Baxter Gulch

In 2010, 1% for Open Space granted Starr & Associates $45,000 for the purchase of a conservation easement on Lot 19 (11.35 acres) of Trappers Crossing to make the Baxter Gulch Trail feasible. The beneficiary, the Town of Crested Butte, along with other organizations that played a roll purchasing other conservation easements to make the Baxter Gulch Trail possible, are thrilled that this easement will be the final piece of the puzzle to make the Baxter Gulch Trail a reality.

1% for Open Space believes in supporting this project because of its creation of recreational access and because it relieves pressure on the local land owners and ranchers in the area whose land was once trespassed on because of it being the sole access to Whetstone Mountain. With the completion of the Baxter Gulch trail there is now access to Whetstone Mountain, the Carbon Creek Trail and the Para Mi Para Ti Trail which connects up to the Green Lake Trail. The Lot 19 easement also allows for a more sustainable and accessible trail to be built in the area. The timing for this project could not come sooner because this access to Whetstone was once public until it was purchased by the Trappers Crossing Association and in 1980 closed to the public. Since then there have been ongoing efforts to reopen Baxter Gulch to the public, and now, with the purchase of an easement on Lot 19 it will be possible!