Baker’s Park in Silverton, Colorado, holds a distinction that sets it apart from other trail systems in the country. Not only will the trail system eventually reach an elevation of nearly 13,000 feet, but it is also one of the highest (if not the highest) purpose-built trail systems in the state.
Phase 1 of the project saw seven miles of beginner and intermediate trails opened in the park. Now, with over $1 million in grant funds, the Silverton Singletrack Society (SSS) is starting Phase 2, adding 10 miles of singletrack across 11 trails.
New trails in Baker’s Park
“It’s super rugged,” Klem Branner, SSS Board President, told Singletracks when we first chatted about the project in 2023. “Basically, the mountain biking we have, you either ride on dirt roads, which is not a whole lot of fun, or it’s kind of expert only [trails].”
Rugged is a bit of an understatement for describing the trails near Silverton. With the city itself sitting at more than 9,000 feet above sea level, pedaling any trail would have most of us struggling. But for Baker’s Park, Silverton was able to add a different style of trail – machine-built, high-elevation flow trails.
Overall, the system utilizes a stacked-loop design with hubs and clusters. SSS worked with IMBA Trail Solutions on the design, and landed on a solution that offers users multiple options for getting up, down, and around Baker’s Park based on skill level and available time.
Last year they added seven miles, wrapping up phase 1. Over the next two summers, SSS looks to add 11 trails – seven this summer and four the next. In all, it will add about 10 miles, bringing Baker’s Park up to nearly 20 miles total.
Branner told us the trails they are working on this summer include one beginner, five intermediate, and one advanced. “The plan is for the black to be directional and bike optimized,” he said.
To be clear, the lion’s share of the mileage at Baker’s will be multi-use. Mountain bikers can expect to encounter runners and hikers using the routes. But Branner told us that six miles of the trail system will be DH, mountain bike-only. This phase 2 advanced trail looks to be the first black option in that mileage.
Looking toward the summer of 2027, SSS will add four more trails – three more greens and another black. Branner said these four trails will total approximately three more miles.
“IMBA has been a key partner along the way,” Branner told us. “ I doubt we’d be where we are today without their help.” Trail Solutions helped SSS put together the original concept plan, getting the ball rolling for the Baker’s Park build. They also built phase 1 and are well underway with phase 2 construction.
The phase 2 trails will be roughly 29% beginner, 53% intermediate, and 18% advanced. They are also open to class 1 e-bikes, giving lowlanders a leg up on the elevation. Phase 2 construction also includes a restroom at the trailhead and signage around the system.
Trails aren’t cheap
Branner told us that nearly three-quarters of the funding came from the Great Outdoors Colorado Community Impact Program to the tune of $750,000. Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s Non-Motorized Trail Program is supporting the project with $250,000, as it did in phase 1. The Foundation for America’s Public Lands provided $100,000, while the Colorado State Outdoor Recreation Grant provided $69,652.
Lastly, the San Miguel Power Association’s Sharing Success Program awarded the project with a $7,500 grant, and the BLM is contributing “significant in-kind support for biological and cultural clearances, signage, and restrooms.”
A lot of trails are going to cost a lot of money. We looked into how much a professionally built trail costs at the beginning of 2026 and found a staggering price tag of $60,000-$80,000 per mile on average.
Across 10 miles, we can see how that overall price knocks on the seven-figure door. Fortunately for Baker’s Park, grant funding has covered the major price tag associated with the build.
While it may seem like a lot of money, compared to the cost of a regional sports complex, 10 miles of trails is pretty insignificant. Especially when you consider the amount of use.
“Trail counters recorded nearly 3,900 individual users in the system’s first season, confirming strong demand for close-to-home recreation in a community that previously had no purpose-built trails,” SSS said in a press release about phase 2 construction at Baker’s Park. That was nearly 4,000 trail users accessing the new trails in a short period – Silverton is above 9,000 feet and covered in snow for much of the year.
30 miles of trails, half a mile from town
In the end, Baker’s Park will boast 30 miles of singletrack within riding distance of Silverton. SSS says that when the park is completed, it will be “the most significant investment in public outdoor recreation infrastructure in San Juan County’s history.”
Branner said that he and SSS have their fingers crossed regarding opening new trails this season. With seven new trails being built this summer, crews will be working hard to complete the builds, potentially pushing into 2027.
“If we are able to open anything this season, it will probably be at the very end for a very brief period of time before we have to close them for winter.”
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