DELTA, Colo., Aug. 2, 4:33 p.m. –The Forest Service announced the completion of a land exchange that led to the acquisition of an important piece of the Galloping Goose trail for public use. The piece of trail was owned by Lee Wynne as part of the Roanoak placer, near the town of Ophir. 

The Trust for Public Land (TPL) played a critical role in helping to negotiate with Wynne to secure his land while the exchange was completed.

The land exchange allowed the Telluride Regional Airport Authority to acquire National Forest land at the end of their runway so the airport could meet FAA standards. 

The Forest Service acquired not only Wynne’s property but also a private parcel wedged between the Arapaho National Forest and the Rocky Mountain National Park near Grand Lake, CO.

The Rio Grande Southern Railroad was constructed by Otto Mears in the 1890s to serve the Telluride, Ophir and Rico mining towns.  The rail line was used to carry mail and passengers from Ridgway to Dolores in the 1930s and 40s by motor buses.  The hybrid locomotive with an automobile compartment was known as the Galloping Goose.

The Galloping Goose railroad has slowly been converted to a trail as part of a rails-to-trails project.