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Project Updates & TimelineCurrent Status: November 2024
Rock Solid Trails has started construction on site! Working hard to establish the first 4 miles of singletrack trail in the system, we are working hard at making sure valued stakeholders in the cycling community have involvement in the project. Currently, the project has funding for 13 miles of trail that will be completed in the spring of 2025. We need your help to keep the construction progressing. Consider donating today, and complete this amazing recreation opportunity. 
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December 2023: Project goes out to bid!
The first phase of the Colby Mountain Project went out for bid in late November 2023 and closed December 10th. A contractor was selected and trail construction is expected to start Spring 2024 pending NEPA finalization. August 2023: NEPA Scoping & Public Comment Period The Almanor District of the Lassen National Forest launched the public comment period as part of the first phase of the NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) process for the Colby Mountain Recreation Project. This was a critical step in formally approving the project and allowing construction to commence! Public comments and support were accepted through September 23, 2023. Thank you for all the positive feedback and support that was received! June 2022: Board of Supervisors Approves Contract On June 14th, 2022 The Butte County Board of Supervisors met on the agenda item to approve the contract with the Butte County Resource Conservation District (BCRCD) for the Connected Communities Colby Mountain Project. This approves BCRCD to be the official project owner and put together a request for proposal for contractor bids. This follows an award of $1,000,000 through the American Rescue Later project phases using different sources of funding will add outdoor education facilities, improve trailhead infrastructure, and improve connectivity in the adjacent motorized trail system to divert motorized users away from the non-motorized recreation area. This process moves forward today with a Chair signature. December 2021: Colby Meadows Project Awarded $1 million for trail construction through the American Rescue Plan Act Project proponents are pleased to announce the Colby Mountain Recreation Project has received funding for trail construction through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) allocation to Butte County. The $1,000,000 award will be disbursed in May 2022 and will be used to construct approximately 20 miles of new multi-use, non-motorized single track trail in the Lassen National Forest during 2022 and 2023. Trail layout began in May 2021 after receiving an initial grant of $50,000 from the Friesen Foundation. A $221,000 grant from the Sierra Nevada Conservancy (SNC) in June 2021 is funding the ongoing environmental review and public engagement process, which is expected to yield a shovel-ready project by early 2022. This initial $1,000,000 construction commitment will be leveraged to secure additional grant funding to complete the planned trail system. Ultimately, the project will create over 40 miles of non-motorized trail that will offer Northern California residents and tourists unprecedented access to the splendor of the Lassen National Forest. From ridge line traverses with panoramic views to trails that wind along lush meadows under the shade of majestic conifers, the Colby Mountain Recreation Area will offer opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to walk, hike, run, roll, or ride in a stunning natural environment. Over 42 individuals, businesses, and local organizations provided comments or letters of support to the Butte County Board of Supervisors in favor of the ARPA funding allocation to the Colby Mountain project, including the Butte Meadows Jonesville Community Association. The core partners collaborating to advance this project (Butte County Resource Conservation District, Chico Velo, Northern California Regional Land Trust, Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship, and the Lassen National Forest) are deeply grateful for the overwhelming show of support from local communities. The ARPA award will be invested directly into building the local trail system, helping to restore lost tourism and hospitality related revenues to Butte County in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and multiple natural disasters. In addition to the immediate benefits of increased access to public lands, construction of the Colby Mountain Recreation Area will also create the westernmost trailhead of the Lost Sierra Route, which is currently being developed through an inclusive regional planning process. The Lost Sierra Route will be the first trail system of its kind in California, developing over 300 miles of multi-use, motorized single track trail that will link 15 mountain towns across the Range of Light as part of the Connected Communities vision developed by Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship. When completed, this long-distance trail system will open up a world-class recreation opportunity that will support quality of life as well as economic restoration, growth, and resilience for the region. June 2021: Colby Meadows Project Awarded $221,000 from Sierra Nevada Conservancy The project partners are excited to share that the Colby Mountain Recreation Project has been awarded a Prop 68 planning grant by the Sierra Nevada Conservancy (SNC) through the Vibrant Recreation and Tourism Program! The $221,000 award will:
Many organizations provided written support for the SNC application including: Jonesville Cabin Owners Association, Butte Meadows Jonesville Community Association, Butte County Federal/ State Land Use Coordinating Committee, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co, Adventure Outings -Associated Students of CSU Chico, North Rim Adventure Sports, North State Composite High School Mountain Bike Team, and Intrepid Adventures. Additionally, The Colby Mountain Project and Lost Sierra Route segment -connecting Jonesville to Lake Almanor- is part of the larger Connected Communities vision developed by the Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship. When completed, the project will link 15 California mountain communities via a 300+ mile motorized, multi-use trail, providing a world class recreational adventure opportunity that will support economic sustainability for the region. |
Project Documents
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The Colby Mountain Project is a collaborative effort of Chico Velo, Northern California Regional Land Trust, Butte County Resource Conservation District, Sierra Buttes Trail Stewardship, Lassen National Forest, and other community partners to enhance the recreational opportunities in the Upper Butte Creek watershed.
May 2021: Layout Begins on 40 Miles of Colby Trails
On May 17th, a crew from Trail Labs Co began the initial planning and layout for the Colby Mountain Recreation Project. Day 1 included a tour of the entire project area from the Jonesville Snowmobile Parking Lot to both Colby and Humboldt summits. Following a conceptual trail design completed in 2020, the crew will survey the terrain to find the optimal route for each trail, identifying proper slope, flow, and features for the eventual 40 mile trail network. Thanks to generous support from the Friesen Foundation, the crew from Trail Labs Co will spend the next two and a half months flagging Colby’s future trails- work is expected to be completed by July 2021.
Based in Mt Shasta, CA, Trail Labs Co is a science-based, professional trail building company offering a full suite of services from trail system design and road-to-trail conversions, to new trail construction, bike parks, and paved pump tracks. Their projects can be found across Northern California and Southern Oregon and they've had a hand in the development of regional favorites like Enticer & Snail Trail in Redding, the paved pump track at Lowden Park in Weaverville, and the current 40 mile expansion of the Gateway Trail System in Mt. Shasta. Trail Labs Co was also contracted by the City of Chico to update the city’s trail master plan and trained crew leaders from Chico Velo Trailworks on sustainable trail design and building techniques. Learn more about Trail Labs Co, their projects, and more at: https://traillabsco.com/
Friesen Foundation Grants $50,000 for Trail Layout and Promotion
In 2020, the Friesen Foundation awarded $50,000 to the Colby Mountain Recreation Project to fund the layout of the proposed 40 mile network of non-motorized trails which constitute the heart of the project. In addition, the foundation sponsored the development of promotional materials to share the story of the project and build community engagement.
Friesen’s support has elevated the project from concept to reality with trail layout expected to begin in May 2021 through Trail Labs Co. Our project partners are incredibly grateful for their contribution and sincerely thank the Friesen Foundation for investing in the long-term sustainability of this region.
Founded in 2019, the Friesen Foundation is a private family foundation located in Redding, CA dedicated to increasing the quality of life in Northern California. The foundation supports a broad range of community development projects including outdoor recreation, environmental restoration, public health, civic planning, and cultural arts in Shasta, Siskiyou, Trinity, Lassen, and Tehama counties.
On May 17th, a crew from Trail Labs Co began the initial planning and layout for the Colby Mountain Recreation Project. Day 1 included a tour of the entire project area from the Jonesville Snowmobile Parking Lot to both Colby and Humboldt summits. Following a conceptual trail design completed in 2020, the crew will survey the terrain to find the optimal route for each trail, identifying proper slope, flow, and features for the eventual 40 mile trail network. Thanks to generous support from the Friesen Foundation, the crew from Trail Labs Co will spend the next two and a half months flagging Colby’s future trails- work is expected to be completed by July 2021.
Based in Mt Shasta, CA, Trail Labs Co is a science-based, professional trail building company offering a full suite of services from trail system design and road-to-trail conversions, to new trail construction, bike parks, and paved pump tracks. Their projects can be found across Northern California and Southern Oregon and they've had a hand in the development of regional favorites like Enticer & Snail Trail in Redding, the paved pump track at Lowden Park in Weaverville, and the current 40 mile expansion of the Gateway Trail System in Mt. Shasta. Trail Labs Co was also contracted by the City of Chico to update the city’s trail master plan and trained crew leaders from Chico Velo Trailworks on sustainable trail design and building techniques. Learn more about Trail Labs Co, their projects, and more at: https://traillabsco.com/
Friesen Foundation Grants $50,000 for Trail Layout and Promotion
In 2020, the Friesen Foundation awarded $50,000 to the Colby Mountain Recreation Project to fund the layout of the proposed 40 mile network of non-motorized trails which constitute the heart of the project. In addition, the foundation sponsored the development of promotional materials to share the story of the project and build community engagement.
Friesen’s support has elevated the project from concept to reality with trail layout expected to begin in May 2021 through Trail Labs Co. Our project partners are incredibly grateful for their contribution and sincerely thank the Friesen Foundation for investing in the long-term sustainability of this region.
Founded in 2019, the Friesen Foundation is a private family foundation located in Redding, CA dedicated to increasing the quality of life in Northern California. The foundation supports a broad range of community development projects including outdoor recreation, environmental restoration, public health, civic planning, and cultural arts in Shasta, Siskiyou, Trinity, Lassen, and Tehama counties.
