This year, the BCC is celebrating 10 years of trail work on the front range and beyond. If you’ve climbed outside on the Front Range in the last 10 years, you have likely stepped on a stone step placed by the BCC. None of the BCC’s trail program's work could have been achieved without help from our devoted volunteers, project partners, Land Managers, and, of course, your BCC trail crew members.
Over the 10 years, the BCC Trail Program has:
Worked with 7 Different Land Managers
Worked on 35 Different Projects Across 2 States
Hosted 22,274.25 Volunteer Hours Worth $745,964.63 Today
Placed 5114 Stone Steps
New Approach Trail to Blob Rock 2024
The History of the BCC Trail Program
In 2013, Roger and Bill Briggs, Mike McHugh, Ty Tyler, Mark Hesse, and JB Haab developed the concept of a full-time trail crew that could operate an entire season. These climbers worked together to develop a trail stewardship program centered on a professional trail crew managed and supported by the climbing community. Traditionally, stewardship programs driven by the climbing community had been ad hoc and limited in scope just as the early iterations of BCC’s trail stewardship program. It was determined that the sophistication and capacity of the BCC’s trail program would need to be significantly augmented to be able to support such an endeavor. Thankfully the Access Fund stepped in and offered Access Fund’s resources to achieve this level of operations for the BCC’s trail program until 2019.
With this partnership with the Access Fund, the FRCS (Front Range Climbing Stewards) now known as the BCC Trail Program was officially born. The celebration of the agreement between the BCC and Access Fund to collaborate on such an innovative program was overshadowed by the catastrophic flooding of the Front Range area in 2013 as well as the untimely death of Mark Hesse in a climbing accident. The scale of the damage produced by the flooding affected many of the steep and sensitive slopes where climbing presides. This damage caused an immediate need for stewardship of the already heavily impacted climbing resources.
In 2014 the program took off on its first projects. This humble program was supported by many individuals. Dedicated and tireless crew members, an endless corps of volunteers, BCC board members and funders, local and regional land managers, and many project partners completed what became an impressive maiden voyage and set the stage for what has become a highly innovative community-based stewardship program.
The First FRCS Trail Crew in 2014 Now the BCC Trail Program
Project Highlights From the Past 10 Years
Royal Arch, The Flatirons
The Royal Arch Trail in the Flatirons was the first major project that was undertaken by the BCC. This first year of work helped reroute a section of the trail that was destroyed in the 2013 floods. Since this first project at the Royal Arch Trail, the BCC has performed much more needed maintenance throughout the years, including in 2014 and, more recently, in 2021. This was the BCC’s first project working with Boulder OSMP, which helped earn the trust of what is now one of our closest land managers we work with today.
Darkside Boulders, Morrison
Large Staircase leading to the Darkside Boulders
The BCC’s Trail Program's high standard of trail maintenance became quickly recognized by land managers outside of Boulder and implemented at the Morrison Drakside bouldering area in Jefferson County. Impressive stone staircases were installed between 2015-2016. Before, there was a loose scramble to reach the boulders. Along with a stable trail to the boulders, several flat landing areas were also installed under some of the most popular boulders. This was the first project with JCOS, and it helped instill trust in the BCCs where we work. Since this project, the BCC has worked with JCOS at least once a year on a large project.
Scarface Wall, Indian Creek
The Boulder Climbing Community’s trail program has not only made a great impact on the Front Range with its amazing trail work but has also made an impact in the land of amazing crack climbing in Indian Creek. In 2018, some impressive work was completed at the Scarface Wall in Indian Creek. This project was in partnership with the Access Fund, High Mountian Institute, and the Monticello BLM Field Office. The work in Indian Creek shows the reach of the BCC beyond Boulder and the greater Front Range. The BCC has also done work at the Pistol Whipped area and Mill Creek over the 10 years of trail building.
Upper Dream Canyon, Boulder Canyon
One of the BCC’s Most Impressive Staircases Leading the Oceanic Wall at Upper Dream Canyon
The Boulder Climbing Community’s Upper Dream Canyon project, which began in 2018, was one of the crowning achievements of the BCC trail program. With over 200 stone steps, this new trail safely guides climbers to the base of the Oceanic Wall. With help from the USFS Boulder Rangers District and the Rocky Mountian Conservancy, the BCC was able to clean up the dispersed campsites and reroute the trail to more stable surfaces while also installing a wag bag dispenser at the trailhead. This project was completed in 2022 and was made possible with support from the Access Fund, CPW, Athletic Brewing, REI, and the American Alpine Club.
Castle Rock Overlook, Boulder Canyon
Stone Staircase Leading to the Castle Rock Overlook Climbing Areas
In 2019, the BCC began its multiple-year-long project at the Castle Rock Overlook area in Boulder Canyon. Over the course of four years, the BCC placed 281 stone steps and received the Blue Grama Award from the Colorado Open Space Association. This is the BCC’s first trail to be awarded. This project showcases what sustainable Front Range crags should look like.
3rd Flatiron, The Flatirons
Approach Trail to the 3rd Flatiron Through the Satellite Boulders
It's no lie that the BCC’s Program has spent a lot of time working in the Flatirons, but most of the time and effort has been spent on the 3rd Flatiron trail. In our ten years of trail work, we’ve spent a little over 35 weeks working on the approach and decent trail for the 3rd Flatiron. This trail is steep and well-traveled, as it also serves as access to the Satellite Boulders. Thanks to the BCC, climbers and hikers can arrive safely to climb or to get a nice view of the front range.
Map of Where the BCC Trail Program Has Worked Across Utah and Colorado