Longer days from a higher shining sun gives way to the river beds of the Roaring Fork and the Crystal being filled by mountain snow run-off. 

Spring in Carbondale has arrived.

Interested in a backcountry ski tour in the morning and a mountain bike in the afternoon? Or maybe a day that intertwines fishing and golf? Carbondale’s spring season allows for a wide array of outdoor recreation with both winter and summer activities being accessible on any given day.

Yet with great optionality comes great responsibility, notably as it relates to the fickle springtime weather in the Roaring Fork Valley. A morning biking around the Red Hill trail system (while being mindful of mud) may give way to a surprise snowstorm that allows for ski mountaineering adventure around the Thomas Lake Bowl (while being mindful of avalanche danger) the next day.

No matter your adventure, be sure to engage in responsible recreation by abiding by the following tips.

Mountain Biking

• Avoid the mud. Carbondale’s mountain biking community often feel the itch to ditch the skis and get on their two wheels right around the time the warm March sun begins to shine. Biking during the mud season brings an extra set of responsible recreation needs, as trails are most vulnerable when they are wet (which is most often the case during mud seasons of March and April). Always analyze trails for durability before jumping on the saddle. In the event that you are leaving tire marks, consider waiting until later in the day or returning a different day. If not, tire tracks become permanent summer staples.) Visit the Red Hill Council Trails page for up-to-date trail information.
• Stay on trail. Going around mud and puddles causes even more damage to trails, increasing their width, disturbing native and protected lands, and increasing the need for maintenance.

Fishing

• Licensing: A valid fishing license is required for all people aged 16 and older in the state of Colorado. A Habitat Stamp must be acquired in order to apply for a fishing license. Licenses run on a 13-month cycle that go from the first of March to the end of March the following year. Visitors and residents can visit Alpine Angling & Adventure Travel or the Roaring Fork Valley Co-op to acquire a fishing license in person. Licenses can be purchased online at the virtual Colorado Parks and Wildlife shop.
• Warm water restrictions: Fishing earlier in the day before the sun increases water temperatures is encouraged. Generally, 65 degrees Fahrenheit is the benchmark to leave the fish to their own vices. Though water temperatures rarely reach 65°F in the spring, it is best to begin (re)learning best practices early each season.
• Leave No Trace:  Take out what you bring in, as fishing gear left behind is detrimental to the well-being of those beautiful brown and rainbow trout living in the Roaring Fork River and its tributaries. 

Spring Hiking

• Make a Plan: Check the weather before your departure, as temperatures can change at a moment’s notice.
• Pack the Right Gear: Carbondale locals will tell you that if you don’t like the weather in Colorado, then wait five minutes. The weather on trails in the Rocky Mountains can be radically different than at the trailhead. Make sure to pack extra layers, plenty of water and food to get you through an unplanned night.

Spring Skiing

• Backcountry safety: Spring time offers ski tourers an opportunity to enjoy those last few turns of the summer. Despite spring being the relatively safest season for backcountry skiing, there is still inherent risk in skinning-up and skiing-down even in April and May. Around Carbondale, whether you are venturing up Mount Sopris or tackling the one of the many backcountry ski routes in neighboring Aspen or Marble, always assess conditions with Colorado Avalanche Information Center, and be equipped with a beacon, shovel and probe.

Spring in Carbondale also brings with it a fair share of cultural heritage events around town, including the 5Point Film Festival and the return of the Farmers’ Market. Whether you’re out-and-about on Main Street or kicking up dirt on the Red Hill network of trails, always remember Take It Easy during your visit to Carbondale.