An ambitious trail system years in the making is closer to complete in western Colorado.

Gunnison Trails, the nonprofit spearheading the project, recently reported its latest success by extending South Rim Trail to the farthest reaches of the system around Signal Peak. Starting behind Western Colorado University, the singletrack network now spans east of the mountain above 9,000 feet — showcasing the backcountry that mountain bikers and runners long dreamed of accessing on trails from town.

“Once (South Rim) is complete, riders and runners can do a 20-mile loop all on singletrack right from town,” said Gunnison Trails Executive Director Tim Kugler.

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South Rim was one of the marquee trails envisioned in a plan approved by the Bureau of Land Management in 2018. Two other trails have been built since then: Duane’s World and Sunny D. They are among the network now totaling more than 25 miles, including old roads and cattle trails that could be converted into singletrack.

In a couple more years, Kugler said the hope is for the dream around Signal Peak to be just about fully realized.

The dream began in 2006. Gunnison Trails launched that year with a wish list of future destinations beyond the granite-filled, mostly flat trail system long beloved by mountain bikers: Hartman Rocks.

Advocates saw a much different experience across the 14,000 acres of public land behind the local college. They looked to Signal Peak, surrounded by rolling sage and boasting wide-open views. The idea was to optimize existing paths and add purpose-built singletrack that differentiated from Hartman Rocks trails.

Signal Peak “is more of a cross-country network, where Hartman is very technical,” Kugler said.

Another difference: Hartman Rocks is open to motors, while the Signal Peak network is not.

“And then, obviously, just being in close proximity to town,” Kugler said. “If folks have an hour, they can get on dirt and get a little loop in.”

Reaching the more distant likes of South Rim requires more time and effort. The extension calls to mind a more ambitious, multi-day trek into Fossil Ridge Wilderness, Kugler noted.

“I think that really speaks to just how Gunnison, Crested Butte, the Gunnison Valley, we’re just surrounded by public land,” Kugler said. “It’s neat to be able to jump on to a trail system and get a nice introduction to that.”

Anyone about to jump on the Signal Peak system should be aware of seasonal closures depicted on a map at gunnisontrails.org.

For wintering wildlife, bikes are barred from the trails Jan. 1-April 30. A portion of the system is closed March 15-May 15 for sage-grouse.