Sugar Magnolia Trail Design (reroute)

Nederland, CO


The multi-use trail provides access to the popular West Magnolia trail system. Portions of the trail trespassed onto private property while the area. Significant tread erosion lead to soil loss and trail braiding. However the technical challenge created by erosion was appealing to a subset of users. Meanwhile, bark beetle infestation created thick hazard tree density.


ContourLogic designed three alternative corridors to re-route the eroding Sugar Magnolia trail. The new contour alignment vastly improves long-term sustainability. To address symptomatic braiding, portions are less technical, but it also offers more than a dozen opportunities for enhanced natural features to users craving challenge. Where rerouting was not feasible, large-scale stone-pitching armors a steep section of tread.


ContourLogic provided construction oversight and phasing to dovetail agency hazard tree removal and professional trail construction with volunteer finish and reclamation of closed routes. This project serves as pilot toward planning improvements for the entire 15-mile West Magnolia trail system.


Key Topics

  • Rolling Contour Trail
  • Reroute
  • Optional Trail Features (MTB)
  • Armoring and Corralling
  • Reclaimation

Timeframe

  • 2011-2012

Partners

  • Wildlands Restoration Volunteers
  • Arapahoe-Roosevelt National Forest
  • Boulder Mountainbike Alliance
  • Nederland Area Trails Organization