Mesa County Trail Crew wraps up restoration work in Turner Gulch burn scar

The Mesa County Trail Crew has completed restoration work in the burn scar of the Turner Gulch fire.

In 2025, the fire damaged trails on the Uncompahgre Plateau, south of Grand Junction, creating safety concerns and limiting recreational access. 

Over the summer, the small crew used hand tools to clear mud and debris from Unaweep Trail. Burned trees and branches in the burn scar blocked the trail and damaged drainage crossings.

The eight-mile trail is one of many on the Uncompahgre National Forest, on the plateau south of Highway 141. The trail crew cleared downed trees and repaired and reinforced drainage crossings. The restoration work was done in hot, smoky and dusty conditions over 12 weeks. It was supported by a grant from the National Forest Foundation.

In early September, the crew will transition to the valley to work on trails at 18 Road, Lunch Loops, and Kokopelli, the three main BLM trail systems, doing routine maintenance like cutting small drainages to keep water off the trail and smoothing out brake bumps and other rough spots.

Since its creation in 2019, the Trail Crew has made significant progress in expanding and maintaining Mesa County’s non-motorized trail network while also supporting workforce development and healthy living outcomes.

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