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Planning & Engineering for a Multiuse Trail in RMNP TRB – Transportation and Federal Lands: Enhancing Access, Mobility, Sustainability, and Connections September 17, 2014
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Multiuse Trail – Rocky Mountain National Park
INTRODUCTION • Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) is exploring the possibility of
creating a new multiuse trail within the developed eastern portion of the park outside of designated wilderness
Photo Credit: NPS
• +/- 15 miles of non-motorized multiuse path
• Currently in the Environmental Assessment (EA) process
“Multiuse” – self propelled transportation such as bicycle, foot, baby stroller, snowshoe, cross-country skiing, wheelchair, etc.
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Multiuse Trail – Rocky Mountain National Park
BACKGROUND • Bear Lake Road reconstruction
• In a draft version of the Phase 2 EA (2007)
evaluated the potential of developing a hike-bike trail from Spur Highway 66 to Sprague Lake
• Superintendent - broadly consider the potential for bike trails in the developed eastern side of the park to connect with trails in the Estes Valley
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Multiuse Trail – Rocky Mountain National Park
BACKGROUND
• The rerouting of 1 mile of Bear Lake Road opened up the possibility of using a portion of the abandoned road for a hike-bike trail
• Opportunity to work with adjacent landowners for connection to local roadway network and future multiuse trails
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Multiuse Trail – Rocky Mountain National Park
BACKGROUND • Estes Park – Eastern
Gateway Community • 2009 Feasibility Study for a
Multiuse Trail
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Multiuse Trail – Rocky Mountain National Park
BACKGROUND
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Multiuse Trail – Rocky Mountain National Park
WHY A MULTIUSE TRAIL? America’s Great Outdoors (AGO) Identify outdoor recreation access and opportunities to improve public enjoyment of Federal lands NPS “A Call to Action” Connecting People to Parks • Expand the use of parks as places for
healthy outdoor recreation that contributes to people’s physical, mental, and social well-being
Green Parks Plan The NPS will identify ways that visitors can reduce the impact of GHG emissions from personal vehicles in parks
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Multiuse Trail – Rocky Mountain National Park
WHY A MULTIUSE TRAIL?
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Multiuse Trail – Rocky Mountain National Park
WHY A MULTIUSE TRAIL? CONNECTIONS
• Campgrounds
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Multiuse Trail – Rocky Mountain National Park
WHY A MULTIUSE TRAIL? CONNECTIONS
• Campgrounds • Visitor Centers
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CONNECTIONS
• Campgrounds • Visitor Centers • Park & Ride/
Shuttle
Multiuse Trail – Rocky Mountain National Park
WHY A MULTIUSE TRAIL?
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Multiuse Trail – Rocky Mountain National Park
WHY A MULTIUSE TRAIL? CONNECTIONS
• Campgrounds • Visitor Centers • Park & Ride/
Shuttle • Future Regional
Multiuse Trails
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Multiuse Trail – Rocky Mountain National Park
WHY A MULTIUSE TRAIL? • Meet the projected increase
in demand for access to recreational opportunities in the park
• Better accommodate bicycles
to encourage multimodal access to the park
• Provide additional/alternative
methods of transportation for access to and travel within the park
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Multiuse Trail – Rocky Mountain National Park
WHY A MULTIUSE TRAIL? • Reduce Vehicle Congestion • Minimize conflicts among
visitors
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PLANNING & ENGINEERING
Roadside Trail • Based on the 2009 feasibility study
Roadside & Overland Trail • Based on routes identified since
feasibility study and public scoping
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Multiuse Trail – Rocky Mountain National Park
Typical Detached Multiuse Trail
Typical Attached Multiuse Trail
ROADSIDE TRAIL
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Multiuse Trail – Rocky Mountain National Park
ROADSIDE & OVERLAND TRAIL
Typical Overland Multiuse Trail
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Multiuse Trail – Rocky Mountain National Park
TRAIL ALIGNMENT ALTERNATIVES & RESOURCE IMPACT • Reduce Vehicle Congestion • Minimize conflicts among
visitors
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Multiuse Trail – Rocky Mountain National Park
TRAIL ALIGNMENT ALTERNATIVES & RESOURCE IMPACT • Reduce Vehicle Congestion • Minimize conflicts among
visitors
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Multiuse Trail – Rocky Mountain National Park
TRAIL ALIGNMENT ALTERNATIVES & RESOURCE IMPACT • Reduce Vehicle Congestion • Minimize conflicts among
visitors
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Multiuse Trail – Rocky Mountain National Park
TRAIL ALIGNMENT ALTERNATIVES & RESOURSE IMPACT • Reduce Vehicle Congestion • Minimize conflicts among
visitors
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Multiuse Trail – Rocky Mountain National Park
RESOURCES OF CONCERN • Wildlife and Wildlife Habitat
• Bighorn Sheep and Elk at Sheep Lake
• Wetlands • Stream Crossings • Wetland Impacts at Alluvial
Fan in Horseshoe Park • Wilderness
• Intentionally avoid Designated Areas
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Multiuse Trail – Rocky Mountain National Park
RESOURCE IMPACT • Reduce Vehicle Congestion • Minimize conflicts among
visitors
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Multiuse Trail – Rocky Mountain National Park
ALIGNMENT GROUND TRUTHING • Slopes/Grades • Horse Trails • Road Crossings • Accessibility
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Multiuse Trail – Rocky Mountain National Park
NORTHERN
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Multiuse Trail – Rocky Mountain National Park
SOUTHERN
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Multiuse Trail – Rocky Mountain National Park
Contacts
www.rsginc.com
Contact
www.rsginc.com
Dirk Grotenhuis, PE, LEED-AP Transportation Engineer
