Shelf Road Recreation Area, located outside of Canon City, Colorado and managed by the BLM, is best known for its world-class sport climbing. People come 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 recreational 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.

Project Goal

To create and maintain a sustainable and safe trail infrastructure in Shelf Road Recreation Area, and to promote a strong stewardship ethic in the area's user groups.

Project Objectives

• Protect and restore the ecological integrity of the Shelf Rd. Recreation Area while providing a sustainable infrastructure for recreational opportunities
• Educate the public and recreational users about the importance of public lands stewardship and environmental protection
• Re-construct and re-route eroding trails, stabilize unstable trails and restore old trails.