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GARNA presents Stage & Rail master plan, asks county to help resolve private-access gap on historic route
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Summary
GARNA executive director Jessica Downey and volunteer planner Alan presented a Stage & Rail master plan that maps a 75-mile interpretive route across Lake and Chaffee counties, using historic Stage Road and Midland Railroad alignments and existing county and municipal roads.
Jessica Downey, executive director of the Great Arkansas River Nature Association (GARNA), and volunteer planner Alan presented the Stage & Rail master plan to the Lake County Board of County Commissioners, describing a 75-mile interpretive route that stitches together historic Stage Road and Midland Railroad corridors across Chaffee and Lake counties.
The presenters said the project emphasizes interpretation and preservation rather than building entirely new trails; it would use existing low-volume county roads, municipal trail systems and public lands where available. "This project is not building new trail. We are in fact, adopting existing low volume county roads and in some cases, municipal trail systems," Alan said.
Why it matters: the route would add heritage- and recreation-based tourism options to the county's offerings, link to the Mineral Belt Trail and Fremont Pathway connections, and expand interpretive opportunities for visitors. The presenters said a short pipeline/right-of-way crossing on private land remains the main impediment to a formal county designation covering the full proposed Lake County section.
Key elements and accomplishments
- Scope and route: GARNA described an approximately 75-mile Stage & Rail driving and bicycling route divided into eight planning sections that highlights historic stage stations, bridge remnants and Midland Railroad alignments. The plan uses a mix of county roads, town trail systems and public land routes.
- Funding and recognition: presenters reported roughly $155,000 in planning grants overall with about $55,000 in match; the project received an American Trails planning award and was identified as a Colorado 16 Trails program route. GARNA said signage and interpretive kiosks have already been installed in Chaffee County and that an interactive map and materials are available at stagerail.com.
- On-the-ground work: GARNA and partners described a volunteer-built underpass and stonework near Hayden (the High Lonesome Trail) that provides an under-highway connection to BLM and Forest Service routes. Alan detailed volunteer construction of gabion-style rockwork to avoid stressing an older culvert.
The outstanding access issue
Presenters said the only remaining barrier to formal county designation of the Lake County portion is a short segment that crosses private property and a pipeline right-of-way. GARNA needs written permission or a formal assurance from the landowners for that segment before the county attorney will recommend an official designation. Alan and Jessica asked for county help in securing that permission and for consideration of modest county oversight of the long-term route.
Next steps and county role
GARNA said it is prepared to supply signage designs, maps, and public engagement materials and requested that Lake County consider assisting in resolving the private-access segment and, after permissions are obtained, adopt signage and a formal designation to link local trail work with the broader Stage & Rail route. Commissioners thanked the presenters and asked staff to work with GARNA on technical questions about land status, possible county roles in oversight and next steps to achieve full route designation.
