COLORADO

Colorado Trailhead Secured!
The Wilderness Land Trust receives its first Capital Acquisition Fund

The East Creek Drainage on the west side of the Snowmass Maroon Bells Wilderness Area is the prime access to one of the most popular wilderness hiking destinations. For good reason – It is spectacular!

It was also private property. Unknown by virtually everyone, the trailhead was located on the Out West Placer, a privately owned remnant of Crested Butte’s once thriving mining days. The property traverses the valley floor and a fence could have shut off the East Creek drainage, fouling access to West Maroon Pass, Buckskin Pass and one of the most beloved meadows of wildflowers. A home behind that fence could have been devastating; a year-round improved road to such a home transforming.

The Wilderness Land Trust stepped in to buy the property in 2000 and has just succeeded in transferring it to the United States, forever preserving it as a very popularly and essential trailhead supporting the Snowmass and Maroon Bells Wilderness. The ability of the Trust to act quickly and to work with Forest Service staff has enabled The Wilderness Land Trust to complete this transaction, in spite of drastic reductions in federal acquisition funds.

The Catto Charitable Foundation lent The Wilderness Land Trust funds to purchase the Out West Placer and has generously forgiven the loan, preferring to leave its funds with TWLT as its first ever Capital Acquisition Fund! Thank You to Jessica Catto and the Catto Charitable Foundation for this very generous gift. In these times of federal fiscal uncertainties, this fund will help us accomplish our mission by enabling us to take quick advantage of more opportunities to secure our wilderness areas.