The Rec Path

In 1997, 1% for Open Space funded their first project. The organization that was started this same year granted the Crested Butte Land Trust $92,631.77 to help with the purchase of a conservation easement on the Robinson Ranch. The Robinson Ranch is located along the east side of Gothic Rd on the way from the town of Crested Butte to the town of Mt. Crested Butte. The property contains a residential building and many open pastures for agricultural use. However, the main reason for purchasing a conservation easement was to get the rights to build a public trail, the Rec Path. The Rec Path is a paved path connecting the town of Mt. Crested Butte and Crested Butte. It is skiable in the winter and ride-able and walk-able in the summer.

At the time, 1% for Open Space was a program of the Crested Butte Land Trust. The two conservation organizations worked together to secure some of the most overlooked yet most important open space in the Gunnison Valley. The Rec Path is a popular trail for visitors and a useful trail for locals. It provides off road access to Crested Butte or Mt. Crested Butte. It winds up the hillside along fields of wildflowers and is easily two people wide. For the north valley it is staple in terms of recreational access as well, connecting to the Lupine Trail and the trails on Mt. Crested Butte. The Town of Crested Butte, the Town of Mt. Crested Butte, Gunnison County, Gunnison County Stockgrowers Association, the Crested Butte Community School, High Country Conservation Advocates, Gunnison Legacy Fund and the Crested Butte Mountain Resort all supported this project.