May Mountain Memo

Photo by Conni Mahoney

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Responsible River Stewardship

Melting trails and swollen rivers has us excited to get outside this summer season. As land and river stewards, our aim is to work with our community around best practices for responsible recreating.

New Boat Launch
The new Slate River Boat Launch on Pyramid Avenue will be open to users this spring and summer. A grand opening and public art exhibition will be held on Wednesday, June 1 from 4 to 6 p.m. Please plan to enjoy this new amenity as the Town of Crested Butte continues to undertake restoration and improvements to the areas adjacent to the Rec Path Bridge this summer. Click here to learn more about this new put-in.

Voluntary No-Float
The Slate River wetlands are home to both year-round and migratory wildlife. In an effort to protect our local Great Blue Heron rookery during critical nesting times, a voluntary no-float period from now until July 15 on the Upper Slate is in place. This section covers the Slate River from Gunsight Bridge to the Slate River Boat Launch on Pyramid Avenue in town.

Land Trust Summer Field Trips

Mark your calendars with our summer field trips series! Get outside with the Land Trust and learn from local partners about the great work being done on conserved lands. All field trips are free, so email jessica@cblandtrust.org today to sign up for one, a few, or all of our outings!

Wednesday, June 22: Crested Butte Land Trust at Long Lake
Join Land Trust staff for a stroll along the recently conserved Long Lake. We’ll discuss the Land Trust’s history, hands-on field work, and more.

Wednesday, August 3: Coal Creek Watershed Coalition at Gunsight Processing Area
Join staff from Coal Creek Watershed Coalition for a tour of the Gunsight Processing Area and learn about water quality and restoration work.

Wednesday, August 24: Crested Butte Museum on Lower Loop
Enjoy a hike on the Lower Loop with staff from the Crested Butte Museum to learn about the history of the area, including the Smith Hill Mine that sits above Gunsight Bridge.

Monday, September 19: Dr. Rosemary Carroll at Gunsight Bridge
Learn from Dr. Rosemary Carroll about her research on streamflow and its response to snowfall. We’ll see a demonstration on flow measurements, learn about stream source, and discuss drought resilience versus vulnerability in a changing climate.

Partners in Conservation

Here, we highlight fellow organizations and businesses committed to preserving the open spaces that make our home so special. This May, the Crested Butte Mountain Heritage Museum hosted a history at home series to celebrate National Preservation Month. Enjoy the link below for a recording of the Land Trust’s executive director, Jake Jones, discussing present day ownership and restoration of historic mine properties including Peanut Mine, Peanut Lake, and Smith Hill Mine, which now all contribute to our current open space legacy.