Smuggler Mountain Open Space Management Plan

Many Aspen residents may be unaware of the fact that significant urban development could have enveloped not only Smuggler Mountain, but Hunter Creek as well. Imagine the fact that in the late nineteen sixties, much of Smuggler and Hunter Creek were owned by McCullough Oil Company and a handful of other private owners. The Hunter Creek lands were largely acquired by the USFS, with some critical assistance from Pitkin County, the City of Aspen, and the Aspen Valley Land Trust, who jointly secured the Hummingbird and the Little Chief inholdings. These three local partners would also lead the way in protecting Smuggler Mountain.