This winter’s snowpack likely will bring an extended mud season, and that could mean a problematic influx of visitors to the Sand Canyon trailhead this spring, Montezuma County commissioners said Tuesday.
The trail network off County Road G features historic ruins and is the hallmark destination for Canyons of the Ancients National Monument. It is typically the first trail to dry out in the region because of its lower elevation.
But limited parking on rough slickrock has long been a concern, and the pace to solve the problem by monument and Bureau of Land Management officials has been too slow, commissioners said.
The limited parking space, which is provided by federal land agencies, could cause “chaos,” said commissioner Larry Don Suckla.
“There will be an influx this spring as people here and from Durango go there to escape the mud, so get ready,” Suckla said.
The monument is on a list for an engineer to visit the site and draw up plans for an improved and expanded lot, expected to happen this summer, said Connie Clementson, BLM Tres Rios District field manager. But the estimated $100,000 needed for construction has not been secured.
“We are at the mercy of funding and are requesting that to get the project done,” she said.
Meanwhile, the county may step in to build a parking lot within the County Road G right of way about a half-mile east of the current Sand Canyon parking area. It would provide parking for 17 passenger vehicle spaces and six oversize vehicles.
Clementson said that if the county installs its parking lot first, the BLM would build a short connector trail to the main Sand Canyon Trail.
The commissioners expressed a desire to move forward with their parking lot to handle expected crowds. But they expressed frustration that federal land agencies couldn’t pull off an improved parking lot sooner on BLM land.
“It’s disappointing that it has not moved further along in six years,” said commissioner Keenan Ertel. “It is a danger to the public when the monument does not have proper parking.”
The current, uneven slickrock parking area for Sand Canyon can hold about 20 vehicles. Once expanded, it will hold up to 40 vehicles and two oversize vehicles to accommodate horse trailers.
On crowded weekends, dozens of vehicles park on the shoulder of narrow county road, creating a traffic hazard. The county has posted signs prohibiting parking along that stretch of road. When too crowded, visitors are encouraged to find another place to hike or bike.
BLM and monument officials acknowledged that the federal process for new projects is not quick, but they assured the county that improving the parking lot is a priority and that progress has been made.
Clementson pointed out that an environmental assessment was completed last year, and a decision was made on a basic design for an expanded lot at the trailhead.
The project was subject to National Environmental Policy Act guidelines that require time-consuming public scoping, analysis, comment periods, cultural surveys and consultation with Native American tribes.
Once the BLM’s engineer draws up plans, “the project will be shovel ready, so when we get funding we can go with construction,” said acting monument Manager Tyler Fouss.
The improved parking lot at the trailhead will be leveled and graveled. It will be 50 feet wide and 350 feet long and be lined by boulders. Parking curb stops will identify vehicle parking spaces. The lot will have a designated entrance at the east end and an exit on the west end. Improvements also will include a new information kiosk and interpretive signs.
“As a priority, you should ask the Department of Interior to put the money there first,” said commissioner Larry Don Suckla. “It is a safety issue, so it should rise to the top with funding provided now to speed things up.”
jmimiaga@the-journal.com