Cheesman Canyon Gill Trail Restoration

CCTU's Highest Priority Conservation Project

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT? Colorado Parks & Wildlife has designated 325 miles of Gold Medal Waters in Colorado consisting of only 11 rivers and 3 lakes. Per acre, Gold Medal Water supports a trout standing stock of at least 60 pounds with an average of at least 12 quality trout (see TU Colorado Gold article). The chart below shows that Cheesman Canyon South Platte fishery has nearly 800 lbs of biomass per acre - one of the top two of any Colorado Gold Medal Water - the best of the best. Angler and hiking access to this VERY SPECIAL TAILWATER FISHERY needs to be preserved so that future generations can experience the excitement of catching wild trout and make lasting memories. 

Colorado Parks & Wildlife Gold Medal Waters - January 2023
Image Credit: Don Brauch, CPW Aquatic Biologist

WHO WILL CARE FOR THIS NATURAL RESOURCE? The non-profit Cutthroat Chapter of Trout Unlimited organization has designated the South Platte River in Cheesman Canyon as our home waters, and therefore we are committed to be stewards of this amazing environmental resource. As a non-profit, we have a motivated Volunteer workforce that is positioned to engage. But we need to raise the necessary funds to plan and manage this multi-year project. If we don't care for the Gill Trail and this Gold Medal Water fishery, who will? 

WHY DO WE NEED HELP? On July 31, 2023 a 100-year storm event (see Fly Fisherman magazine article; see 5280 magazine article) dropped more than 2.5 inches of rain in an hour, increasing flows from 239 cfs to 630 cfs, causing a flash flood event. Tons of sediment washed into the South Platte River, filling in historical fishing holes and impacting native trout habitat. The 5.5-mile Gill Trail, which provides access to one of Colorado's best Gold Medal trout fisheries, quickly turned into mudslides amongst the hail and torrents of rain, discharging decomposed granite into the fishery (see Pat Dorsey Instagram post). 

The July 31 chronology of photos below shows both the beauty and productivity of the Cheesman Canyon catch and release fishery, starting the day fly fishing at 8:30 am, capped off by the ensuing storm that began around 4:00 pm. These photos show why the Cheesman Canyon South Platte fishery is such a special place, worthy of preserving for the generations to come.  

July 31, 2023 
Photo Credit: Scott Tampa, Meg Renton & Pat Dorsey

On August 2, 2023, two days after the storm, CCTU President Scott Tampa and Blue Quill Angler Guides Pat Dorsey and Chris Steinbeck, walked the Gill Trail to assess and document the aftermath of the Flash Flood. The below photo collage shows sedimentation and erosion impacts to the Gill Trail and fishery. 

August 2, 2023
Photo Credit: Scott Tampa

Ivan Orsic (Orsic Photo + Video) posted the below drone footage of the canyon 2 weeks after the flash flood event on August 14, 2023.

Some immediate safety-critical trail repairs were performed by CCTU Volunteers with permission from the US Forest Service on September 20-21, 2023. But the main body of volunteer work is still to come.

WHAT WILL THE MULTI-YEAR RESTORATION PROJECT LOOK LIKE? A professional assessment of the Gill Trail performed by ERO Resources and Tapis Associates resulted in a report of recommended actions needed to restore, improve and care for the Gill Trail. Gill Trail Restoration Project Objectives include the following: 

1) Stabilize existing trail system, 

2) Improve condition and sustainability of the trail, 

3) Construct new designated access trails, 

4) Assess social trail network, 

5) Improve safety, signage, and wayfinding, 

6) Protect and improve the fishery, 

7) Apply passive management techniques, and 

8) Manage front country and backcountry experiences. 

Report of Gill Trail Assessment 
Image Credit: ERO ResourcesGill Trail Assessment Map 
Image Credit: ERO Resources

The trail assessment was divided into 26 segments numbered A through Z, apportioned to the Lower, Inner and Upper Canyon.

• Lower Canyon is an intensive use zone extending 1.5 miles from the Cheesman Canyon Trailhead. It has the highest levels of visitor use and the greatest extent of user-created social trails.  
• Inner Canyon has a backcountry feel and visitor use is less frequent. While the overall frequency and intensity of social trails is less, poorly aligned or poorly maintained trail sections have difficult and hazardous conditions.
• Upper Canyon use is greater than mid-canyon but less than lower canyon, and favors day hikers and anglers seeking access to the tailwaters below the Cheesman Dam. It consists of nearly 2 miles of steep descent from the Upper Trailhead near Cheesman Reservoir with constrained river access.

Data shows 31% of the 5.5-mile main trail needs work, and 11.3 miles of social trails need to be re-routed or contained to minimize erosion and sedimentation.

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