A new natural-surface trail is now open to the public near downtown Salida. Called “Maybe,” the 0.75-mile-long trail creates an important connection in the Arkansas Hills Trails System and provides many more opportunities for people to enjoy Salida’s renowned trail network.  

The public is invited to attend a Grand Opening event on Friday, April 19, at the base of the new trail (along the Rise-N-Shine trail, near Cottonwood Gulch). The event will begin at 10am with a ceremonial ribbon cutting, followed by a group walk- hike- and bike-along to check out the new trail. SMT staff and board members will be on hand to answer any questions. 

“Maybe really ties the trail system together,” said Salida Mountain Trails (SMT) Executive Director Jon Terbush. “The trail fills what had been a gap in the network, creating a connection to link shorter routes and provide more singletrack options close to downtown Salida.”  

Maybe replaces a decades-old, undesignated “social” trail that crossed private property. Working in partnership with the City of Salida and the Bureau of Land Management, Royal Gorge Field Office (BLM), SMT developed a plan to reroute the trail onto public land. James Flatten, a professional trail builder, constructed Maybe with support from SMT and City staff. 

In 2023, an astounding 225,000 people entered/exited the Arkansas Hills Trails from the F Street parking lot, according to trail counter data. Increased use has led to increased congestion, something the new trail will directly address. 

“This official designation of Maybe is a great addition to the Arkansas Hills Trail System,” said City of Salida Parks, Trails, & Open Space Supervisor Zach Ryerson. “Adding a trail like this so close to town will help users disperse across an increasingly used trail system. All users will have multiple options leaving the F street parking area to enjoy biking, running or hiking. This was an awesome collaboration between SMT, City of Salida, BLM and James Flatten, a private contractor. To make a trail like this happen, lots of things need to come together, and I’m so glad we were able to get it done.”