February 17, 2026: Looking Ahead to an Amazing Year!
Freshly groomed track from January 30, 2026.
February Trail Update
Warm Weather, Spring Conditions & A Look Back at an Incredible 2025
After an unusually warm stretch on Casper Mountain, our winter grooming team is facing the same challenge many trail communities are seeing across the West: spring‑like conditions arriving far too early. With temperatures climbing above freezing, the singletrack is softening quickly, making it difficult to maintain a firm, groomed surface for fatbiking and winter recreation.
Please expect variable, spring‑style conditions—freeze‑thaw cycles, soft spots, and limited grooming windows. Thank you for helping protect the trails by choosing the right time of day to ride, run, or hike.
2025: A Year of Milestones, Momentum & Community Power
Even with the challenges of this winter, it’s impossible to feel anything but pride when we look back at what our community accomplished together in 2025. This past year marked one of the most productive and transformative periods in CWTA’s history.
2025 Highlights
6.5 miles of new trail completed on Casper Mountain
Creation and opening of the Douglas Mountain Trail System
Hundreds of volunteer hours dedicated to building, maintaining, and improving our trail systems
New and expanding partnerships with Casper College, Visit Casper, and Platte River Trails
Three major bridge projects, including two Eagle Scout builds and a memorial bridge honoring Captain Bryce Myles Bishop
Bridges That Build Community
• Eagle Scout Project #1: Prospector Loop Bridge
A beautifully crafted addition improving safety and sustainability on a key section of the trail.
• Eagle Scout Project #2: Ox Cart Trail Bridge
Located near the Braille Trail parking lot, this bridge marks the beginning of the brand‑new Ox Cart Trail, a project that will continue to grow in 2026.
• The Captain Bryce Myles Bishop Memorial Bridge
This special bridge on the Prospector Loop Trail honors Captain Bryce Myles Bishop and stands as a testament to service, legacy, and community love.
A heartfelt thank‑you to the supporters who made this project possible:
Neil and Samantha Benton
1st Interstate Bank
Cary and Karen Brus
Jonah Bank
Fred and Kim Devore
The Jeff and Debbie Bishop Family
Your generosity created something lasting and meaningful for our community!
Looking Ahead to 2026: A Year of Expansion, Momentum & Gravity
We’re entering 2026 with tremendous energy. CWTA has secured new contracts and agreements that will bring even more recreation opportunities to Central Wyoming. Several major projects are already underway.
• Bar Nunn Bike Skills Park: Construction Underway
Work has already begun on the Bar Nunn Bike Skills Park, a community‑driven project designed especially for younger riders and families. Features include:
A dedicated strider bike play area
Progressive drops and built features
Multiple jump lines
And the star of the show: a 90‑foot elevated Dragon’s Back feature
A huge thank‑you to the Bar Nunn Town Council for believing in outdoor recreation and investing in spaces that help a growing community thrive. Learn more here!
• Douglas Mountain Phase II: Breaking Ground
The Douglas Mountain “Bicycle Rodeo” area is designed for the small bikes (strider or small pedal bikes). It will have barrels to ride around, elevated boardwalks, rollers, hoops and some other exciting features for our little shredders. This is just one part of the Phase II development in Douglas. Stay tuned to the development of this park.
Phase II of the Douglas Mountain project is officially underway. This expansion includes:
A kids’ bike rodeo area
Multiple jump lines ranging from beginner rollers to barrel jumps and drops
An intermediate‑plus line featuring step‑downs, larger jumps (approx. 4' ramps), cannons, and a wall‑ride feature
This project is powered by the community and made possible through the continued partnership with the Outdoor Enthusiasts of Converse County and the City of Douglas. Their shared vision for expanding Wyoming’s outdoor recreation spaces continues to inspire us.
• Cottonwood Creek Dinosaur Trail: Nearing Completion
Weather permitting, the Cottonwood Creek Dinosaur Trail will be completed in early spring. This project will bring a unique educational and recreational experience to the region.
• Platte River Trails Partnership: Bridge Deck Improvements
We’re once again teaming up with Platte River Trails on several impactful projects, including improvements to the bridge decks heading east of Casper. Many of these efforts will wrap up early spring.
Casper Mountain: The Start of Our Gravity Year
Trail work on Casper Mountain is scheduled to begin in mid‑June, and 2026 marks a major milestone: This is our Gravity Year.
We will continue advancing the Natrona County Master Plan for the Casper Mountain trail expansion, including multiple downhill‑focused trails. This is the year we begin building them.
But to make this vision a reality, we need your help.
Community Support: The Key to a Better Tomorrow
Community funding is the only way we can continue pushing forward. We are actively seeking donations and matching contributions to help fuel this year’s projects.
Kiosk Sponsorship Program Coming Soon
We will soon launch a Kiosk Sponsorship Program, which will be a major driver in supporting trail development and maintenance. We are planning for six kiosks, working closely with Natrona County Parks on design and implementation.
Each sponsor will receive permanent, on‑site recognition at the trailhead where their kiosk is located. More details coming soon.
Trail Maintenance & Stewardship in 2026
We anticipate many additional projects emerging as the season unfolds. Planned maintenance days include:
The Bridle Trail
Casper Mountain Trail System
Duncan Ranch
And several other key areas across Central Wyoming
Your stewardship and support make all of this possible.
Trailforks: A New Partnership to Elevate Your Trail Experience
We’re excited to announce that CWTA is now part of the Trailforks Affiliate Program—a partnership that brings real value to our community while helping support the work we do on the ground.
What This Means for You
30% off Trailforks Pro memberships when purchased through our affiliate portal
Additional perks and benefits available exclusively through the program
$5 from every membership purchased through our link goes directly back to CWTA to support trail building, maintenance, and future projects
This partnership strengthens our ability to deliver accurate, timely, and user‑friendly trail information. Moving forward, CWTA will be using Trailforks for trail updates, trail reports, and trail mapping across Central Wyoming.
Our team is currently undergoing training on the platform to ensure we’re providing the best possible end‑user experience. This means more reliable updates, better mapping, and a smoother way for you to stay informed about trail conditions.
Stay tuned—there’s much more to come with Trailforks.
Thank You!
Thank you to everyone who continues to show up, volunteer, donate, and believe in the power of outdoor spaces.
Together, we’re building something lasting.
See you on the trails!