Peak of Mount Shavano, Near Salida, Soon Officially Public

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The peak of Mount Shavano, currently under mining claim restrictions
The peak of Mount Shavano, currently under mining claim restrictions
Mining claim stake
Mining claim stake
Trail reconstruction project
Trail reconstruction project

The peak of another Colorado 14er may soon become public land. The Colorado Fourteeners Initiative (CFI) intends to buy three parcels of land extending over the peak of Mount Shavano near Salida. The move comes after the discovery of mining claims which means the land is currently privately owned.  

Mining claims on Mount Shavano
Credit Lloyd Athearn / Colorado Fourteeners Initiative via Facebook
Mining claims on Mount Shavano

Lloyd Athearn directs CFI and recognizes although folks have been climbing Mount Shavano for decades, they're technically trespassing.

"What CFI is doing is buying the land so that we can make it accessible to the public and put in an appropriate trail and then give it back to the Forest Service so that it is public land in perpetuity," he said.

Athearn says they've raised the necessary $40,000 plus for the purchase.

He says he hopes CFI will officially own the land by the beginning of 2017 so the group can begin a multi-year trail restoration project.