STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, COLORADO- Positive mantras are blowing around Emerald Mountain and good will is flying with the work being done by the Parks & Recreation Open Space and Trails team on the reroute of Prayer Flag Trail over the next week to ten days.

“We want trail users to be aware of the activity going on,” said Open Space & Trails Supervisor Jenny Carey. “Please give crews plenty of space to complete the work without delays because you’re going to love it when they are done.” 

In the 2013 Emerald Mountain Master Plan, Prayer Flag Trail was one of several trails identified as needing improvement or re-routes. The re-route of Prayer Flag Trail was listed as an opportunity to improve the long-term sustainability of the trail and to enhance the user experience.

The current Prayer Flag Trail was built unsustainably as a fall line trail through a meadow. The tread is badly eroded and cupped, making it essentially impassable for trail users. A social trail has formed parallel to the cupped trail along the same fall line, and the multiple eroding treads are visible for the entire length of trail. A new sustainably constructed trail will provide a better and safer user experience with reduced maintenance.

 Staff from Parks and Recreation is utilizing light equipment to rough in the trail this week and will have assistance on the finishing work starting next week, August 3, from Rocky Mountain Youth Corps (RMYC). RMYC vans will be driving up and down Blackmer daily to reach the project site. Trail users should anticipate increased traffic on the trail in the morning and afternoon.

Funding for the project has been provided by Great Outdoors Colorado and the Trail Maintenance Endowment Fund.