I’m writing to support the crew at Trails 2000. I understand Mike Remke’s letter to the editor (Herald, July 12) and sympathize with his statements. I’m not bashing anyone’s opinion but supporting the new trail standards (including the use of machinery) that Trails 2000 is trying to follow.

Here’s the deal, folks: We have killer trails, but they get beat up from time to time from erosion. What Trails 2000 is doing is keeping our trails going for the long haul. Believe me, I have my beef with the speed of trail development in Durango (we need more freeride lines, dude), but I applaud Trails 2000 Director Mary Monroe’s vision and support it. We all need to be patient and trust that Trails 2000 continues to follow International Mountain Bicycling Association standards. Take a read on these standards; it is a worthy review of how much work goes into trail maintenance. They call for a trail grade that does not upend head-size boulders from their natural resting place, causing them to cover the sick lines we all enjoy. With the Chapman Hill development and more coming to Log Chutes, Durango’s trail system is about to get much, much better. Thank you to everyone at Trails 2000!

Walker Thompson

Durango