May Mountain Memo – CB Land Trust

Photo by Mary Schmidt

May Mountain Memo E-Newsletter

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Welcome, Eve!

We’re thrilled to welcome Eve Gutheinz to the Land Trust’s development team this summer! Originally from mid-coast Maine, Eve studied Environmental Studies at Colorado College, focusing on sustainable agriculture, environmental justice, and community connections to the land. She now calls Crested Butte home and is passionate about protecting the landscapes she loves. This summer, she’ll be helping with events, communications, and community outreach – be sure to say hello when you see her around!

Recreate Responsibly This Spring

As spring arrives in the Gunnison Valley, melting snow, changing trail conditions, and emerging wildlife all signal a need for extra awareness and care while enjoying the outdoors.

A voluntary no-float period on the Upper Slate River is in effect now through July 15 to protect the Great Blue Heron rookery during their sensitive nesting season. This stretch runs from Gunsight Bridge to the Pyramid Avenue Boat Launch in town.

A few tips for responsible river travel this spring:

Know before you go. Spring conditions shift fast. Be careful of low bridge clearances and other hazards during high flows.
Respect private property. Most land along the Slate is privately owned. Stay in your boat between public access points and avoid trespassing.
Leave dogs at home. This prevents unwanted interactions with wildlife, livestock, and landowners.
Watch for river fences. Seasonal cattle grazing means fencing may appear across the river – approach slowly and pass under with care.

If floating is part of your spring plans, visit cblandtrust.org/slate-river-floaters for more information and updates.

And for those hitting the trails, spring thaw means muddy trails. Help prevent long-term trail damage by turning around if it’s too wet, and always check trail conditions first with Crested Butte Mountain Bike Association or Gunnison Trails.

Thanks for doing your part to keep our lands healthy and open for all. Stay safe out there!

Summer Events

We’re excited to offer a variety of free events for our community all summer long. Whether you join us for one or several, we’d love to see you. For details and to RSVP, email jessica@cblandtrust.org. Full schedule and more information on our website.

Here are a few highlights:

June 7 (Saturday) – Glacier Farm Tour and Dig-In Day with Mountain Roots Food Project
Get your hands dirty and join us with the Mountain Roots Food Project at Glacier Farm. Help get the garden ready for a productive season and learn about the important work and collaboration going on at Glacier Farm! We’ll also have a station for painting garden bed signs – arts and crafts for all ages! Click here to learn more about the dig-in days, and click here to learn more about Glacier Farm.

June 24 (Tuesday), 4 – 7 PM – Happy Hour at the CBLT Office
Join us for a happy hour at our new office, 411 Third Street (above Marchitelli’s).

July 24 (Thursday), 4 PM – Weed Pull with the Crested Butte Wildflower Festival
Help us protect native plants during this hands-on weed pull in partnership with the Crested Butte Wildflower Festival. Location TBD.

July 25 (Friday), 9 AM – Baxter Gulch Hike with the Crested Butte Wildflower Festival
Enjoy a moderate 3-mile out-and-back hike with the Land Trust and the CB Wildflower Festival.

July 30 (Wednesday), 8 AM – North Pole Basin Hike with Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory
Explore high alpine habitats and boreal toad research with RMBL scientists and Land Trust staff. Strenuous 3-hour hike; only 8 spots available. RSVP to jessica@cblandtrust.org.

August 12 (Tuesday), 10 AM – Watershed Walk and Talk with Coal Creek Watershed Coalition
Join the Crested Butte Land Trust and Coal Creek Watershed Coalition on a guided hike up the Gunsight Connector Trail to learn how both organizations work to protect land and keep our watersheds healthy. ~ 2.5 miles, intermediate hiking.

August 16 (Saturday), 10 AM – 2 PM – Excursión de Bosque / Woods Walk Excursion
A guided hike on the Lower Loop, led in Spanish, open to all.

Newsletter published

The latest edition of our biannual newsletter is hot off the press, featuring updates on recent conservation efforts and current projects. Click here to read online.

Local Students are Taking Action

Gunnison High School students Elizabeth Klingsmith and Janey Mugglestone recently took 2nd place at the Colorado RISE Challenge – a statewide competition recognizing youth-led projects that build community resilience to natural hazards. Their winning entry focused on mitigating pine beetle infestations in local forests to help reduce wildfire risk.

This spring, they will install verbenone packets, a pheromone beetle deterrent, near the Lower Loop Trail in partnership with the Crested Butte Land Trust and Colorado State Forest Service.

Their work highlights how stewardship starts at the local level – with youth, science, and a love for the land.

Congratulations to Elizabeth, Janey, and GHS teacher Krystal Brown! We’re proud to support the next generation of land stewards!

Image is from the Gunnison Times. Read more on their website, here.

Want to volunteer with us this summer?

We’re always looking for helping hands to support our events, stewardship efforts, and more.
Click here to sign up for volunteer updates and opportunities.