ABOUT THE RIO GRANDE TRAIL

The Roaring Fork Transportation Authority manages the greatest portion of the Rio Grande Trail which runs from Glenwood Springs to Aspen, Colorado. The Rio Grande has 42 miles of continuous multi-use trail and is completely protected from vehicular traffic except at intersections. The Rio Grande Trail is a rails to trails project which is built in the Aspen Branch of the historic Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad. Train operations in the corridor ceased in phases, between the 1960s and the mid 1990s. In 1997 the right of way corridor was purchased with a combination of funding by local governments, Great Outdoors Colorado, Pitkin County Open Space and Trails, and the Colorado Department of Transportation. This presented an opportunity to explore both transportation and recreation solutions to Highway 82 congestion and trail connectivity challenges in the Roaring Fork Valley. In 2001, RFTA was formed and thus a dedicated funding source for transit and trails was created. RFTA now manages and maintains the trail corridor, in conjunction with Pitkin County Open Space and the City of Aspen, in their respective jurisdictions.

WHAT TO EXPECT
The Rio Grande Trail treadway is asphalt surfaced with some sections of concrete and compacted gravel. The pavement is 8 to 10 feet wide with soft surface shoulders of 2 to 6 feet. The trail is open to those on foot, those on horseback, and those using human-powered equipment such as bicycles, in-line skates and skateboards. Wheelchairs, both motorized and non-motorized, are permitted. Other Power-Driven Mobility Devices (OPDMDs) are permitted with restrictions.

Picnic tables and benches are provided at various locations, as are trash cans, recycle bins and dog waste stations. There is only one potable water source on the trail at the Basalt trailhead next to the Basalt Highschool, plan to bring your own water as there is no other water source along the length of the trail. Vault toilets are installed at the vicinity of Cattle Creek and Catherine Store Bridge. During the winter months, the trail is plowed when snowfall exceeds 3” between Glenwood Springs and Main Street, Carbondale. Other sections may be groomed for cross-country skiing or remain unmaintained.