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World-Class Trailhead Opens at Berthoud Pass
11/04/08
In a joint effort to provide access and information for the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDNST), a warming hut, planned interpretative signage and restroom facilities will open at the top of Berthoud Pass, Colorado on U.S. Highway 40 between Empire and Winter Park.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held at Berthoud Pass on Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 12:00 p.m. The ceremony will be open with guest speakers including the Forest Service Rocky Mountain Deputy Regional Forester; a representative from Colorado State Parks; Wally Piccone, Senior Program Manager of GOCO; and Steve Dudley, Executive Director of CDTA. After the speakers and ribbon-cutting, refreshments will be served.
The trailhead opening represents the strength of partnerships, with multiple volunteer groups as well as local, state and federal agencies aiding its completion. A partnership between Colorado State Parks, the U.S. Forest Service, the Continental Divide Trail Alliance (CDTA) and local communities was successful in securing a $375,000 grant from Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO). In addition, the U.S. Forest Service contributed $700,143 and the Continental Divide Trail Alliance coordinated more than $19,844 in volunteer support. Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) also assisted with the planning and development of expanded turn and merge lanes to promote visitor safety.
Berthoud Pass (11,314 feet) is one of the most accessible points of access for the CDNST and is less than a 45-minute drive from Denver, the largest metropolitan area along the entire 3,100 mile-long Trail. The pass is within an hour’s drive of approximately 4.5 million people. An average of 5,100 vehicles per day crossed the pass in 1995 and projections predict a rise to 8,200 vehicles per day by 2020. The new CDNST trailhead will encourage education, exploration and protection of this national treasure and of Colorado’s high alpine country.
Traveling on the CDNST from Berthoud Pass takes visitors into the rugged and spectacular Vasquez, James Peak and Indian Peaks Wildernesses, across 13,000 foot mountain peaks, and along the spine of the Continental Divide itself. The trailhead includes a plaza preserving the existing historic Continental Divide stone monument, a Continental Divide National Scenic Trail orientation kiosk, education and interpretive signs that tell the story of the Trail, a distinctive stone entry portal, a warming hut and restroom facilities.
In addition to CDTA, numerous volunteer groups have contributed to the completion of the Berthoud Pass trailhead including the Parker Rotary Club and Wilderness Restoration Volunteers.