Elevation Outdoors Spring 2023

In Granby, everything’s a little more independent. Take Granby Bait N Tackle. It is what it says it is.

You can’t buy a boat there, and there’s no mountain of stuffed animals. What there is, is a fishing guide behind the counter. His name is Mike.

Someone who knows the local waters, the where, what, how, and why. Someone who just wants you to have a great time on the waters he loves.

GRANBY. A LITTLE MORE INDEPENDENT.

Sweat Equity

For those that prefer turns earned, the Helicon Lite is the perfect tool to access the blank canvas. Infinitely adjustable, dependable, and the ultimate companion to help you find the line of your dreams.

www.leki.com

Photo: Liam Doran | Skier: Sven Brunso Location: Lofoten, Norway

Tell your sustainability story with Recover.

Wholesale Blanks, Custom Design & Print, Made to Order 100% Recycled Since 2010

ARTS. PARKS. EATS.

LYONS WINTER ESCAPE

This small town offers big views and a unique blend of artsy, down-home, outdoorsy fun. This winter, escape to Lyons, embrace relaxation and linger longer in Lyons. From beautiful wintry hikes, great local eats and easy-access cycling opportunities, Lyons has something for everyone.

VISIT LYONSCOLORADO.COM

IN THIS ISSUE

SPRING 2023

DEPARTMENTS

7 EDITOR’S LETTER

Embrace the lifelong fun of beating up a bike.

9 QUICK HITS

A new outdoor brand just for the desert; the best whitewater trips to book now; classy digs and kid-friendly canyons in Escalante, Utah; the resurrection of Frozen Dead Guy Days; our favorite gravel races; and more.

14

FLASHPOINT

Is Colorado or Utah the hub of the outdoor universe? With two major trade Shows—Outdoor Retailer and The Big Gear Show—swapping locations between the states, the outdoor industry is struggling to find its center.

16 HOT SPOT

The author of 111 Places in Denver That You Must

Not Miss gives us five trails close to “Paris on the Platte” where you can get your outdoor fix.

18 STRAIGHT TALK

Outdoor Afro founder Rue Mapp’s new book, The Nature Swagger celebrates a wide range of Black Americans finding and sharing purpose, place, and happiness in nature.

30 ELWAYVILLE

The things people tell you on the chair lift may lead to momentary connections and deep spiritual revelations—or they may reaffirm how much you hate a certain sports team.

wanting to experience the good life in a mountain town mean local groups need to find creative ways to keep the dream alive.

24 BIKE GEAR

Here’s our beta on the gravel and mountain bikes that wowed us, plus accessories to up your experience on the ride.

28 RUNNING GEAR

It’s time to shake off the winter blues and hit the ground running. We can help. Look no further for the right gear to get you where you want to go.

FEATURES ON THE COVER

21 WHO WILL SAVE CRESTED BUTTE’S MOUNTAIN TOWN SOUL?

All hands are on deck in Crested Butte, where pressure from crowds

Fernando Riveros Paez battles his way up the first major kick in the shins of the infamous Wheeler Trail during the Breck Epic mountain bike stage race.

By Devon Balet devonbaletmedia.com Instagram @devonbalet

WANT MORE? CATCH UP ON PAST ISSUES, YOUR FAVORITE BLOGGERS, AND DAILY ONLINE CONTENT AT ELEVATIONOUTDOORS.COM.

THE SEASON IS HERE: So what if there’s still some snow on the ground? This issue of EO will get you primed for the trails! Photo by Jen Magnuson/jenmagnusonphoto.com

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

DOUG SCHNITZSPAHN doug@elevationoutdoors.com

PRESIDENT / PUBLISHER

BLAKE DEMASO blake@elevationoutdoors.com

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

MELISSA KENNELLY m.kennelly@elevationoutdoors.com

EDITORIAL + PRODUCTION

MANAGING EDITOR

CAMERON MARTINDELL cameron@elevationoutdoors.com

DEPUTY EDITOR TRACY ROSS

SENIOR EDITOR CHRIS KASSAR

COPY EDITOR

MELISSA HOWSAM

EDITOR-AT-LARGE PETER KRAY

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS

AARON BIBLE, ROB COPPOLILLO, LIAM DORAN, JAMES DZIEZYNSKI, HUDSON LINDENBERGER, SONYA LOONEY, CHRIS VAN LEUVEN

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS PHILIP ARMOUR, SETH BOSTER, J.B. GREEN, ARIELLA NARDIZZI

DESIGNER/ART MANAGE R REBECCA CENCEWIZKI art@blueridgeoutdoors.com

ADVERTISING + BUSINESS

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER HANNAH COOPER hannah@elevationoutdoors.com

SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE MARTHA EVANS martha@elevationoutdoors.com

BUSINESS MANAGER MELISSA GESSLER melissa@elevationoutdoors.com

CIRCULATION INQUIRIES circulation@elevationoutdoors.com

DIGITAL MEDIA

ONLINE DIRECTOR

CRAIG SNODGRASS

DIGITAL EDITOR

RYAN MICHELLE SCAVO

PUBLISHED BY ©2022 Summit Publishing, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

SUMMIT PUBLISHING

Where will your bike take you this year?

DOUG SCHNITZSPAHN

I’m committed to driving less and riding my e-bike more— especially for all those short trips around town.

HANNAH COOPER

My bike (and my toddler's balance bike) will mostly be taking us to the playground and the park.

CAMERON MARTINDELL

I see lots of days at the bike park and—if I'm lucky—I'll get on the Monarch Crest Trail again this year.

TRACY ROSS

Definitely bikepacking, hopefully in Idaho.

CHRIS KASSAR

I’m stoked for my first real bikepacking trip (camping and no town or gas station resupplies).

PHILIP ARMOUR

The joy of having an old GMC camper van is never having to plan. We just load up with food and outdoor toys and amble across the Intermountain West.

ARIELLA NARDIZZI

I’ll be opting for foot travel instead this year, and plan to explore the innumerable high peaks of Colorado and lush greenery of the Pacific Northwest.

DEVON BALET

I will be traveling Asia in May to film The Messenger's Journey This documentary will follow a local Bhutanese man as he rides his bike from Bhutan to Everest Base Camp, where he will be handed a bottle of snow from the summit.

AARON BIBLE

My bike will likely take me around the state, the country, and the globe this year, hitting as many gravel races and events as I can get away with.

PETER KRAY

I have a one-speed Schwinn Cruiser that looks like the Batmobile. It's perfect for riding to the local for a cold pint.

BEAT UP THAT BIKE

by DOUG SCHNITZSPAHN

Iam not very nice to bikes. But look, that’s a good thing. My first mountain bike was a fully-rigid Giant Iguana, circa 1989 or so. I was working in a restaurant in downtown Boston and used the thing mostly to get back and forth to work (and I only got doored twice commuting through the city). One day a coworker suggested we go mountain biking after our shift—“use these bikes for what they were designed to do.” But they weren’t. Not really. We did have fun on them, though. We braved traffic and pedaled out to a spot just outside of the city where broken glass and used needles were bigger dangers than drops on the trail and rode something approaching singletrack. Bikes could do this. We scraped on rocks, broke rear d erailleur s, and snapped chains—but did we ever enjoy the thrill and the rebellion of bringing our bikes out here. I still don’t know if they were even technically allowed. Mountain biking was still a fringe sport in places like Crested Butte. Medford, Massachusetts had bigger problems to worry about than some punks riding bikes on rocks.

When I moved out West, I brought my bike. At first, I only explored cow paths and old roads, but soon I had the experience of real singletrack. Soon I upgraded to a bike that could provide a bit more—the classic Schwinn Moab, with grip shifters. I put that ride to the test. Living in Seattle, I met Isaac Stokes who would soon not just become a dear friend but also a dedicated riding companion. I was in grad school; Isaac sort of in law school. We both had a lot of time on our hands. And, oh, did I do some damage to that poor Moab. A chain tool became our

best friend and we spent what little income we had on endless tubes as we explored the Cascades from Enumclaw to Ellensburg and snake-bit countless tires along the way. But between the breakdowns, there was so much joy. Truly, there’s nothing like finding the flow of singletrack. You let the bike follow the trail, just sort of trimming the breaks. And there is the joy of getting deep into the mountains, where you really are not sure if a bike can go, and sometimes stopping and taking in the waterfalls and the views of volcanoes covered in glaciers. And sometimes breaking down and not being stressed about it. Just pull out the pump and tire irons and enjoy the respite. At least that’s what we told ourselves. Somehow, I roped my wife, Radha, into this lifestyle too. When we moved to Lyons, Colorado, we lived right next to Hall Ranch. She had an inexpensive Specialized city bike. “Sure, you can use it as a mountain bike,” I told her. And for some reason, she believed me. When we rode Fruita for the first time, I was going to stop her from coming down a rocky spot on that thing—but she was already down. That bike rode the Monarch Crest. She didn’ t know or care that it was not the right bike. Until, of course, she did get a real mountain bike—and wanted to kill me.

Some of this may be hyperbole and I now pedal advanced, beautiful bikes on the trail, bikes made for the job. But there is something I miss about the spirt of beating up a street bike in a place it really wasn’ t made to go. There’s still some of that in the way I ride, I guess. I get out there. I push it. I find joy in the absurdity of biking in the woods. I don’ t really advocate being mean to your bike. But I do hope you get out on the trail, on the gravel, and push it. Literally. A good push is good for the soul. Or so you say when your bike breaks down.

LIV LOVE: RADHA MARCUM FLOWS THROUGH GOBLIN VALLEY SINGLETRACK.

EMBRACE THE JOY OF GETTING OUT BEYOND YOURSELF.

DESERT IS SERVED

MEET SLOT—THE AUTHENTIC OUTDOOR BRAND WITH A FOCUS ON DESERT ADVENTURES THAT WE HAVE ALWAYS NEEDED.

Moab local Dave Schipper has been a big friend of this magazine over the years: He’s been there at the end of epic rides to pick us up in a shuttle; he’s set us up with guides; he beat us down on the singletrack; and he’s even given us essential beta on the backcountry. Now, after decades working as a product designer for big brands including Black Diamond, The North Face, and Salomon, he’s launched his own venture: Slot (slot-usa.com). So far, the highlight is award-winning packs made for canyoneering and featuring the ability to set up a single-rope system (a canyoneering godsend) straight out of the pack. But Schipper has bigger plans to grow Slot into a full “desert brand,” something that—surprisingly, considering just how many of us get out and play in the desert—doesn't really exist right now. Slip on Slot’s Cataract shorts and cozy La Sal fleece, and you can tell they were designed by folks who spend a lot of time playing in the red rock. “Eleven million people came to Utah’s desert national parks last year,” says Schipper, “and we are here for them. We're just a desert brand. Doing desert things.” —Doug

Schnitzspahn

DAVE SCHIPPER AND LOCAL GUIDES SPENT EIGHT YEARS PERFECTING THE USER-FRIENDLY SRS SYSTEM IN SLOT’S GUIDE 50L, RAPIDE 38L, AND CANYON 25L PACKS. IT ALLOWS FOR EASY ROPE MANAGEMENT AND QUICK RAPELS WITHOUT THE HASSLES OF RECOILING EACH TIME YOU NEED THE ROPE.

PLAN YOUR RAFTING ADVENTURE NOW

DREAMING OF SPRING AND SUMMER WHITEWATER? THE SEASON IS SETTING UP TO BE ONE FOR THE AGES.

THIS WINTER, DAVID COSTLOW

felt as encouraged as he could remember in 10 years. “It's been snowing, and it's been cold enough to keep the snow,” says the executive director of the Colorado River Outfitters Association. He’s encouraged because the snowpack and spring rain will swell whitewater around the state. Now it’s time to dream about which rivers to hit.

Northgate Canyon

Outside Walden, the North Platte River plunges into the granite realm of Northern Colorado’s remote Northgate Wilderness. The canyon section spans 11 miles, ending with a steep hike out. Add another day or two and reach the hot springs of Saratoga, Wyoming. Length: Full day; Routt

Access put-in to Six Mile Gap Class: III–IV; kayaks to 14-footers

Yampa River

It’s one of the most coveted permits out there—“and for good reason,” says Alex Mickel, founder of Mild to Wild Rafting. The river is steeped in legend, guarded by sandstone walls that hold the ancient remains that give Dinosaur National Monument its name. Eventually converging with the Green River, the 71mile venture is highly sought and rafters hope for runoff to deliver into early June. While the lottery permit period is closed, unclaimed permits become available again in March. Length: Four-five days; Deerlodge Park put-in to Split Mountain. Class: II–III; kayaks to 18-foot rigs

Dolores River

Unlike the Yampa, the Delores does not require a permit. However, like the Yampa, this segment is cherished for its wild,

remote beauty and rarity. Take it from Bill Dvorak, who's been boating the West for decades: “The Dolores is on top of the bucket list.” McPhee Dam has long kept water from the river. The Dolores has been further strained by drought. “If you hear it's gonna run, you just gotta be ready to go,” Costlow says. Also be ready for the notorious Class IV–V Snaggletooth rapid. Otherwise, it's a mild journey amid forest and red rock. Length: Full day to full week; common three-day from Bradfield Bridge to Slickrock. Class: II–IV; kayaks to 18-foot rigs

Gunnison Gorge

Unknown to outsiders, locals around Montrose have historically known this as an otherworldly escape reached via horseback. They’ve known this as the “Gunny” and also “the little Grand Canyon.” And, yes, you might want a steed. Anglers typically pay packers to haul boats and gear down to the

Gold Medal waters. The mile-long hike will “beat you up,” Dvorak warns. But the 14 river miles won’t disappoint. Length: Two-three days; from Chukar Trail put-in to Gunnison River Pleasure Park. Class: II-IV; kayaks to 14-footers

San Miguel River

If the Dolores doesn't work out, this could be an alternative in the state’s southwest. The intimate, slender river meanders through sandstone canyons and pine woods, with chances in between for big-mountain vistas. In the early season, the river tends to be swift and twisting but never stressful, “so you can cover a lot of miles,” Mickel says. Length: From half-day to multiple days, with several launching points. For an introduction, Mickel recommends putting in at Specie Creek Recreation Site and taking out at Beaver Creek, about 9 miles. Class: II–III; kayaks to 14-footers —Seth Boster

TECHNOLOGY GEAR WE LOVE BOOKS

ILLA APP

For many women, finding other women to get outside with has been a barrier that keeps them from trying new activities or even following their known passions. The ILLA app is designed to help women find other local women keen to go hiking, mountain biking, skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, climbing, running, dirt biking adventures, and more. FREE | WEAREILLA.COM

NØRRONA LYNGEN

Made with incredibly lightweight and durable Gore-Tex Shake Dry fabric, this jacket weighs just 10.6 ounces. It’s ideal for ski touring thanks to the X-open Ventilation front zipper and incredible fabric breathability.

$649 | NORRONA.COM

WILD PATAGONIA

After traveling to Patagonia in 2012 and 2022, author Anthony Garvin, an environmental attorney and photographer, collected 150 of his images to show the awe inspiring grandeur of Patagonia to help bring awareness—for conservation and travel—to this remote land.

$56 | WILDPATAGONIABOOK.COM

BACK FROM THE DEAD

COLORADO’S QUIRKY, macabre event, Frozen Dead Guy Days, will be reborn in Estes Park March 17–19, after 20 years of celebration in Nederland. The kooky festival pays homage to a Norwegian man, fondly known as Grandpa Bredo, who was cryogenically frozen after his death. His body still resides in a Tuff Shed in Nederland to this day. The tale, which garnered worldwide attention, has since sparked a popular three-day festival that includes live music, coffin races, fashion shows, a polar plunge, food trucks, and a brain freeze contest.

When festival organizers announced the event would be canceled in 2023 due to outgrowing the event space in Nederland, Stanley Hotel owner John Cullen took action. The show must go on—hence the festival’s move to Estes Park, a tourist destination that could elevate the weirdness while staying true to its roots.

While Grandpa’s preserved body will remain in Nederland as an official resident of the town, the festivities will see a new life in Estes. So come get weird and enjoy the bizarre happenings of the new Frozen Dead Guy Days on St. Patrick’s Day weekend. Organizers promise all the original festivities that fans have grown to know and love, plus special Estes Park twists.

—Ariella Nardizzi

EAT PLAY STAY: ESCALANTE, UTAH

PERCHED AT THE TOP OF the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, the town of Escalante is a solid drive from the Front Range (10-ish hours!), but it’s worth skipping the crowds of Moab to explore this remote desert landscape. We based ourselves at the new Yonder Escalante (stayyonder .com) lodging.

EAT

On-site at Yonder Escalante, a food truck fills pangs of hunger with easy access. Stumble from your overnight abode for fruit and yogurt or made-from-scratch breakfast burritos. The food truck shuts down at 11 a.m., so you’re on your own for lunch. There’s only one grocery store in town, Griffin's Grocery & General Merchandise, (30 W. Main St. in Escalante,

435.826.4226) and it’s only open from 8 a.m.–6 p.m., so plan ahead if you’re going to be out in the wilds for lunch. For dinner, there are a few restaurants in town and in the region (Hell’s Backbone Grill in Boulder, Utah, is a must if you are willing to drive). But if you would like to stay in for the night, Yonder Escalante offers a fun, fully supplied cook-your-own-dinnerover-your-open-fire experience Entree options range from dryrub BBQ chicken, local steak, and vegetarian. The meal comes complete with side dishes like veggies, sweet potatoes, and soft delicious dinner rolls (which also warm nicely in their foil packet over the fire). The whole shebang is actually already precooked sous-vide, so all you have to do is throw it in the provided cast-iron fry pan and warm it all

up. Our family of four ordered two kits, and it was plenty. The “room service” is requested via text message, and the team at Yonder was prompt to fill all of our requests (extra firewood, dinner rolls, etc.).

PLAY

From Escalante, the desert is your oyster. Just on the other side of town from Yonder Escalante, Hole-in-the-Rock Road offers easy (albeit bumpy) access to a plethora of excursion options, including Bighorn Canyon, Cedar Wash Arch, Zebra and Tunnel Slot canyons, Harris Wash, and—at the very end (for the particularly ambitious)—Instagram-famed Reflection Canyon on Lake Powell. We chose, however, to continue west from town and visit the stunning and very kid-friendly

FROZEN DEAD GUY DAYS FINDS NEW LIFE IN ESTES PARK.

EXPLORE THE SECRETS OF THE COLORADO PLATEAU IN STYLE.

MAKE A SPLASH: A TRIP ON THE SAN MIGUEL SCORES BIG SMILES. (OPPOSITE PAGE) DESERT STYLE: YONDER ESCALANTE DOES RUSTIC CHARM RIGHT. (ABOVE)

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: COURTESY THE NOMADIC PEOPLE (X2), JOIHN BERRY

Willis Creek Slot Canyon just south of Cannonville. This out-and-back hike can be as long or as short as your crew chooses, but to see all the prime narrow sections of the canyon expect a 2 1/2-mile round trip—though it goes longer if you’re keen. With barely 300 feet of elevation loss on the way down and the creek mostly dry, it was easy for the kiddos, and they also enjoyed exploring the towering walls and narrow slots.

STAY

Yonder Escalante is a fun mix of clean and cute small cabins, fully remodeled and well-appointed refurbished Airstream trailers, and full-hookup RV pads and tent sites. One of the main differences are the modern and, indeed, luxurious bathhouses—they even have beautiful indoor/outdoor showers. There’s a pool, hot tub, and a vintage “drive-in” theater with classic cars permanently parked as seating. While Yonder Escalante does welcome children, the cabins and Airstreams only have one queen bed, so we ended up with one of each and split up for the night. Yonder Esclante is open mid-March through mid-November.

—Cameron Martindell

GRIND IT, BABY!

DON’T MISS THESE THREE GRAVEL RACES THIS SPRING.

THE SEASON IS ALMOST HERE, and we are pumped to sign up for these three dirty showdowns.

Desert Gravel, May 14

With five different course options, this race explores the lonely dirt roads along the Colorado-Utah border. It’s big and empty and epic, and the race organizers put a premium on having fun. desertgravel.com

Colorado Gravel Grinder Championships, June 17

Trinidad has positioned itself as the epicenter of Colorado’s burgeoning gravel scene, and this race is the place to prove your unpaved dominance. coloradog ravelgrinderchampionship.com

Big Horn Gravel, June 23–25

Want to push your lungs to the limit? This 85-mile ride with 10,500 feet of climbing is sure to test your mettle—and winners split $10,000 in cold, hard cash. bighorngravel.com

More Fun & Kicks, Year 26! 05.12-14.23

The Fruita Fat Tire Festival is one of the nation’s longest running, non-race Mountain Bike events; focused on celebrating bikes, gear and trails.

Additionally, this year’s festival is collaborating with CO2UT Desert Gravel to host additional Gravel Riders over the weekend and will be working to bring Gravel related manufacturers and vendors to the festival as well. Come enjoy western Colorado’s beautiful spring sunshine, world-class trails/gravel roads and enjoy food, drink and music with friends, old and new.

YOUR PASSION FOR CYCLING IS OUR PASSION TOO… LETS GO RIDE!

at fruitafattirefestival.com

YOUR VERY OWN GRAND CANYON

This isn’t hiking as you know it. It’s fl ying via heli into a bucket list location to amble among ancient glaciers and scale the Zillmer Canyon Via Ferrata. Free from crowds, roads and limitations, CMH Cariboos delivers an unforgettable adventure that inspires a new point of view.

CMH CARIBOOS PHOTO BY ROBIN O’NEILL

“WE’RE BUILDING SOMETHING THAT'S BROADER THAN JUST A TRADE SHOW, AND THE CONSUMER ASPECT IS A KEY PART OF IT.” —CONOR HALL, COLORADO OUTDOOR RECREATION INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT

TRADING PLACES

IS COLORADO OR UTAH THE HUB OF THE OUTDOOR UNIVERSE? WITH TWO MAJOR TRADE SHOWS—OUTDOOR RETAILER AND THE BIG GEAR SHOW— SWAPPING LOCATIONS BETWEEN THE STATES—THE OUTDOOR INDUSTRY IS STRUGGLING TO FIND ITS CENTER.

by ARIELLA NARDIZZI

This winter, Outdoor Retailer, the outdoor industry’s largest global B2B trade show, relocated from Denver to Salt Lake City. Meanwhile, The Big Gear Show—an innovative, joint festival with ebike show e(revolution) that boasts a focus on engaging consumers—which launched in Utah, is moving to Denver. The swap has left the community asking an important question: Which location is the epicenter of the outdoor industry? Both states have an omnipresent hand in the outdoor universe.

Colorado is known for its worldclass outdoor recreation and has a large number of gear companies headquartered in the state, including industry leaders La Sportiva, Scarpa, The North Face, Rab, and Osprey.

Colorado’s outdoor recreation

generated $11.6 billion in economic activity in 2021, leading the nation as the top contender in the snowsports industry, according to a federal report by the Bureau of Economic Analysis.

“[Outdoor] is a community industry built on collaboration, working together, and having fun outside. [But] there’s some sentiment that’s changing, that something’s missing,” says Conor Hall, director of the Office of Outdoor Recreation Industry. “We would really love to fill it, and Colorado is the perfect state to do that.”

However, Utah is also home to major outdoor retailers like Black Diamond, Backcountry.com, and Salomon and it boasts a thriving outdoor recreation scene. The state’s recreation contributed more than $6.1 billion to the economy, a close second behind Colorado in revenue.

Outdoor Retailer Returns to Utah

Outdoor Retailer returned to Salt Lake City for its 2023 Snow Show after a five-year stint in Denver. The show, which called Utah home for 20 years, made a momentous decision to relocate in 2017 due to the rollback of national monument designations for Bears Ears and and parts of Grand Staircase-Escalante.

Concerned Utah’s leaders were not

sufficiently protecting public lands— the very lifeblood of the outdoor industry—the show’s move was a message to the state government to encourage a more proactive approach of preserving designated lands.

The popular trade show accrued about 40,000 visitors and $45 million to Salt Lake City each year prior, according to a news release from Emerald Expositions in 2017.

After its move to Colorado, despite the disagreement, “OR” decided to return to its former longtime location in Salt Lake City, citing a need to “push back, not pull back” when it comes to its commitment for change. The show also attributes its strong partnership with community champion Mayor Erin Mendenhall—a policymaker committed to clean energy and public lands preservation.

“Doing nothing gains nothing,” says Larry Harrison, former brand development director of Outdoor Retailer and Lifetime Achievement recipient. “The mayor of Salt Lake County called for help and support. Utah, they have to battle for every single thing they get.”

Outdoor Retailer has promised to commit revenue from its events in Utah over the next three years to funding outdoor recreation programs and efforts to protect public lands, as well as meet biannually with Salt Lake City officials, public lands leaders and industry stakeholders to discuss policy and allocate resources to protecting

natural lands as part of their Business with Purpose initiative.

“The return to Utah included our desire to have a seat at the table and engage in discussion on important recreation and conservation topics,” says Jeff Davis, group vice president of Emerald - Action Sports. “Ultimately, the decision involved many factors, but the overriding reason is this is what the majority of the industry wanted.”

The decision has had a cool reception among some factions of the industry, however. Critics argue the show’s move in 2017 was a significant gesture of protest, and that returning to the state now sends mixed messages. Others view the show’s return as a capitulation to the state government, which has not changed its stance on public lands since the show left town.

In protest, many industry-leading brands, such as Patagonia, REI, and La Sportiva, petitioned against the return and announced they would boycott the show if it moved back to Utah.

“Last year we signed the letter stating that if the OR show moved to Utah, we would not attend so long as the elected delegates of Utah continue their assault on public lands and the laws designed to protect them,” says Jonathan Lantz, president of La Sportiva North America. “We simply

BLUE PERIOD: THE COLORADO CONVENTION CENTER WILL SEE A SWITCH IN SHOWS.

are putting our money and attendance where our mouth is in this situation.”

Despite these controversies, Outdoor Retailer remains optimistic about its return to Utah, and believes the show has a lot to offer when it comes to growing the outdoor recreation industry.

“We’re committed to driving positive change and are dedicating resources to making progress and protecting natural resources,” says Davis.

A New Show In Town

Although Outdoor Retailer has left Denver, the city is making room for a new trade show with consumers at the center of it all. Inclusivity, affordability, and experiential education are the three main pillars of Denver’s newest trade show, The Big Gear Show and (e)revolution.

In a first-of-its-kind venture, the two shows are coming together to reinvent the wheel. Kenji Haroutunian, The Big Gear Show trade show director, says the event focuses on the various silos of outdoor sports, bringing them together to educate, collaborate, and experience gear by industry professionals and consumers.

“We’re creating a national gathering place, a thought leadership platform,” says Colorado’s Hall. “We’re building something that's broader than just a trade show, and the consumer aspect is a key part of it.”

The Big Gear Show is different from traditional trade shows in virtually every way—by design. The structure of the show will include two days of original B2B retailing, with a transition zone that will then flow into two days of the consumer experience, which focuses more on experiential learning opportunities with the gear.

“The whole model of The Big Gear Show is to make a more affordable, accessible platform that allows the experience of actually taking, and testing, a product in the great outdoors,” says Kenji Haroutunian, trade show director of The Big Gear Show.

With an expansive 90,000 square feet of floor space, The Big Gear Show is dedicating half of its show to an experiential zone, which will include a climbing wall and test track and other hands- and feet-on learning opportunities with the gear.

“We’ve seen smaller experiential elements built into shows before. But this is an entire show just for people to get on an e-bike, run on an uneven trail, or use vertical climbing gear,” says Haroutunian. “We want them to have the opportunity to test out gear in a controlled space, surrounded by experts of the product, rather than learning on the spot in a harsher environment.”

Attendees can maximize their time with a joint experience at (e)revolution, North America’s first trade and consumer show focused solely on ebikes, a cause bike show director Lance Camisasca says will revolutionize the fast-growing ebike industry.

“I spent my entire career in the cycling industry,” he says. “Being a dyed-in-the-wool cyclist, to launch a brand-new show that’s never been done before, that hasn't had this kind of diverse audience component before, and to do it at the right time in the right place? That gets me out of bed and ready to go every day.”

Although the equipment and brands may differ between the two shows, the common factor of inclusivity with an emphasis on boosting small businesses rings true in both show models.

In addition to offering a more affordable exhibit space for specialty retailers, Haroutunian says the shows offer a subsidy for specialty retailers to help lessen the overhead cost of attending a trade show, especially from out-of-town.

“Trade shows are for the small people to level up,” says Haroutunian. “If you're in the show with industry leaders, you get the same exposure, the same opportunities to prove yourself. This is the most equal the playing field will ever be.”

Consumers Remain Royalty

As the era of trade shows evolves, so does the model. Across the board, the outdoor industry is seeing new faces left and right, both on the retailer and consumer sides.

In the wake of the pandemic, many brands have found renewed value in face-to-face interactions. And the consumer is integral to The Big Gear Show’s mission. Allowing consumers to engage and attend is engrained in the fabric of the show’s making.

“The trade shows that I’ve been

part of for over two decades are built around a different model, a different era. We’re out of that era now,” says Haroutunian. “Let’s allow consumers to have a dialogue and a relationship with brands and retailers.”

Haroutunian believes the future of trade shows lies in the relationships with consumers. While The Big Gear Show will still provide that classic retailer experience, he hopes brands will present themselves in a more down-to-earth way, with consumers as the No. 1 priority.

“Focus on the people and the product, not as much on the presentation,” says Haroutunian. Through listening to customer feedback and providing new engagement opportunities while still maintaining their core values of commerce, community, advocacy, and celebration, Outdoor Retailer will also debut its first-ever consumer event, Outdoor Adventure X (OAX), in June at Snowbasin Resort.

Emerald recently acquired Lodestone Events, which runs Overland Expo, a series of vehiclebased, adventure travel consumer shows. The Lodestone team, with its expertise in consumer shows, will host OAX this summer.

“Emerald and Lodestone share a mission of championing outdoor recreation; there is a natural alignment between the overlanding and outdoor recreation,” says Davis.

With post-pandemic participation skyrocketing, and attendance up since Outdoor Retailer’s move back to Utah, the next step in the upward progression of the show naturally includes a public event through experiential on-mountain days.

“The goal of adding a consumer event is to enable consumers to directly touch, feel, and use products while empowering brands and retailers to connect directly with consumers in a beautiful location that lends itself to outdoor recreation,” says Davis.

The Epicenter of the Outdoor Industry

The swapping of locations for these major outdoor industry trade shows reflects the evolving nature of the outdoor industry and the increasing importance of emerging brands in the market.

Colorado and Utah will continue to play significant roles in working together to steer the industry. The outdoors is a major economic driver in both states, and the relocation of trade shows like Outdoor Retailer, The Big Gear Show, and (e)revolution to these states illustrates the growing importance of the outdoor recreation sector and its economic benefit.

“You always have some healthy interstate competition, but more than anything, we view each other as collaborators,” says Hall. “We work very closely with the Utah offices and want each other to succeed.”

With trade shows like Outdoor Retailer and The Big Gear Show on unique journeys to attract different audiences, both events promise a bright future for the evolution of trade shows in bringing together the latest innovations of the industry.

SHOWTIME: OUTDOOR RETAILER SETTLED BACK INTO ITS OLD DIGS IN SALT LAKE CITY (LEFT). THE BIG GEAR SHOW INCLUDES HANDS-ON CONSUMER EXPERIENCE (RIGHT).

URBAN LEGENDS

by PHILIP D. ARMOUR

You don’t have to fight traffic or leave the funky confines of Denver and its ’burbs to find outdoor adventure. Just follow this advice from the new book 111 Places in Denver That You Must Not Miss (Emons, 2022) in these playful excerpts—and soothe your outdoor fix close to home.

1. Ruby Hill Mountain Bike Park

Ruby Hill in south Denver was once used by Native Americans as a lookout for hunting buffalo. This rise above the South Platte River is easily Denver’s best view of the mountains. Gold-fevered miners in the mid-1800s discovered what they thought were rubies here, and even though the redhued gems turned out to be common garnets, the name stuck.

Since 2016, when construction began for the Levitt Pavilion, this has also been the location of Ruby Hill Mountain Bike Park. Smooth and undulating, the pump track loops past the skills course, a clever jumble of rock causeways, ladder bridges, and banked turns for more technical riding. The dirt jumps have helpful transitions for practicing big air and experiencing gravity in surprising new ways. But the slopestyle course is the park’s crowning achievement. Not too difficult, this series of fabricated ramps

and wall rides, berms, rollers, and tabletop jumps are designed to up-level anyone’s riding skills.

2. Plains Conservation Center

Stand in the vast grasslands east of Denver and it’s easy to feel like a forlorn Nebraska homesteader. These dry rolling plains are in the rain shadow of the Rockies, which also makes the primary trail here, a 5-mile loop, silky-smooth and great for trail running. It’s a common brag that the sun shines 245 days a year in Denver, but the geography that accounts for this—midcontinent high-elevation unobstructed landscape—also makes it windy—like real windy. So layer up!

The center has purchased close to 9,000 acres around the state for plains-habitat conservation, and this 1,100-acre site has a maze of hiking trails across it. Bring binoculars to fully grasp the scope. It’s also fun to spy the fighter jets circling overhead on their way to and from Buckley Air Force Base, a mile or 2 north. The center houses a collection of historic farm equipment and village of Cheyenne-style teepees, plus an interpretive building staffed by a biologist, who gamely traffics student groups and visitors.

3. Hudson Gardens

Hudson Gardens and Events Center

in Littleton is a 30-acre paradise of delicate gardens, lily-filled ponds, and whimsical sculptures. Gentle trails wend past shaded ponds, and all seem to lead to Nixon’s Coffee House, where road bikes and cruisers lean against trees, winter or summer. Nixon’s edges the Mary Carter Greenway Trail (aka the Arapahoe Greenway), which runs 8 miles along the South Platte River from Chatfield State Park north to Englewood. It’s basically flat and

connects to many other bike trails, so expect traffic (baby strollers, dogs, runners, etc.). The speed limit is 15 mph, so no interval training here.

After sipping your macchiato at Nixon’s, follow your buzz to the buzz. The mellow hum of 25 beehives among the gardens (housing nearly 100,000 bees!) creates a soothing acoustic bath at one of the only community apiaries in Metro Denver. Cleanse your psyche here in true shinrin-yoku style, the trending Japanese practice of forest bathing.

4. Confluence Park

In some ways, Confluence Park is the spiritual heart of Denver. First opened in 1975, this is where the South Platte River and Cherry Creek join before meandering east to engorge the Missouri River. This abundance of water is why a scrappy supply town was built here in the first place. After discovering gold, white settlers muscled out the local Arapahoe, cherry-picking this confluence on the dusty plains. Thoughtless building in the floodplain led to a series of deadly floods over the next 100 years, before a $20-million restoration in the early 1970s cleaned up the old cars, appliances, and toxic waste.

Today, the city’s fantastic bike trail system radiates from here, including the 36-mile-long South Platte River Trail. Confluence Park—a jumble of cement steps, benches, and walking bridges— is a welcoming place to hang out and enjoy riparian splendors amid the urban bustle. Dog walkers and strolling lovers abound, though it can get sketchy at night. In spring and early summer, snowmelt increases the river flow, and kayakers nimbly surf the rapids.

5. Rocky Mountain Arsenal

A former chemical weapons manufacturing facility, Rocky Mountain

Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge is a sterling example of environmental remediation done right. For 50 years (from 1942 to 1992), U.S. Army personnel worked here to cook up increasingly horrific ways to kill people by perfecting a deadly suite of war chemicals: sarin, mustard gas, napalm, white phosphorous, chlorine gas, and lewisite. Yet, incredibly, this 16,000acre refuge is essentially wildland today, laced with 23 marked trails, including the 16-mile perimeter trail. Just 8 miles from downtown, the Refuge is now a lovely parkland. More than 330 species of animals roam about—including bison, raptors, black-footed ferrets, coyotes, deer, and white pelicans. It’s a strange juxtaposition to enjoy the peace and wildlife knowing that chemicals now banned by international treaties were produced here. The federal government, U.S. military, State of Colorado, and the petrochemical industry collaborated to pay for cleanup. Most of the old buildings have been removed and the soil remediated. Native plants flourish.

DENVER GONE WILD: YOU CAN FIND A LOT OF SPACE—AND ADVENTURE—IN THIS CITY.

GET OUT ON FIVE OF THE BEST TRAILS IN “PARIS ON THE PLATTE.”

History. Heritage. Craft CULTURE. The Great Outdoors. Sheridan is The Nature of the West. 1.1

million acres of pristine wildland in the Bighorn National Forest, encompassing 1,200 miles of trails, 30 campgrounds, 10 picnic areas, 6 mountain lodges, legendary dude ranches, and hundreds of miles of waterways. The Bighorns offer limitless outdoor recreation opportunities.

101

restaurants, bars, food trucks, lounges, breweries, distilleries, tap rooms, saloons, and holes in the wall are spread across Sheridan County. That’s 101 different ways to apres adventure in the craft capital of Wyoming. We are also home to more than 40 hotels, motels, RV parks, and B&Bs.

seasons in which to get WYO’d. If you’re a skijoring savant, you’ll want to check out the Winter Rodeo. July features the beloved WYO Rodeo. Spring and fall are the perfect time to chase cool mountain streams or epic backcountry lines, race the Bighorn Trail run, and more.

Sheridan features a thriving, historic downtown district, with western allure, hospitality and good graces to spare; a vibrant arts scene; bombastic craft culture; a robust festival and events calendar; and living history from one corner of the county to the next.

BLACK JOY

AS THE FOUNDER AND CEO OF OUTDOOR AFRO, RUE MAPP HAS GROWN A THRIVING NETWORK OF BLACK OUTDOOR LEADERS, ADVOCATES, EDUCATORS, ATHLETES, CONSERVATIONISTS, AND ENTHUSIASTS. HER NEW BOOK, THE NATURE SWAGGER CELEBRATES A WIDE RANGE OF BLACK AMERICANS FINDING AND SHARING PURPOSE, PLACE, AND HAPPINESS IN NATURE.

by DOUG SCHNITZSPAHN

Rue Mapp founded Outdoor Afro as a blog in 2009. She wanted to create a unique and authentic way to speak to and about the Black experience in the outdoors but, at the time, that was non-existent. Mapp had grown up on a ranch in California, hunting and fishing, with a love of nature deep in her blood. And in 2009, she wanted to grow the idea of how Black Americans experience, share, and find joy in nature. Over the past 14 years, Outdoor Afro has blossomed into a nationwide phenomenon, with a cross-country leadership team of more than 100 volunteers building a vibrant community and training Black outdoor leaders from all walks of life. Her new book The Nature Swagger: Stories and Visions of Black Joy in the Outdoors (Chronicle Books, 2022) shows just what finding this place in nature that Outdoor Afro cultivates looks like, telling the stories of Black Americans of all pursuits and ages and backgrounds across the United States. She recently sat down to talk with EO about the book and the Black experience in nature.

What is Black joy in the outdoors?

Over the last 14 years since I founded Outdoor Afro, I’ve been hammered with this viewpoint that Black people don’t have a relationship with the outdoors, that our history is only about pain and slavery and we are a community that needs to be rescued and taught and rushed to the altar of conservation practice and policy. Outdoor Afro in a lot of ways has said “time out.” As I have grown in this professional expansion of Outdoor Afro, I have realized that my story is not unique. This is why elevation of those Black

nature narratives—especially through our collaboration with REI [a collection of apparel and footwear] over the last year—is so important. We need to curate the narrative of a lineage of Black participation and economic contribution in the outdoors that has been completely obscured.

The hope and optimism of what it means to be Black in America is a very important part of our story. If you only focus on just the peril and the pain, then you don’t know the Black experience. The Black experience that my work lifts up stands on the shoulders of people like my own father, who pioneered from the American South to Northern California and created his own oasis to share and teach others how to be in connection with nature.

That tradition is actually a lot more widespread than I even knew growing up. Just look at the history of places like Lake Ivanhoe in Wisconsin, Oak Bluffs on Martha's Vineyard, and Lincoln Hills in Colorado—these were places of purpose for connection in nature, as well as healing, that were created in the middle of some of the worst times of the Black American experience, notably Jim Crow, when Black people could not go to the beaches, clubs, or outfitters and resorts of their choosing.

But they valued the outdoors so much that they created their own spaces. These are places that had the equipment, the guides, the lodging, the innkeepers—all contributing to an outdoor economy as we know it today. So we need to have a much more sophisticated conversation of what it really has meant in this country to be Black and connected to the outdoors and how we can build on this real history and tell a different kind of narrative.

There’s such a deep connection to nature in Black art and culture.

It’s in our music. It’s in our art. Think of Aaron Douglas and even Billy Holiday using a tree as a metaphor [in the song “Strange Fruit"] for protest. It’s always been there; it’s been in our songs that we sing in church; it’s been in the records we played on turntables— Marvin Gaye’s, “Mercy, Mercy Me” beautifully outlines his concern for ecology. There’s all that history that is super important to help us remember.

When you talk about what Black people don’t do or what we lack, it really boxes you in a corner. You can’t build on it. But when you talk about, you know, our agency and joy and determination, then that to me feels like bedrock. It speaks to the empowerment that we have as an American collective. And that is the aim—to help Black people move from the exceptional space to the ordinary and to continue to normalize that people have a connection to nature and it’s going to look different depending on who you are.

How do you see Black conservationists

reimagining the narrative of how we view and protect public lands?

A lot of these public land battles are, interestingly enough, in places where Black people used to be prohibited from being. In the Ozarks, for instance. I think we have to also lay bare where some of these regions are, how far they

I THINK WE NEED TO HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT THAT DOESN'T EXCLUDE WHAT IT MEANS TO BE CONNECTED TO EACH OTHER.

are from where Black people actually live today. We have to do a better job of helping people find what I would consider a reasonable connection to these places so that we can develop the kind of care and connection that currently isn’t there.

I’ve heard people—especially over the last seven years or so—talk to me about the need to protect this place and that place, places that Black people, one, have never heard of, two, were probably prohibited from ever being a part of. And so I think conservationists as a whole need to do a better job of explaining why and to educate themselves about the disrupted history that not only Black Americans but also Native people experience. What does it mean for people to have an empowered, knowledgeable connection to these places today?

What does “the nature swagger” mean to you?

I’m a big fan of the neighborhood walk. If you want to get connected to your biome, go walk in your neighborhood. If you do it at least a few times a week year round, you’re going to be in touch with the changes of the seasons.

You’re going to hear different birds, at different times of the year; you will see plants, flowers, and blooms at different times of the year. And then you’re also going to get to know your neighbors. I think we need to have a conversation

about the environment that doesn't exclude what it means to be connected to each other.

To me, this is the definition of nature swagger. It’s a lived experience that’s informed by the dynamic elements of nature that, in turn, inform you how you live your life, and the confidence that comes with that. It’s the anticipation and excitement that comes from anything from gardening in your backyard to the bike rides that you plan at different times of the year. But it’s also just having that knowledge of what’s possible and living into that possibility as the cycle of life continues to be expressed through nature. That, to me, is a universal ask. But it’s one that, because of my experience, I'm speaking to specifically as a Black person.

I feel like we can learn a lot from nature. Nature gives us the blueprint for equity. It’s not something that you’re going to learn in a workshop. When I’m in a hunting blind with people who live in places that one would think are very conservative, close-minded places, the bonds and camaraderie that I’ve experienced with people who have a very different lived experience with me in those scenarios has been priceless and humbling. I have connected with people that I’ll probably stay connected with for life because of our shared experience in nature. Nature gives us a platform to have much more elevated experiences with each other as humans.

What are you most proud of when it comes to The Nature Swagger book?

This book was not meant to highlight only the most accomplished people, or only the ones we all know about. It was kind of like a party—like, who do you invite to your dinner party?

Through this work, I’ve always been able to celebrate the diversity within. This book is focused on the Black American experience. Black is not a monolith. For me, it was like a quilt of people who each brought their own little nugget of joy. And what was so cool about it was not everybody thought that they should have been in the book—this is how bad it’s gotten. But I identified those who I thought had a contribution to make, and I brought them along. I was really thinking about inclusivity. Also, my background is in art history, so I understand intimately how important visual representation is to tell stories, how they record the attitudes and technologies of a time. So I wanted this book to have accessibility across literacy levels, so that if you're six years old, you're going to open the

book and see a swimmer who’s around your age—or you could be middleaged, single, married, or an elderly person, and you will find someone who is telling a part of your story.

ALL HANDS ARE ON DECK IN CRESTED BUTTE WHERE PRESSURE FROM CROWDS WANTING TO EXPERIENCE THE GOOD LIFE IN A MOUNTAIN TOWN MEAN LOCAL GROUPS NEED TO FIND CREATIVE WAYS TO KEEP THE DREAM ALIVE.

by J.B. GREEN

THESE DAYS IT SEEMS THAT ONCE

idyllic mountain towns like Crested Butte are under pressure at every turn. Pressure from visitation. Pressure from more and more people who can work remotely or retired early and want to live the dream. Pressure from reduced housing availability due to Airbnb and VRBO. All of it begs the question—how do these small, towns cope? How do they keep the soul that makes them desirable spots to live in the first place?

As the executive director of the Crested Butte Mountain Bike Association (CBMBA), Dave Ochs is making sure locals mitigate the impact of crowds on Crested Butte. “In 2003 I joined the board. We were all volunteer until 2016. I was the first executive director, and the creation of that position was one of the reasons we were able to create paid staff positions,” he says. “A director can put time and effort into fundraising. In addition, the director is also responsible for finding grants, soliciting community support, and putting together a full-time trail crew.

Who Can Save the Soul?

One of the first things we did was create the Crested Butte Conservation Corps (CBCC). It was a direct answer to trails getting overcrowded. In addition, it’s a vast trail network that needed more tending to. The Forest Service doesn’t have the resources to handle it. We started the Conservation Corps to show people we believe in stewardship, maintenance, and upkeep.”

CBMA is not alone. Several other entities are also working proactively to manage the challenges of increased visitation. “Although many visitors want to do the right thing, many are unfamiliar with Leave No Trace ethics, which leads to impacts on the environment such as camping in areas that have sensitive natural resources, driving off roads, and unattended campfires,” says Joseph Carlson, acting recreation staff officer for the Gunnison Ranger District of the United States Forest Service (USFS). “There is no one to pack out visitors’ trash or pets’ waste. It is the responsibility of visitors to be good stewards. Unfortunately, garbage and waste are left in the forest. In addition, there are impacts due to overcrowding.”

The visitation surge shellshocks businesses in town too. “It puts pressure on our retailers and restaurants at a time when they are having trouble filling their positions,” says Bill Ronai, president of the Gunnison-Crested Butte Tourism and Prosperity Partnership (TAPP). “In 2020 the increase put pressure on campsites and trails. There were people who had not spent time in the outdoors, and they went outdoors.”

According to TAPP Executive Director John Norton, “We’ve seen the biggest increase in the past five or six years— primarily in the summer.”

It’s not only the number of visitors that’s problematic, it’s the attitude of many of them. “Entitlement is another problem,” Ochs says. “It’s difficult with as much work as we do to provide education and information. There is a basic etiquette that we would hope precedes someone visiting. But there are people who visit, think of it as vast open space, and then do what they want because it’s open land. Folks create camping spots, put roads where there aren’t roads, trespass, and leave gates open. In some folks’ eyes, they just didn’t know it. There is a mix of malicious entitlement and naïve entitlement. There is simply a lack of knowledge of proper etiquette. That leads to conflicts with local ranchers and land owners.”

When asked about resource damage on USFS land, Carlson says “we see escaped campfires, development of non-system routes, and sanitation problems. Also, trash being left in the forest, as well as pet waste.” When it comes to camping issues specifically, he says, “new sites continue to pop up as visitors simply add more campsites to each designated spur or illegal route, usually in undesirable locations. Fire scars and fire rings proliferate in these areas despite regular camp cleanups with volunteer groups, paid staff, and interns. Responding to unattended and escaped campfires

is a regular occurrence. This situation has created an undesirable user experience due to crowding. Again, this is why the designated campsite model was implemented.”

In addition to the challenges caused by increased visitation, the rise in housing costs has greatly affected the ability of local employers to retain employees, creating a demand for housing that simply can’t be met. “Another issue we face is local workers establishing summer residency in the forest,” says Carlson. “Through establishing residency is illegal, it is occurring at a substantial rate and contributing to numerous impacts. In addition to increased human waste and resource issues that stem from continual occupancy, residents who occupy Forest Service lands for the summer occupy desirable campsites and force visitors to push out into unimpacted areas in order to find a suitable campsite.”

In a vicious circle, the rising cost of living has also affected the CBMBA’s ability to retain volunteers. “It’s been more difficult finding local help,” says Ochs. “For the volunteer part, we’re still doing well. Most volunteers live in Crested Butte, but we have a good percentage of second-home owners who volunteer. We have some front range supporters as well, but 75-80% is local.”

TRAIL MAGIC: LOTS OF VOLUNTEER WORK ENSURES CB'S TRAILS FLOW OH SO NICE.

These multiple challenges have motivated the USFS, Gunnison County, the CBMBA, and a variety of other local entities to work together to address them. “Through CBMBA and the CBCC, as well as our own initiatives under the heading of ‘destination management,’ resources have been put into educating the public, as well as funding the CBCC,” says Ronai.

“We saw a record number of campers in 2020,” Norton adds. “That led to designated camping spots in five of the valleys in summer of 2021. So many mountain bikers come here that the trail maintenance and restoration has become a bigger focus, led by the CBCC and the National Forest Foundation (NFF). The NFF manages a variety of funding sources, including the Gunnison Stewardship Fund, [which] is funded locally by businesses and outfitters in the valley, along with national contributors. We are able to increase funding for CBMBA by flowing their money through the NFF. TAPP used to donate money to CBMBA, but by giving the money through a donor advised fashion to NFF and telling them to earmark it for CBMBA, they have matched the donation, so the CBMBA gets more funding.”

“We didn’t have the infrastructure in place to accommodate the increased visitation—trailheads, bathrooms, signage,” Ochs says. “These challenges were compounded with COVID-19. 2020 was an explosion of visitors. Trailheads popped up where there weren’t trailheads. We did a lot of work at the

beginning of 2021 to prepare for this year [2022 and beyond], including designated camping spots in all of the drainages.”

One of the priorities of the USFS has been trying to contain the impacts.

“The Gunnison Ranger District (GRD), alongside our partner CBCC, has implemented designated campsites,” says Carlson. “Years of dispersed camping along Forest Service roads has resulted in resource damage, escaped campfires, development of non-system routes, and sanitation problems. Although GRD had taken actions in the past to try and manage dispersed camping, due to the ongoing impacts and increase of visitation, a model similar to other forests was developed to designate campsites. This work would not have been possible without our local partners in the Crested Butte area. The designation of campsites and requirement for visitors to camp only in numbered sites ensures that sites are sustainable, away from riparian areas, and eliminates the development of additional campsites in undisturbed areas. The installation of fire rings at each campsite, and requirement to have campfires only in metal fire rings, reduces escaped campfires, eliminates multiple sprawling fire rings, and encourages campfires of an appropriate size. Clearly defining available campsites and access routes also curtails the proliferation of non-system routes.”

One of the most impactful changes when it comes to local entities working together has been the creation of

the Gunnison County Sustainable Tourism and Outdoor Recreation Committee (STOR), which is facilitated by Joe Lavorini, the Gunnison County Stewardship Coordinator.

“The committee was born out of One Valley Prosperity Project (OVPP). That project set priorities for county and community leaders for the next 10 years, says Lavorini. “There were four areas of focus—affordable housing, economic resiliency, sustainable tourism and outdoor recreation, and community health. OVPP Partners created an action plan that led to the creation of the county sanctioned STOR committee in 2018. There are currently 22 representatives on the committee. STOR membership currently includes the USFS, BLM, Colorado Parks & Wildlife, the National Park Service, Gunnison County, Gunnison County Tourism & Prosperity Partnership (TAPP), Gunnison County Metropolitan Recreation District, the Chamber of Commerce, Vail Resorts, as well as user groups including ranchers, environmental advocates, mountain bikers, and water managers. The local municipalities of Mt. Crested Butte, Town of Crested Butte, and the City of Gunnison are also members. At-large members of the public participate as well. The goal is to be a community body that includes as many perspectives as possible. Supporting funders include Colorado Parks & Wildlife and Great Outdoors Colorado. The latter requires matching contributions, which come from the Gunnison County Stewardship Fund,

managed by the NFF. The Stewardship Fund is a pot of funds that’s supported by about a dozen different community business donors. These businesses are critical to supporting local organizations and our public lands. The money then gets doled out through grants to trails projects, habitat projects, facilities, and infrastructure.”

It was STOR that drove the process of creating dispersed camping in 2021. “We had a subcommittee that worked through that,” says Lavorini. The committee decided what amenities were needed and which drainages to focus on. STOR worked with the Forest Service and local partners. CBMBA were the boots on the ground. STOR secured funding and communicated with the public. The County hired the STOR Corps to monitor the camping change and to survey the public on how well it’s working.”

Mo untain towns have never faced more pressure when it comes to housing availability, the cost of living, and visitation numbers. Thankfully, motivated residents continue to get involved to address the challenges. “Visitation is increasing; we’re meeting it head on,” says Lavorini.

So who can save the soul of mountain towns? In Crested Butte, now more than ever, it’s all hands on deck.

ALL HANDS ON DECK: CBMBA VOLUNTEERS AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR DAVE OCHS HAVE THEIR WORK CUT OUT FOR THEM.

WE STARTED THE CONSERVATION CORPS TO SHOW PEOPLE WE BELIEVE IN STEWARDSHIP, MAINTENANCE AND UPKEEP. —DAVE OCHS, CBMBA

CO2UT, COLORADO TO UTAH AND BACK! “Like no other gravel on Earth”

05.14.23

WHAT IS DESERT GRAVEL?

Newly discovered, seldom ridden, incredible roads throughout the Colorado Utah borderlands. This year CO2UT is collaborating with the Fruita Fat Tire Festival to host additional Gravel Riders over the weekend and will be working to bring Gravel related manufacturers and vendors to the festival as well. Come enjoy western Colorado’s beautiful spring sunshine, world-class gravel roads and enjoy food, drink and music with friends, old and new.

Co2uT offers a race distance for everyone! Choose from 30, 50, 75, 100 and 125 miles! Register at desertgravel.com

SPIN CYCLE

THE SEASON IS ON AND HERE’S OUR BETA ON THE BIKES THAT WOWED US, PLUS ACCESSORIES TO UP YOUR EXPERIENCE ON THE RIDE.

by DOUG SCHNITZSPAHN

1. Ventum GS1

Utah brand Ventum, which began making bikes for triathletes, tested this sleek machine in the high reaches of the Uinta Mountains. The key here is stability with tested geometry that keeps this ride stable at the speeds you want to hit racing or just feeling the freedom of cruising distant dirt. A variety of componentry builds mean you can match you goals to your budget. $3,999 and up; ventumracing.com

2. Liv Devote Advanced 2 Be Good Edition

Liv has been perfecting women’s fit in its bikes and the gravel-specific Devote series scores points for both comfort and handling on rugged terrain. For this particular edition, Liv teamed up with racer Rebecca Rusch and her Be Good Foundation, which uses bikes to promote empowerment and humanitarian service across the globe.

$3,000; liv-cycling.com

3. Priority 600X Adventure

We have been big fans of Priority’s belt-drive commuter bikes for years. This baby takes that break-down-proof technology and its powerful crank response and puts it into an efficient, fun bikepacking machine with an enclosed Pinion C1.12 gearbox. Don’t just believe us, local Boulder hero Ryan Van Duzer used this aluminum ride to tackle the Continental Divide trail from Mexico to Montana. $3,500; prioritybicycles.com

4. Alchemy Arktos 125

Golden-based Alchemy upped the ante in the latest version of its standby steed—adding 5mm of travel to the popular Arktos 120. We love the Flip-Chip in all the Arktos models that lets you switch the bike from cruising to eat-it-up modes. Looking for one mountain bike to do it all but not wanting to go too deep into debt? Look no further. $3,999 and up; alchemybikes.com

5. Reeb Steezl

Reeb was born out of Oskar Blues Brewery but it has evolved into one of the most innovative cycling manufacturers out there. The brandnew Steezl proves that point—this 155mm steel enduro bike that can handle everything big and nasty. The secret? The light, tough aluminum Horst-link rear end that features CNC’d rockers and a polygonal CRT rocker interface give this baby lots of guts without cutting down on flair. Plus, Reeb offers a wide range of build and customization options. $6,695 and up; reebcycles.com

6. Canyon Neuron CF 8

You won’t find more bang for your buck when it comes to mountain bikes meant for lapping out singletrack than in this dependable, sleek stallion. The triple

phase suspension gives it beef on the uphills and plenty of cushion on the downs and the Shimano componentry offers a lot of performance for the price. We see a lot of readers opting for this ride. $2,999; canyon.com

7. Yeti SB140

This is Colorado: We all dream about pulling up to the trailhead with a Yeti and then hammering our friends and any innocent bystanders. Here’s the bike to finally make it happen. With— no surprise—140 mm of travel, the sexy SB140 delivers smooth, strong pedaling when you climb and easy suspension when you flow. A range of build kits made to fit your aspirations mean you can be sure you get the perfect fantasy bike. $6,400 and up; yeticycles.com

8. Canfield Yelli Screamy

Oh, how we appreciate the joy and simplicity of a hardtail. Fruita-based brand Canfield crafted a champ in this bike that can take on small drops and loose rocks without all that suspension in the back. The truth is this short-travel 29er can run with more souped out (and expensive) rides just fine if a hardtail is your jam. It’s not, you say? Hop on. $3,600; canfieldbikes.com

9. Econic One Adventure

Made to conquer gritty miles, this e-gravel-bike scores big points for rides off into the great unknown. The 7.4-pound Bafang M410 mid-drive motor delivers 500W of peak power and 80Nm of torque, meaning it can power up big, ugly climbs with a battery that gives 60 miles of range when fully charged. Bonus: It handles like a much lighter bike on the downs. $3,099; econicone.us

10. HOVSCO HovAlpha

Looking for something to run errands and beat around the bike path? This fat ebike is just the ticket, with seven gears and up to 80 miles of range on a charge. The brushless gear hub motor gives you 750W and 85Nm of power, enough to get out and crush dirt roads and (legal) trails too. $1,999; hovsco.com

11. Wolff Ursa Major

Cut down on all those silly, gas-guzzling car trips with this cool commuter ebike. Big tires and relaxed geometry equal lots of comfort on the bike path or the road and the throttle means you can just kick back when you need a rest. Whole Foods, here we come. $2,459; wolffebikes.com

12. Ride1up Turris

Built with upright geometry and hydraulic brakes, this bike can take you far and wide. The 60 Lux front headlight keeps you running in the dark and beefy, anti-puncture tires help keep you from breaking down. Upgrade it with racks and baskets and you can keep your car in the garage for a long time. $1,295; ride1up.com

ACCESSORIES

1. Gravel Adventure Field Guides

We love these beautiful pocket field guides—with destinations in Colorado including Trinidad/Las Animas County, Pueblo, and the San Luis Valley—set you up for exploration on dirt roads far from the maddening crowds. They include recommended rides with GPS coordinates and maps as well as personal stories and beta meant to make you feel welcome in the local cycling community. $7–$11; graveladventurefieldguide.com

2. Pearl Izumi Women’s Summit Jersey

Breathable and quick-drying this airy mountain bike top will be your best friend on the singletrack (and even looks nice enough to wear out for a coffee or beer after). Bonus, the drop tail keeps out mud and means it won’t sneak up your butt mid-ride. $60; pearlizumi.com

3. Camelbak M.U.L.E. 5

The fanny pack has gained prominence for mountain bikers, since it stays out of the way and carries all you need. Equipped with a 1.5-liter reservoir, this pack will keep you hydrated and carry tools, shell, and snack without a lot of overkill. $90; camelbak.com

4. Kitsbow Tempest Merino Tight

Yes, every gear review ever tells you that merino wool regulates temperature, staying cool when you are hot and insulating when you cool down. That ability is just what you want in a bike tight for the varying temperatures of a Colorado day. Plus, the fit here is sleek and flattering. Men’s version is called the Rockstacker. $219; kitsbow.com

5. PunchGunk Pain Relief

It doesn’t matter how old you are, the aches and pains can bring you down. Using natural ingredients like aloe and kava and Menthol, this salve is something you will want to apply both before you get on the bike and when you are home watching the new season of Succession $15; puchgunk.com

6. Sweet Protection Bushwacker 2Vi MIPS

MIPS technology and shock-absorbing

EPS mitigate the chance of concussion and brain injury should you crash— but we hope you don’t and enjoy the airy, light feel of this helmet that, you know, could save your life. $250; sweetprotection.com

7. Ripton Men’s Bike Pant

Denim, baby! But not the hot, nasty, un-stretchy stuff. These jeans were designed for riding bikes, with plenty of stretch and articulated knees (that can fit pads). It’s the ideal apparel for guys who want one pant for the trail and the brew pub (and maybe the job). $120; riptonco.com

8. Yakima Hang Tight 4

This vertical hitch rack makes it simple to haul a whole family’s bikes without the hassle of a big, long back rack that sticks out in traffic and parking spots. It will carry fat bikes and kids’ rides and works well with smaller cars. $999; yakima.com

9. MountainFlow Bike Maintenance Kit

MountainFlow blew the minds of the Shark Tank judges with its eco-friendly ski wax. It did even better here with a full box of bike maintenance gear that’s both green and effective. The kit includes lube, polish, towels, and even a nifty bamboo bucket to hold it all. $130; mountainflow.com

10. Smith Attack Mag MTB

Plenty of coverage and Chroma Pop lenses that define your surroundings in bright sunlight while protecting your peepers make these light shades our go-to glasses whether we are on singletrack or eating up gravel. $269 and up; smithoptics.com

MOVE IT

IT’S TIME TO SHAKE OFF THE WINTER BLUES AND HIT THE GROUND RUNNING. LET US HELP YOU FIND THE RIGHT GEAR FOR WHERE YOU MOST WANT TO RACK UP SOME MILES THIS YEAR.

by DOUG SCHNITZSPAHN

1. Scarpa Ribelle Run GTX

Designed for the type of loose, rocky, rooty, and generally tough terrain that’s par for the course when trail running in the high reaches of the Rockies, this shoe serves up stability and confidence. The 4mm drop is just enough for a bit of cushion without subtracting feel and the solid Presa outsole sticks to all that ugly stuff underfoot. And the Gore-Tex liner and sock fit keep out at least some of the wet elements. $199; scarpa.com

2. Hoka Mafate Speed 4

You can always count on Hoka to deliver underfoot comfort, and this sleek shoe for those who like to hit it hard on the trail is no exception. The low-profile cushion bed is not as plush as some of the brand’s other offerings, making the shoe more quick and responsive, and the Profly+ midsole delivers explosive performance on tricky trail surfaces. Also, a Vibram Megagrip outsole provides plenty of traction. $185; hoka.com

3. Scott Ultra Carbon RC

Built for the rigors of ultra racing and training, this carbon-plated shoe combines the lightweight and durability necessary to tackle daylong distances. Built with an innovative swallowtail design, that carbon plate actually stiffens as you run faster and eases up when you slow down. That kind of responsiveness in a shoe not only helps you keep pace and navigate tough terrain, it also helps prevent injury. Add a bit of rocker for more roll on your foot strike and you have the perfect weapon for long-distance endeavors. $230; scott-sports.com

4. Altra Rivera 3

This road runner brings trail ingenuity to the pavement. It’s the ideal shoe for those who want to mix in some road training with trail running or just want to get out for a run a few days a week. The Altra Ego midsole and balanced cushioning makes it comfy and bouncy with each step. And breathable mesh keeps your dogs cool when you are pounding out miles. $140; altrarunning.com

5. Saucony Endorphin Elite

These race-day road shoes were designed to suck up the pounding of the pavement thanks to an energy efficient design that will help propel you to your fastest times. Credit that performance to super-responsive PWRRUN HG foam and a propulsive carbon plate. $275; saucony.com

6. Roark Motorhead Bless Up Trail Shirt

Seminal British metal band Motorhead is the perfect soundtrack for gut-itout runs. This techincal button-up performance shirt will tell everyone on the trail you know the lyrics to “Orgasmatron” and it offers four-way stretch. $95; roark.com

7. Tracksmith Thaw Long Sleeve

Merino is the key to the cozy feel and high performance of this long-sleeved running shirt. Bolstered by a wicking eco-friendly finish that sheds mud and wet, it’s made for those cold ugly days when you are just getting back in your training groove or refusing to be kept from your run by bad weather. $118; tracksmith.com

8. Tailwind Active Hydration

Every runner knows that hydration and nutrition are the all-important backend necessities of the sport. Tailwind gives you both in this tasty mix— flavors include cherry acai, strawberry lemonade, tangerine grapefruit, and tropical orange—with electrolytes, collagen, and vitamin C. Hydrate pre-run or load up your bottle for long rambles. $21; tailwindnutrition.com

9. Ultimate Direction Fastpack 20

Big mountain adventure runs require gear since things can get crazy in a hurry. Ultimate Direction has been the gold standard when it comes to packs that jive with your torso as you move fast over tricky terrain. And this smart hauler, with water bottle holders up front and straps for trekking poles, will be your best friend when you tackle big endeavors. $150; ultimatedirection.com

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CHAIRLIFT CONFESSIONAL

THE THINGS PEOPLE TELL YOU ON THE MOUNTAIN MAY LEAD TO MOMENTARY CONNECTIONS AND DEEP SPIRITUAL REVELATIONS—OR THEY MAY REAFFIRM HOW MUCH YOU HATE A CERTAIN SPORTS TEAM.

by PETER KRAY

I SHARED A CHAIRLIFT WITH an older guy shortly after the NFL playoffs started this season. He saw that the liftie was wearing a San Francisco 49ers hat and said to him, “I hope your team beats the shit out of the Cowboys tomorrow.”

Then he turned to me and said, “Fuck the Cowboys,” as we started our ride up the mountain.

He told me that he gets to the ski area at 7 a.m. each day and reads in his car until the chairlifts open.

“What are you reading?” I asked.

He said, “The Bible.”

A CHURCH NOT MADE WITH HANDS

It was the great Norwegian explorer and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Fridtjof Nansen who said, “It is better to go skiing and think of God, than go to church and think of sport,” and the snowcovered slopes do lend themselves to spiritual revelations.

On the first lift I shared that same day, the woman beside me said, “I’m done with Christianity and organized religion.”

In the interest of going with the flow of the conversation, I said. “What are you going to replace it with? Paganism?”

She laughed and said, “Maybe some Middle Earth kind of thing. I am a bit of a hobbit. I just can’t stop thinking about what kind of knowledge that snake gave to Eve to have her kicked out of Eden.”

“I’ve got a different take,” I said, and this may well have been the fresh powder and anticipation of skiing talking. “I think we are still in Eden. We just don’t take as good of care of it as we can.”

The little lady laughed even harder. “You’ve never been to Detroit,” she said.

“Yeah,” the guy on the other side of her nodded. “Detroit is definitely not Eden.”

SOMETHING TO SHARE

It’s my favorite reason for riding single on the chair— you never know what you’ll hear if you take the time to listen. Riding over the slopes below I have heard people talk about the toughest times they have faced and how they grew from the experience—or not talk at all, just staring off into the white wonder of the mountains.

That day I rode with a Nashville session artist and his wife, who gave me a playlist of country stars he’d backed up in the studio and onstage, and I Googled up a whole new storm of music when I got home.

I met a young couple who had just moved from Minnesota with their dog because they could work remotely and wanted better skiing. And their laughter and enthusiasm for the new life they had inspired me for the rest of the morning.

The truth is that other than sitting on a plane, or a barstool, the local chairlift might still be the best place to meet someone you would have never met and hear a story you never heard before and start to learn a new life lesson worth learning.

All the random things I would have never heard before and the people who share them and the way they tell their stories—makes me feel that as soon as I pull down the safety bar and settle into my seat, a new story is starting.

KEEP LISTENING

In this column, I once shared the story of my great grandfather E. Austin “Skipper” Barnes, who lived to be 101.

Skipper was a lovely, talkative man, interested in everything anyone had to tell him. In a speech to his surviving Cornell University Class of 1899, delivered in April 1957, he said, “I look upon the years since 1899 as one long postgraduate course, majoring in human relations and the study of mankind. Being something of an extrovert, I have found that the yield has been substantial.”

On the chairlift now, I realize how I channel him. I offer the prompts and “then what?” support because of how fascinating it is to hear someone I’ve never met start to share a new—maybe not completely true—confession. Some breadth of beauty or drama or just some funny little story that, after that lift ride, might never be shared again.

It is living that is the miracle, my friends.

The love and the laughter of being in this moment as it happens. Especially in skiing. The cold on our cheeks and the touch of a warm hand.

The calm, sure sense of hope that begins every time the chair starts up the mountain again. And how I can’t wait to hear you say, “What a great day!” Then, like the first line in a new book, begin some new narration. Whatever you want to say, I promise to try and remember what you tell me long after our shared chair ride is done.

See you on the mountain.

—Elevation Outdoors editor-at-large

Peter Kray is the author of the God of Skiing. The book has been called “the greatest ski novel of all time.” Buy it here and read it now: amzn.to/35AfxlL

IT IS LIVING THAT IS THE MIRACLE, MY FRIENDS. THE LOVE AND THE LAUGHTER OF BEING IN THIS MOMENT AS IT HAPPENS. ESPECIALLY IN SKIING.

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Breathable waterproof protection you can pack away, attach to your bike frame and forget about, before throwing on when the elements conspire against you. The Cinder Phantom is the ultimate ally for fickle conditions, ensuring you never get caught out unprepared.