This type of experienc e is highly desired by many
in the riding community, but is missing from the offic ial trail s y s tem on Smuggler Mount ain OS.
10/18/2024 2:01 PM
32 Oppose R.2 Please do not pursue r 2 10/18/2024 10:17 AM
33 Allow E-bik es E mtn bik e spec if ic should be allowed on all s ingle track trails. There are more
and more people getting e mtn bikes , old and young a like. This current situation is lik e
s nowboarding in the 90’s in aspen. There are 5 shops up and down the valley that sell e mtn
bikes in an ever growing community. Promot ing ebike destination grows tourism in aspen and
gets more people inv olv ed for funding and future planning of open spac e.
10/18/2024 10:13 AM
34 Support R. 1 I would like to see a descent alt ernative to Red mountain Road 10/17/2024 3:16 PM
35 Additional Trails With the sport of mountain biking growing at an increasingly fast rate nation
wide, it is c ritical we maintain and build new trails that will support this c ommunity. Adv anced
trails are jus t as important as beginner t rails
10/17/2024 2:32 PM
36 Support R. 1 A new dedicated bike trail is most important on the smuggler road. Presently
t he roc k y, eroded road is a real pain to reach the great single trac k trails above it .
10/17/2024 2:23 PM
37 More s pecific ity for R.1 I would lik e to s ee more specific language on the "explore feasibility "10/17/2024 2:17 PM
SM UGGL ER M OUNTAIN OPEN SPACE DRAFT MANAGEMENT PL AN UPDATE
8 / 20
for R3 and R1 . Having spec ific goals and timelines to thes e objectiv es would be great . Thank s
for all y our hard work!
38 Support R. 1 More Single trac k alternativ e red mount ain rd 10/17/2024 12:14 PM
39 Allow E-bik es Expand the mtb trail syst em and allow legal ac c ess for c las s I EMTBs. At
minimum legal acc es s for disabled riders , senior citizens, and people with a wide variety of
handic aps s hould already be in plac e in ac c ordance with the Americans With Dis abilities Ac t.
As far as I k now, no one has ever been hassled on Smuggler. Additionally e-bikes are here to
stay just as t hey are in many areas of Colorado and Ut ah, amongs t others .
10/17/2024 10:29 AM
40 Support R. 1 Aspen mountain biking would t ruly be world clas s with a lower Hunter Creek
bike trail.
10/17/2024 9:15 AM
41 Oppose R.2 Only designat e lower hunter creek trail as pedestrian use only after cons truction
of MTB specific trail.
10/17/2024 8:55 AM
42 Additional Trails I support any plans to maintain and expand t he mountain bike trails in
smuggler mountain open s pace. The main reason I travel t o and s pend money in aspen is to
ride the mountain bike trails.
10/17/2024 7:43 AM
43 Prioritize wildlife over new trails I believ e that ex treme c are should be taken when
cons idering new trail c onstruction. New trails s hould be planned to ens ure the s malles t
ec ological footprint pos sible and implemented in spac es that are already heavily impact ed and
not fragmenting additional habit at. If elk calv ing habitat is determined to be activ e, new t rails
s hould ideally not be built in prox imit y to those areas and and/or seasonal clos ures during
calving s eas on s hould be implemented. The mountain biking c ommunity seems to hav e a
never ending des ire for new trails and as the population of recreational us ers continues to grow
while quality wildlife habitat in the v alley diminishes, I think we as a c ommunity need to think
v ery critic ally about how and where we develop.
10/17/2024 6:02 AM
44 Support R. 1 Riding down the road is dangerous and not fun! Pleas e make a trail that
connects downtown that is rideable !
10/16/2024 10:07 PM
45 Additional Trails Open up old bandit trails for more bik ing.10/16/2024 10:03 PM
46 Allow E-bik es There s hould be a rec reational action t o ex plore the adoption of emtb’s on this
ex ist ing mtb t rail network. In all honesty y ou are fight ing a loos ing bat tle c ontinuing to prohibit
them. I’d adv ise getting ahead on this an not being late to the game
10/16/2024 7:44 PM
47 Support R. 1 Appreciate cons ideration of a new mountain bike portal trail in tandem with
habitat cons iderations and maintaining/improving health of fores ts.
10/16/2024 7:36 PM
48 Oppose R.2 Support R. 1 Adding a bike trail would be incredibly awes ome for the
community. Getting rid of bik es on lower hunter creek is not a good option. Des c ending the
paved road is a major det errent when choos ing to ride hunter c reek . Gett ing t o ride lower hunt er
creek is super fun and should be permitted. Continuing to allow ac c es s to the huts is ver
important aswell as maintaining a health forest
10/16/2024 4:24 PM
49 Support R. 1 We need a bike optimized route up and down s muggler mountain.10/16/2024 3:32 PM
50 Separate Us e Trails Support R. 3 As a frequent t rail user in the smuggler mountain open
spac e the need for more advanc ed mountain bike trail is ex tremely apparent within the local
c ommunity. Hik er and bik er separation work s v ery well in smuggler ex c ept for Hunter c reek
main trail. Have two separate trails here would be fantastic !
10/16/2024 3:13 PM
51 Prioritize wildlife over new trails Focus on mitigating wildlife impacts f rom rec reational
overuse.
10/16/2024 2:11 PM
52 Prioritize wildlife over new trails Please foc us on maintaining natural wildlife habitat and
minimizing new development and habitat fragmentat ion. Please prioritize wildlife. There are
already endles s recreation opportunities and trails in and more human development is not
needed
10/16/2024 1:50 PM
53 Prioritize wildlife over new trails Support of Pitk in County to take wildlife habitat and
biodiv ersity values into account during the planning proc es ses the better! There s hould be a
desire for trails to be built in within previously impacted areas if at all and wildlife v alues are a
top priority.
10/16/2024 1:35 PM
54 Prioritize wildlife over new trails Continue to protec t the wildlife in the area and minimiz e 10/16/2024 1:28 PM
SM UGGL ER M OUNTAIN OPEN SPACE DRAFT MANAGEMENT PL AN UPDATE
9 / 20
mountain bik e traffic as this inv ersely affects the animals.
55 Additional Trails Support R. 1 more designated mtb s ingletrac k , in particular to av oid going
down eit her red mountain and less use of s muggler on bikes
10/16/2024 1:11 PM
56 Signage More signage that alerts hikers to mountain bik ers (and mountain bik ers to hikers) or
alternating day us e for bikers and hikers on Sunnys ide trail.
10/16/2024 12:48 PM
57 Allow E-bik es Please let us e-bik e ev ery where and mak e more advanced trails . We are not
c hildren.
10/16/2024 12:46 PM
58 Additional Trails More bik e trails and adopting current non sanctioned trails 10/16/2024 12:45 PM
59 Support R. 3 We need more s teep and technical mountain bike trails that are "downhill only."10/16/2024 12:37 PM
60 Additional Trails Can we incorporate the lost and balcony trails . They hav e been there for
dec ades and it 's an easy way to increase single track with no increase to impac t and improve
sust ainabilit y!
10/16/2024 12:08 PM
61 Maintain/Improve Trails The area needs s ome bett er MTB t rails and a refresh.10/16/2024 11:53 AM
62 Allow E-bik es I would lik e to explore t he possibilit y of opening s ome trails to e-bikes. The
key is to mak e the trails one-way f or safet y.
10/16/2024 11:18 AM
63 Signage Providing a s ourc e for water at the base of Smuggler is needed. Warning signs for
moose in the area and angry grouse.
10/16/2024 8:42 AM
64 Limit wolves No wolves, they're eat ing t he moos e. Check the results in upper WS and
Mic higan. The moose have been eat en. Bad mis tak e by bad fake science. Thanks for
conduc ting this s urv ey. It's very useful. The hunter Creek and Smuggler areas are badly in
need of a mommy mak eover. Go. Ant thank s again.
10/16/2024 8:27 AM
65 Support R. 1 I'm assuming the "portal trail" is what will help avoid Red Mountain Road? It
was a t ad unclear but that's BY FAR the no. 1 priority. If that's pos s ible, it's hero status .
10/16/2024 8:16 AM
66 Limit group siz es Rec reational use of t he Smuggler Road is excessive and disrupt ive t o
other us ers . Please limit group siz e to 10 people or less. I'v e been up there when groups of 30-
50 people are walking up t ogether, typically assoc iated with a wedding party or corporate
ev ent.
10/15/2024 10:54 PM
67 Additional Trails pleas e ex pand acces s 10/15/2024 10:09 PM
68 Additional Trails An additional mountain bike trail would be great.10/15/2024 4:38 PM
69 Additional Trails great ideas. I would also support more intermediate mtb trails .10/15/2024 4:28 PM
70 Support R. 3 I stumbled upon some very fun and steep trails while mountain bik ing
somewhere in this area, but could not f ind t hem on any maps, apps, etc. Not sure if they are
s anctioned, but it was s ome of the more exciting riding I've enc ountered in the valley! Really
hopeful that any new trail builds in this area will leverage t he naturally steep terrain to give
adv anced/expert riders something fun and exciting to ride down! Does f eel like the v alley is
lac king in s teep, double-black trails...
10/15/2024 4:26 PM
71 Support R. 1 A lower acc es s portal t rail for bik ing would be inc redible. To not have t o us e red
mtn des c ent would be so muc h better. Thank you
10/15/2024 4:22 PM
72 Continue Part ners hips Support R. 1 Continuing partnerships with lik e-minded agencies to
support the Smuggler Mt area is critic al to long-term health and s uc cess of this area. As the
"bac k yard" f or recreational c y c lis ts , an alt ernative route into the lower v alley as well as any
trail enhanc ements and/or additions are greatly apprec iat ed.
10/15/2024 4:16 PM
73 Oppose R.2 Continue to allow bikes on lower Hunter Creek.10/15/2024 4:12 PM
74 Support R. 3 more advanc ed mountain biking trails 10/10/2024 7:40 PM
75 Oppose R.2 Support R. 1 Support R.6 R.1 would be the most impactful management
action if a feas ible alignment can be determined. The Plan details R.1 as being useful as a
downhill ex it for mountain bikes from the t rail system, as such the alignment could be
opt imiz ed for bikes only, with no other user types heading up the trail at any time. An
alignment that connec ts Verena Mallory to the valley floor would be ideal compared to an
alignment that requires riders to c limb back up from the hanging valley of Hunter Creek, up
10/10/2024 5:45 PM
SM UGGL ER M OUNTAIN OPEN SPACE DRAFT MANAGEMENT PL AN UPDATE
10 / 20
towards the Observ ation Platform on Smuggler Mt. Road before ult imat ely des c ending bac k
down. R.2 propos es to of ficially close Lower Hunter Creek Trail to bikes. While t hat is a fair
eventuality sinc e very few bike riders have the des ire and s k ills to negotiate many sections of
this tec hnical trail, the c hange should not happen before R.1 is implemented. For R.4, add a
bike rack f or visitors to the propos ed new platform/bench/spot . Also, add bike rac k s to the
ex isting obs erv ation deck area just off Smuggler Mt. Road, t his will help to prot ect vegetation
in t he area, espec ially areas that were revegetated and fenc ed off ~10+ years ago. For R.2,
this addition of limited new c hallenging trail(s) would s erv e a vocal and pas sionate part of the
mountain bik e c ommunity, and would be great to see inc luded. Ins tead of c ontinuing to require
riders to head up Smuggler Mt. Road to acces s the top of thes e new trail(s), c onsider a
climbing f ocused two-way t rail that continues above Tootsie Roll to access these trail(s ) for a
higher quality t rail experience.
76 Enforce dog was te Oppos e R.2 Support R. 1 I do not support removing bike access from
trails unless other bik e des ignated trails are built to maintain access . I primarily us e Smuggler
mountain trails for mountain biking, but v alue the wildlife habitat that is prov ided by pres erv ing
the land. Uphill bik ing acc es s on Smuggler Mtn Road is a long, but not bad climb. My top
priority would be if there was a one way singletrac k downhill only option for mountain bikes to
come back down t o the base of s muggler mountain road. This would remove potential high
s peed bikes from coming down this s ometimes c rowded path. I would als o be supportiv e of
more enforcement when it c omes t o dog wast e and leash regulations.
10/8/2024 12:24 PM
77 Support R. 1 A single track Mtb option allowing des c ending from hunter c reek valley to town 10/5/2024 7:49 AM
78 Additional Trails Support R. 1 Need better mountain bik e trails and c loser ac cess to town.
Do not clos e ex ist ing t rails . Smuggler is the leas t desirable MTB spot in Aspen and should be
left alone or add more t rails .
10/4/2024 7:21 PM
79 No E-bikes Enforcement of e-bik e us age on single trac k 10/4/2024 7:16 AM
80 Signage Support R. 1 The plan is good wit h the focus on improv ing div ers it y of plant and
animal components. A portal trail would be the most pos it ively rec eived improvement of the
plan. In my opinion I think interpretive s igns would go along way to engaging the public with
Community stewardship as well as the Communic ating the work that PCOST is doing. I don’t
think the public quite understands the v aluable roles that PCOST play s in management of the
public resources.
10/3/2024 8:38 PM
81 Enforce dog was te No E-bik es Definitely monitoring of dog owners & their responsibilities .
limiting bikes.
10/3/2024 5:51 PM
82 Addres s Vehic les on Rd There are too many cars on Smuggler Mountain Road.10/3/2024 10:45 AM
83 Oppose R. 4 I do not think a midway v iewpoint on Smuggler Mtn Road is necess ary. There is
bas ically nat ural ability to do that.
10/3/2024 9:47 AM
84 Maintain/Improve Trails Smuggler road is in need of water div ers ion as it has deteriorated
over the last f ew years and the water runs down every s torm. All the more mountain bike trails
the better.
10/2/2024 8:07 PM
85 Oppose E.O. I oppose the increase is signage, reduction of rec reation ac c ess, and the
addit ion rules t o any recreat ion area.
10/2/2024 11:53 AM
86 Add restroom A restroom facility at t he trailhead. Creation of more than jus t one advanc ed
downhill trail. especially one that would c onnect to Iowa Shaft resulting in a much longer trail.
10/2/2024 9:53 AM
87 Support R. 1 I like that the idea of a portal trail is on the table, as a mountain biker I would
lov e to giv e pedestrians their spac e on smuggler mountain road.
10/1/2024 10:45 PM
88 Oppose R.5 Support R. 1 It’d be awesome to have more bike friendly routes from both
t own and the lower HC trailhead (part icularly when going uphill). A more designated bike route
up hunter creek might als o help with hiker-biker c onflict in the main hunter c reek rock garden.
Obs erv ation decks and kios k s don’t s eem like t he best use of money
10/1/2024 10:35 PM
89 Oppose R. 1 Signage Support R.6 Smuggler Mount ain does not need any additional
signs. Its road width is perfect the way it is . When we talk about improv ements , let’s st art by
replacing/updating the trail signs that are there now. We can mak e them more informative
rather than adding more signs and c lutter. I also believ e putt ing our money towards building a
port al trail is unnec essary as it will only direct more traf fic t o the trail. There are already plenty
of ways to make it to the trailhead if the pers on is desperat e to go. Adding a WeCy c le could be
10/1/2024 9:14 PM
SM UGGL ER M OUNTAIN OPEN SPACE DRAFT MANAGEMENT PL AN UPDATE
11 / 20
a positiv e alternativ e rat her than building a whole new trail portal. Smuggler Mountain is already
super popular. A bike rack is a great idea and very neces s ary for the Smuggler Mountain
trailhead.
90 Prioritize wildlife over new trails I appreciate the balanc e of monitoring the lands and habitat
along with rec us es. I ’d prefer to hav e the rec reational act ions implement ed in a way that
s erv es to improve natural habitat and mitigate natural dis aster threats.
10/1/2024 8:18 PM
91 Support R. 1 We need a mountain bike route all the way down Hunter creek ins tead of riding
the road. Hunter c reek is a community gem that needs bet ter access.
10/1/2024 8:03 PM
92 Addres s Vehic les on Rd Make it c lear how to ac c ess to the mountain bike trails and make
the road more less friendly to c ars
10/1/2024 4:00 PM
93 Support R. 1 Poss ibly adding a hiking/mountain bik e t rail lower would be incredible 10/1/2024 2:30 PM
94 Enforce dog was te Leash dogs No E-bik es no e bikes in Hunter Creek Valley no
exces s ive signage. k eep Mollie Gibson Park passiv e. no "event s". keep the bench with the
tribute to S. Albouy. all dogs leashed-everywhere, all the time. continue to work with the Hunter
Creek Foundation to preserve and rec ord the early history in the Valley do the best you can in
k eeping e bik es out of the Valley and dog owners picking up poop bags .
10/1 /2024 1:29 PM
95 No E-bikes Separate Use Trails designate mtb trails only, uphill and downhill would be
great and prohibit the use of ebikes . This will not only help the MTB us ers but the people
hiking and walk ing with lit tle ones, pets and family in general. Sk y mountain is a great ex ample
of how c an ev ery one enjoy it. Organiz ation is key and again the e-bikes in that area are s uper
dangerous s inc e there is z ero organization on which trails are mtb (uphill / downhill ) and hiking
only.
10/1/2024 12:44 PM
96 More enforcement We need more rangers and boots on the ground, especially to enforc e
s afety laws , inc luding leas h laws and prohibiting growing illegel e-mountain biking. I live at t he
base and see thes e issues weekly.
10/1/2024 10:54 AM
97 No 10/1/2024 10:04 AM
98 Allow E-bik es Clas s 1 e-bik es s hould be allowed in Hunter Creek and on singletrack trails in
the area.
9/30/2024 8:46 PM
99 Support R. 1 A singlet rac k from the bottom to BTS s o bikes do not hav e to go up the road
would be amazing!
9/30/2024 8:35 PM
100 Allow E-bik es Please allow clas s 1 e-bik es on all Pitk in county open space 9/30/2024 7:18 PM
101 Support NR.3 Support R.6 Wildfire risk mitigation is really important . Make it eas y to
acces s wit hout needing t o driv e. Bike rac ks at all entranc e points .
9/30/2024 4:34 PM
102 Add restroom Include bathrooms at bas e of smuggler 9/30/2024 1:52 PM
103 Allow E-bik es Would like to see acc es s for E Mt n bikes t o trails 9/30/2024 12:12 PM
104 Allow E-bik es mak e it ebike friendly - its time.9/30/2024 10:46 AM
105 Allow E-bik es I have heart disease which is a dis abilit y that requires me to ride an e-bik e.
There is no allowance for people with my disability to ride e-bik es on the single track in
Smuggler Mountain Open Space. This is direct violation of the Americ an with Dis ability Act
which requires public entit ies to allow for the use of e-bik es and prov ide equal ac cess to t he
s ingle track trails on public lands .
9/30/2024 9:50 AM
106 Allow E-bik es Allow ebikes 9/30/2024 9:26 AM
107 Oppose R.3 Please don’t put any “adv anced” mt n bike trails up there. What this means does
not go with either the flow of aspen or the integrit y of mountain bik ing.
9/30/2024 8:45 AM
108 Oppose R.2 Support R. 1 Support R. 3 I highly support the creation of a portal trail from
Smuggler Mountain to Aspen as desc ribed in Recreation Ac tion 1. This would greatly benefit
the rec reation c ommunity be 1) k eeping bikes off Red Mt Road 2) enabling t he c los ure of the
steep s ection of Lower Hunter Creek Trail to bik es . BUT pleas e do NOT close the lower angle
s ec tion of Hunter Creek trail to bik es - the sec tion between the trailhead and Loni White Trail
as this can s ection can be ridden early / late seas on when the upper t rails are wet and would
also allow for another egres s off Smuggler if a portal trail is created. And please DO NOT c lose
9/30/2024 8:23 AM
SM UGGL ER M OUNTAIN OPEN SPACE DRAFT MANAGEMENT PL AN UPDATE
12 / 20
the Lower Smugger Trail to bik es until a new Portal Trail is created as it can currently be ridden
in the winter on fat bikes onc e it fills in with snow and is a muc h better way to get down the
mountain than Red Mountain Road. I also support a new downhill trail in Recreation Ac tion 3.
And additionally support c ontinued maintenanc e of Smuggler Mountain Road in Maint enance
Action 1.
109 test 9/30/2024 8:16 AM
110 Oppose R.2 Strongly oppose mak ing Lower Hunter Creek Trail f or pedes trians only. This will
forc e mountain bikers back up over Hunter Creek Cutof f and down Smuggler which is a
significant s afety is s ue. Remov e baby head roc k s along Lower Hunter Creek trail to mak e
des c ending on mtbs s afer for both cy c lis ts and hik ers .
9/28/2024 10:11 PM
111 Oppose R. 4 What kind of “recreation des tination” is draft plan referring to? What installations
are y ou planning? Is this going to disrupt the natural f ores t habitat and environment? Will this
be a “play ground” for children? What exac tly is a “recreation” des tination? Smuggler Mountain
is f or hik ing and enjoying peac e in nature with the occasional soc ial ex c hange bet ween hikers .
That’s the only rec reation I’m interest ed in on Smuggler Mount ain.
9/28/2024 9:47 AM
112 Ban dogs Dogs off leash cont inue to be an issue. I see them chasing ground animals and
birds. I s ee so many people with dogs off of leash not pay ing any attention to their pets. There
are more dogs off leash t hen on leash. I would sugges t banning dogs entirely from the area.
9/27/2024 5:35 PM
113 Replac e picnic tables Can we please replac e the pic nic tables. Pretty pleas e.9/27/2024 5:13 PM
114 Addres s s hooting Enforc e dog waste Dis c ourage random shooting, people are shooting int o
the woods wit hout realizing there are trails (personal ex p). Dogs are a problem or more
s pecific ally dogs out of c ontrol (usually 3-5 people with s ame number or more of dogs) and
bags of s hit on the trail, not sure what to do a realize it's hard to manage in real time.
9/27/2024 4:20 PM
115 Oppose R.2 I ’m opposed to Recreation R.2 c losure to mountain bicycling downhill.9/27/2024 4:16 PM
SM UGGL ER M OUNTAIN OPEN SPACE DRAFT MANAGEMENT PL AN UPDATE
13 / 20
44.29%93
4.29%9
12.86%27
2.86%6
21.90%46
8.10%17
1.90%4
0.95%2
2.86%6
Q4 Where do you live?
Answered: 210 Sk ipped: 12
TOTAL 210
#OTHER (PLEASE SPECI FY)DATE
1 Employed by the town ( native of manitou springs )10/23/2024 5:02 AM
2 Missouri Heights 10/17/2024 10:04 AM
3 Former Roaring Fork Valley resident liv ing els ewhere in Colorado who returns frequently to
recreate
10/17/2024 8:25 AM
4 Leadville 10/17/2024 7:43 AM
5 Gunnison 1 0/16/2024 11:34 PM
6 Marble, just barely in Gunnison County 10/1/2024 10:06 AM
AspenAspen Aspen
Snow mass Vi llageSnowmass Vi llage Snow mass Vi llageBasalt / E L JebelBasalt / E L Jebel / Wi llits/ Wi llits Basalt / E L Jebel / Wi lli ts
Uni ncorporatedUnincorporated Pitkin CountyPitkin County Unincorporated Pitkin County
CarbondaleCarbondale Carbondale
Glen wood SpringsGlenwood Springs Glen wood Springs
I am a vi sitorI am a vi sitor I am a vi sitor
Oth er (pleaseOther (please speci f y)speci f y) Other (please speci f y)
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
As pen
Snowmass Village
Bas alt / EL Jebel / Willits
Unincorporated Pitkin Count y
Carbondale
Glenwood Springs
I am a vis it or
I own a second home in Pitk in County
Other (please s pecify)
SM UGGL ER M OUNTAIN OPEN SPACE DRAFT MANAGEMENT PL AN UPDATE
14 / 20
0.00%0
17.14%36
30.00%63
24.76%52
16.67%35
11.43%24
Q5 What is your age?
Answered: 210 Sk ipped: 12
TOTAL 210
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%1 00%
19 and under
20-30
31-40
41-5 0
51-60
61+
ANSWER CHOICES RESPONSES
19 and under
20-30
31-40
41-50
51-60
61+
APPENNDIX D. NOXIOUS WEEDS AND PROPOSED TREATMENTS
Invasion of noxious vegetation is one of the primary drivers of land degradation threatening both natural
habitats and managed lands – leading to a decrease in biodiversity, altering nutrient cycling, and negatively
influencing soil health. These non-native species are aggressive invaders that are adapted to be highly
competitive with the ability to reproduce and spread rapidly – thriving in areas of disturbance and human
influence. In accordance with the best available science, regulations, and resources, the collaboration of
land managers (OST, City of Aspen, AVLT) will actively manage noxious vegetation to promote the vigor of
native biodiversity utilizing an integrated approach.
Scientific Name Common Name Growth Notes Management Strategies Recommended
Herbicides
Arctium minus Common
burdock
Biennial that
reproduces by
seed - produce
spring and fall
rosettes.
Mechanical - Key to management is to
prevent seed dispersal and deplete seed
bank. Pull or dig out plant at flowering or in
rosette stage, severing taproot a few inches
below soil. Cut and remove mature
flowering plants and seed heads. **
Hitchhiking seeds that are easily dispersed
by humans and animals, sticking to fur,
shoes and clothes.
N/A
Bromus tectorum Cheatgrass
Winter annual
grass - with
short life cycle
that flowers in
spring and
mature by early
summer.
Chemical - Pre-emergent herbicides that
prevent germination of annual grasses are
the most effective control for cheatgrass.
Best results if native perennial grasses and
forbs in area. treat in late summer and time
treatments with monsoon rains. Mechanical
- Small patches and individual plants can
effectively be pulled or hoed in early spring.
Mowing not recommended, but can be
effective if populations repeatedly mowed -
plants can continue to produce seed heads
following mowing. **Overgrazing can
increase establishment.
Indazaflim
Carduus acanthoides Plumeless thistle
Biennial that
reproduces by
seed - produce
spring and fall
rosettes.
Mechanical - Key to management is to
prevent seed dispersal and deplete seed
bank. Dig rosettes in spring or fully bolted
plants through the summer, remove mature
flowers and seed heads from plants. Plants
will continue to grow and produce flowers if
cut during early bolting/budding stages.
Plants have a wide timeframe for flowering,
so repeated visits to populations needed.
**Weekly competitive in well established
vegetation.
N/A
Cirsium arvense Canada thistle
Deep rooted
perennial with
extensive root
systems.
Reproduces by
seed and
vegetatively
Chemical - treat post emergence in the
bolting to flowering stage (before they
produce seed). Fall rosette applications.
Chemical control is most effective, the key is
to deplete deep rhizomatic roots.
Mechanical - Mowing can reduce nutrient
storage in roots and suppress flower
formation, but not very effective method for
established populations. Need to mow every
3-4 weeks for several growing seasons.
Remove, bag and dispose of mature
flowering plants to prevent seed dispersal.
**Cultivation and tilling can spread
populations - dispersing root fragments and
stimulating growth.
Aminopyralid
Clopyralid
Cirsium vulgare Bull thistle
Biennial that
reproduces by
seed - produce
spring and fall
rosettes.
Mechanical - Key to management is to
prevent seed dispersal and deplete seed
bank. Dig rosettes in spring or fully bolted
plants through the summer, remove mature
flowers and seed heads from plants. Plants
will continue to grow and produce flowers if
cut during early bolting/budding stages.
Plants have a wide timeframe for flowering,
so repeated visits to populations needed.
**Weekly competitive in well established
vegetation.
N/A
Cynoglossum
officinale Houndstongue
Biennial forb
with large
taproot to store
carbohydrates.
Mechanical - Key to management is to
prevent seed dispersal and deplete seed
bank. Digging, pulling, and cutting is an
effective measure of control - severing the
root ground below the surface. Rosettes can
be dug in the spring and summer. clip and
bag mature flowering plants and seed heads.
** Hitchhiking seeds that are easily
dispersed by humans and animals, sticking to
fur, shoes and clothes.
N/A
Leucanthemum
vulgare Oxeye daisy
Creeping
perennial with
extensive
shallow root
system.
Reproduce by
seed and
vegetatively
through
rhizomes.
Mechanical - isolated populations may be
managed by repeated hand-pulling. Mowing
before flowering can prevent seed dispersal,
but does not control plant. Chemical - Treat
postemergence, through the rapid growth
stage prior to flower set. Cultural/Biological
- palatable to livestock, but typically avoided
for better forage.
Aminopyralid
Clopyralid
Triclopyr
Linaria vulgaris Yellow toadflax
Creeping
Perennial forb
with expansive
lateral roots.
Reproduces by
seed and
vegetatively.
Mechanical - Hand pulling can be effective
on young, new established populations.
Mowing not recommended - can stimulate
vegetative reproduction. Chemical - treat
postemergence in the bolting/rapid growth
stage. Cultural/Biological - Flower feeding
beetle (Brachypterolus pulicarius), capsule
weevil (Gymnetron antirrhini), stem-mining
weevil (Mecinus janthinus)
Chlorsulfuron
Metsulfuron
Tanacetum vulgare Common tansy
Erect pernnial
with creeping
lateral root
system.
Reproduces by
seed and
vegetatively.
Seeds have high
rates of viability.
Mechanical - limited control, hand pulling
can be effective for small populations.
Mowing/removing flowering plant material
can prevent seed dispersal. Chemical -
Postemergence in flower/bud stage.
Cultural/Biological - toxic to cattle in large
quantities, sheep and goats will readily graze
with no ill effect.
Chlorsulfuron
Metsulfuron
Tripleuropermum
inodorum
Scentless
chamomile
Annual to short
lived perennial.
Reproduces by
seed.
Mechanical - hand pulling and digging can be
effective. Chemical - Treat in rosette to
bolting stage (spring to early summer).
Aminopyralid
Clopyralid
Verbascum thapsus Common
mullein
Primarily
biennial species
that reproduces
by seed - seeds
known to stay
viable for 100+
years.
Mechanical - Hand pulling and digging
rosettes and flowering plants is preferred
method. Sever root below soil surface, soil
disturbance can stimulate recruitment.
Cultural/Biological - has low palatability, so
grazing is not reliable. Curculinoid weevil
(Gymnaetron tetrum) can destroy up to 50%
of seeds.
N/A
3. Routinely monitor the establishment of new populations and effectiveness of prescribed
treatments.