Shelf Road Recreation Area
BACKGROUND
Shelf Road Recreation Area, located approximately 11 miles north of Cañon City, Colorado, and managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), is best known for its world-class sport climbing. People travel from all over the world to test their crimping skills on Shelf's stellar limestone crags. In addition to climbing, the area offers hiking, mountain biking, fishing, hunting, and horseback riding. RMFI began working with the BLM in 1991 to address recreation impacts in the area. Since that time, RMFI has constructed a sustainable trail infrastructure linking climbing areas, parking lots, and campgrounds.
Due to unique topography, trails in the area require a significant number of stabilizing structures such as steps, risers, and retaining walls. Shelf's trails are characterized by limestone staircases and outslope retaining walls - all constructed with rocks and materials found on-site to create a trail that blends seamlessly with its environmental surroundings.
WORK OBJECTIVES
The primary project goal is to create and maintain a sustainable and safe trail infrastructure in Shelf Road Recreation Area, and to promote a strong stewardship ethic among the area's user groups. Specific projet objectives include:
- Protecting and restoring the ecological integrity of the Shelf Road. Recreation Area while providing a sustainable infrastructure for recreational opportunities.
- Educating the public and recreational users about the importance of public lands stewardship and environmental protection.
- Re-constructing and re-routing eroding trails, stabilize unstable trails, and restore old trails.
PROJECT PARTNERS AND FUNDERS
- Access Fund
- American Alpine Club
- Bureau of Land Management
- Fountain Valley School
- Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics
- Pikes Peak Climbers Alliance