The sprawling new Frisco’s Backyard project is ready to rock.
Approved in recent years as the state’s most ambitious fire mitigation project, the plan, officially known as the Town of Frisco Backyard Fuels and Recreation Project, includes fire trimming on 63 “units” over 1600+ acres, plus construction on more than 30 miles of new and upgraded trails for summer and winter recreation. An additional 10 miles will be decommissioned.
“It’s a little gem that just needs a little polish,” Frisco trails manager Pete Swenson tells Krystal 93. “Actually, it’s a pretty big gem. It’s a significant trail inventory with a little something for everyone: hiking, downhill only, multi-use, the whole thing.”
That 30 miles of new and upgraded trail is nearly double the mileage of Frisco Peninsula. Frisco town council got its first look at the new trail maps yesterday. Feast your eyes on this:
Most of these trails spiderweb out from the Peaks Trail and Miners Creek Road, which run parallel to each other on the east side of the Tenmile Range. A few routes run even further east to Ophir Mountain and the hillsides overlooking Highway 9. Still more spread further west toward Mount Royal and the ruins of Masontown.
Frisco regulars, we’re sure, will have mixed feelings about some of this. They’ll be happy that the washed-out, overgrown trails on Ophir are getting some love from the town’s trails crew. That work could begin as soon as this summer. They’ll be grumbling about decommissioned trails, meaning some of their favorite secret spots will be found, rutted and buried.
And it all gets started this summer with the first batch of trimming at the foot of Mount Royal. Here’s a look at the 63 “units” for fire trimming:
The plan also comes with upgraded parking at Zach’s Stop on Second Avenue, which most likely means paid parking there in the near future. Pete Swenson, the town’s trails manager, tells Krystal 93 paid parking is a necessary evil to manage crowds and possibly fund some of the trail work.
More importantly, what’s good for hikers and mountain bikers is even better for firefighters. The town and Forest Service believe trimming the woods south of Frisco will help fire crews better protect town in the event of a catastrophic wildfire.
Preview image via Outside Magazine.