LAKE CITY, Colo. (May 14, 2020) – Nestled in the San Juan Mountains at the headwaters of the Gunnison River, Lake City, Colorado, is a small community known for its mining heritage, its pristine beauty, and the plentiful opportunities it offers to enjoy the natural areas surrounding it. Beginning next week, Lake City will also be known for the role it plays as a gateway to an outdoor destination that brings visitors from around the world to southern Colorado each summer – the Continental Divide Trail.
On Thursday, May 21, at 7 PM MT, the Continental Divide Trail Coalition (CDTC) will welcome Lake City as the newest official Gateway Community to the 3,100-mile Continental Divide Trail during a virtual designation ceremony streamed live on Facebook. CDT Gateway Communities are trailside towns recognized by CDTC as welcoming destinations for trail visitors, dedicated to protection and promotion of the trail. Lake City will be the seventh CDT Gateway Community in Colorado.
“Although we’re not able to sign the proclamation in person, we’re incredibly excited to officially designate Lake City as a CDT Gateway Community.” said Teresa Martinez, Executive Director of CDTC. “As a town that is so clearly dedicated to enjoying both the recreational and economic benefits of the public lands that surround it, Lake City will fit naturally into the greater network of CDT Gateway Communities who value the trail and are interested in contributing to its stewardship.
While the dedication was originally scheduled to take place during the annual San Juan Solstice ultramarathon in June, the race was canceled due to ongoing concerns about COVID-19. The virtual format, however, will allow Lake City lovers and CDT enthusiasts from all over to take part in the celebration.
“There’s a tremendous amount of love for Lake City, our trail, and our trail-champions, so we are really very excited about this!” said Hinsdale County Commissioner and Lake City resident, Kristine Borchers. “Hinsdale County is a community and landscape bound by pathways: the Silver Thread Scenic Byway, the Alpine Loop Backcountry Byway, and some of the best-groomed snowmobile routes in Colorado. The Continental Divide Trail traverses our county in 71.7 miles over three segments. The designation of Lake City as a Gateway Community is an inspiring step for us in the stewardship and celebration of our trails.”
Along with celebrating Lake City’s dedication to outdoor recreation and stewardship, the designation will bring a taste of the town’s laid-back mountain culture to living rooms across the country with musical performances from local musicians, Wylie “Crazy Horse” Jones and Kris Bloomer.
“I’m honored to be playing the celebration,” said Wylie “Crazy Horse” Jones. “I’m a long-distance hiker that’s thankful to have spent a lot of time in Lake City and on the Divide. It’s my favorite place to hang out, play music, and stop on trail, in no small part to one of my best friends, Lucky, who built and runs Raven’s Rest Hostel.”
Lake City has long been known for its diverse outdoor opportunities, from fishing and horseback riding to mountain biking and, most famously, motorized and off-highway vehicle recreation, but it’s only recently become a popular destination for Continental Divide and Colorado Trail hikers. Thanks to an organized network of “Trail Angels,” thru-hikers can catch a free ride 17 miles into town, and most opt to stay at the Raven’s Rest Hostel, which was founded in 2012 by former thru-hiker, Cionnaith “Lucky” O’Dubhaigh. Thanks to O’Dubhaigh’s efforts to dispel skepticism toward long-distance hikers, Lake City residents now value the economic power these visitors bring to their town, and local businesses work during the busy summer hiking season to provide needed goods and services to hikers.
The virtual designation ceremony is free to the public and will be streamed Thursday, May 21, at 7 PM MT via Facebook Live at www.facebook.com/continentaldividetrailcoalition. The Facebook Live video can be viewed by anyone, regardless of whether they have a Facebook account, and will be available for replay at the same link.
Press release from https://continentaldividetrail.org/2020/05/14/lake-city-becomes-newest-cdt-gateway-community/
