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News: Opportunity to Participate in NPS Decision to Allow Mountain Biking in Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park may open a two-mile section of East Shore Trail to mountain biking; public comments are being accepted through March 3.

By John Fisch
February 4, 2014 Last Updated: March 14, 2026

13 comments

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(photo: International Mountain Bike Association)

Rocky Mountain National Park is considering allowing cycling on a two-mile section of the East Shore Trail near Grand Lake, CO. Citizens may comment in person at either of two public meetings: one in Grand Lake on February 11 and one in Boulder on February 24. They are also taking public comment via their website until March 3.

If you favor the idea of being allowed to ride this Colorado gem, click here for some helpful guidelines for providing comment.

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John Fisch

John has been mountain biking since the year 2000. He's traveled extensively across the USA, sampling the best mountain bike trails along the way. As a result, John topped the Singletracks leaderboard for "most trails ridden" for many years. He spent several years writing for Singletracks as a freelancer and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Sustainable Trails Coalition.

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13 Comments

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Greg Heil Colorado // 2008
Feb 4, 2014

@skibum , Awesome comeback quotation!

0 reply

Greg Heil Colorado // 2008
Feb 4, 2014

And yet there's still opposition: http://www.collegian.com/2014/02/rocky-mountain-national-park-should-keep-bikes-out/61697/

0 reply

grandlakejames Colorado // 2010
Feb 8, 2014

I like how he talks about this trail like it is in the middle of nowhere. It is located along a lake that has motorized boats on it. There are houses across the lake. It is so far from a wilderness experience. There will always be opposition. Make sure to post comments, we need as many positive comments as possible.

0 reply

Greg Heil Colorado // 2008
Feb 4, 2014

I like how he compares mountain bikes to a hotel... yeah, it's pretty much the same thing.

0 reply

AUTHOR

John Fisch Colorado // 2006
Feb 4, 2014

It is more valid to compare bikes to boots since studies show the impacts to be similar. If one doesn't belong in the back country, neither does the other.

Since the author chose to quote Edward Abbey, I will as well:
“A man on foot, on horseback or on a bicycle will see more, feel more, enjoy more in one mile than the motorized tourists can in a hundred miles.” -- Edward Abbey

0 reply

jkldouglas 2011
Feb 4, 2014

To be honest, this doesn't really surprise me. People have this idea stuck in their heads that bikes cause more damage, even though it isn't true. Until that thought becomes the minority rather than the majority we will continue to wage this war.

0 reply

jkey6 Georgia // 2010
Feb 28, 2014

I don't really understand how to make a "public comment" on their website. The only contact I think I can make is an e-mail. Also, the link on IMBA leads to a dead page.

0 reply

Michael Paul 2010
Feb 4, 2014

Two miles? Talk about a tiny foothold for advocacy! Sheez...

0 reply

grandlakejames Colorado // 2010
Feb 8, 2014

This is just a small part of a larger plan for the East Shore Trail. If approved, the next leg is nearly 4.5 miles in the Park and that will connect to a trail in the USFS that continues for an additional 6.5 miles. Total ride will be +/- 13 miles along Shadow Mtn Lake, the Colorado River and Lake Granby.

This two miles is the most important, without it the rest of the trail is just a dream. Let's hope it is approved.

0 reply

Jeff Barber Georgia // 1998
Feb 4, 2014

Fingers crossed that you're right Greg.

0 reply

Greg Heil Colorado // 2008
Feb 4, 2014

This has been my exact thoughts all along. They've been working on this for years!

However, what if Rocky Mountain National Park is using this as a tester, to see if it will be viable for other trails? And what if other parks continue this trend?

I'm optimistically hoping that this is just the tip of the iceberg...

0 reply

Jeff Barber Georgia // 1998
Feb 4, 2014

Yeah... and the Grand Lake side is not very accessible. You'll drive past all the amazing MTB trails in the Winter Park area before you get there. :)

0 reply

AUTHOR

John Fisch Colorado // 2006
Feb 4, 2014

Yeah, I think its important to take a long-term view here.

The short trail segment thing is actually kind of important. There are a number of places where great trails outside NPs dip into the park briefly, rendering the whole route nonviable for biking. If we can have success with two miles, then why not complete the Maah Daah Hey as it cuts through Teddy Roosevelt National Park, or even trails that detour briefly into the more remote parts of Yellowstone?

0 reply

Tagged: advocacy, national park, national parks, news, rocky mountain national park, trail, trails, trails

First published February 4, 2014 @ 10:25:22