Stairmaster

Durango will soon have a stairway to Hawk heaven. This Thurs., April 6, Trails 2000 will kick off work on the new “Project Sky Steps,” which will connect downtown to the Fort Lewis College campus by extending the Nature Trail steps. Once complete, the connect will include over 500 steps and gain over 250 feet in elevation.

“The town-to-sky connect will provide a wonderful walking route, commute to the college, and training stairway for runners and those looking for a workout,” Mary Monroe Brown, executive director of Trails 2000, said. “Steps are a choreographed urban experience, similar to a city street, and connect people to places. Many towns have steps that point locals and visitors to a great view or destination, and Durango’s town-to-sky connect will be just that.”

Other such famous stairways include the Manitou Incline near Colorado Springs, known as one of the most popular and challenging hikes in the area; or the Santa Monica Stairs in Los Angeles.

The stairs will take off from the top of the existing stairs and will not interfere with the current trail alignment.

In addition to this Thursday’s work, scheduled from 4 – 6:30 p.m., several trailwork days are planned for the stairs and as always, volunteers with strong backs and a good set of work gloves are needed. Several local businesses – including Russell Planning and Engineering, CrossFit Durango and CrossFit Catacombs – have already stepped up to the plate to sponsor trailwork days. Additional Sky Steps work days will take place from 4 - 6:30 p.m. Wed., April 19; Thurs., April 20; Wed., May 3; Wed., May 10; Thurs., May 11 and Wed., May 17.

Volunteers are asked to walk up the trail and meet at the 8th Avenue switchback of the College’s Front Hill. However, there is no parking on the 8th Avenue hill, and parking is limited in the neighborhoods below the Nature Trail, on 6th Ave. and 10th Street, so workers are encouraged to walk or ride to the trailhead. No experience is necessary but closed-toe shoes, long pants, long-sleeved shirts are. Trails 2000 will provide tools, instruction, water and snacks.

“We are so excited to kick off the Sky Steps project,” Trails 2000 Trail Crew Lead Emma Millar said. “We hope all trail users will join us to volunteer, making our work a true community effort.”

Put your back into it: Trails 2000 is seeking volunteers to help with the new town-to-college “Sky Steps” project near the Nature Trail.