Warmer weather and wildflower blossoms bring hikers to the Ute Pass area. Here are some tips, guidelines and opportunities to make the most of your time and desire to walk in nature’s beauty.
Green Mountain Falls Trail Maps
New GMF trail maps are available! The 20 miles of our trails and open spaces provide access to thousands of acres of national forest land. The free maps can be found at tinyurl.com/GMFTrailsMap2024, and can be used offline when the app and map are downloaded to your phone!
Friends of Ute Pass Trails
This group does stunning work to maintain and protect more than 20 miles of trails in the Green Mountain Falls area with countless hours of volunteer time. The group were honored as the 2023 Trails & Open Space Coalition’s Friends Group of the Year.
Rocco Blasi is president of this nonprofit operating with a robust board of directors. The friends coordinate a minimum of six workdays each season to keep trails beautiful and safe.
They also coordinate training for crew leaders and volunteers, maintain and supply tools, and provide first aid and CPR training to board members. The group works collaboratively to provide hikes during the Green Box Arts Festival, a pancake breakfast during Bronc Day and other special events.
For detailed trail information, go to greenmountainfalls.colorado.gov/recreation/gmf-town-hiking-information.
The Hiker Five
Messages such as “leave no trace” and “pack it out” are nurturing respect for the beauty of the land and sustaining trail health for future hikers. Many organizations have outlined trail principles, practices and behaviors to sustain our Earth’s beauty well into the future and to keep trails safe.In GMF, you’ll see Hiker Five signs to remind all those who enjoy the trails of some basics. They are: Be respectful by staying on marked trails, and packing out all dog and human waste; be prepared with water, eco-safe sunscreen, layers for the weather and proper hiking shoes; be informed research trail difficulty, grade, weather and conditions to decide which is the best trail for you; be courteous by keeping dogs on a leash and yielding right of way when appropriate; and be appreciative by respecting wildlife from afar and appreciating the quiet of the trail without interruption.
Trail Ambassadors
Trail use has increased over the years as Green Mountain Falls has become better known as a destination for hikers. The Trail Ambassadors volunteer group, coordinated by Nancy Dixon, provides accurate information for a high-quality experience and encourage safe and respectful trail use. To volunteer as a trail ambassador, contact gmftrailambassadors@gmail.com. For more information: greenmountainfalls.colorado.gov/recreation/trail-ambassador.
Cascade Trails
The Heizer Trail can be a challenging three-mile trail from Cascade over the top of Cascade Mountain. But you’ll be glad you accomplished it! You can see the small wooden trail sign to the east of the town park on Anemone Hill Road. Information: hikingproject.com/trail/7029364/heizer-trail.
Trail Closures
● Thomas Trail in Green Mountain Falls will be closed Mondays-Thursdays through the summer for fire mitigation work. Please obey the closure boundaries for the safety of both hikers and crews.
● The National Forest trail connecting GMF’s Catamount Trail through the Garden of Eden to North and South Catamount reservoirs is closed through spring 2026 for restoration and dam repair. The boundaries are secured and trespassers will be ticketed. Information: csu.org/southcatamount.
Green Box Arts Festival 2024
Monday, July 1, to Sunday, July 14
Full schedule available at greenboxarts.org
Registration is open to the public beginning at 9 a.m. Wednesday, May 15
Scott Levy, Green Box executive director, promises this year’s festival will be, “The most diverse and exhilarating to date, with an impressive lineup featuring multiple dance companies, esteemed musicians, Pulitzer Prize-winning authors, captivating art installations and a wealth of community-minded events and health and wellness offerings, along with a comprehensive array of exciting classes.”
Many events are freely offered. Ticketed events sell out quickly, so be sure to get online to reserve your space.
Friends of Ute Pass Trails 2024 Volunteer Workdays
Sunday, May 19
Saturday, June 22
Sunday, July 21
Saturday, Aug. 17
Sunday, Sept. 8
Saturday, Sept. 28
To volunteer: friendsofutepass@gmail.com or 719-331-3688
Send news and/or photos to
judypiazza@gmail.com.