The Access Fund announced successful completion of the second phase of trail building at Colorado's Shelf Road at the Cactus Cliff area.

In 1999, the Access Fund and BLM worked in partnership to acquire and officially open to rock climbing the previously closed cliffs in the popular Shelf Road area between Cripple Creek and Canon City. Shelf Road is a renowned sport climbing area and the purchase of this area in Helena Canyon helps to preserve the quality of the scenic viewshed along this section of the Gold Belt Byway.

While the cohesive partnership between the Access Fund and BLM to open Cactus Cliff was highlighted at last year's national Land Trust Conference, the opening of this area to recreation ensured the rim would not be subject to development. Initial trail building efforts took place last November, in partnership with the Rocky Mountain Field Institute, a non-profit group based in Colorado Springs. The new trail, completed in late April will link climbing areas the Vault, Cash Wall, Cactus Cliff, Spiney Ridge and Southern Gym areas.