Posts tagged Eric Stone
Trail to Bear Peak opens
Aug 14th
OSMP opens Fern Canyon Trail to Bear Peak
The City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) department announces that Fern Canyon Trail to the summit of Bear Peak is now open to hiking. Users are reminded that they must remain on trail at all times. South Boulder Peak, Bear Peak West Ridge and the upper portion of Shadow Canyon remain closed due to hazards and trail damage related to the Flagstaff Fire.
Bear Peak is a popular hiking destination, according to Eric Stone, Division Manager for OSMP. “We wanted to get that opened as soon as possible. Fern Canyon was the least affected trail,” said Stone. “There is still a lot of work to do on the other trails, but our crews are engaged in projects they can’t just walk away from. As soon as those projects are completed, we will start working on the trails in the burn area. It is common practice among land management agencies to allow burned areas to recover naturally. It may be several months before we can have all of the trails opened.”
The Trail & Area Closures Web page has detailed info and a link to a photo gallery from the fire and inside the burn area as it looks today:http://www.bouldercolorado.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1158&Itemid=2552#trail
Direct link to the gallery page: http://www.bouldercolorado.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=16949&Itemid=4235
For trail updates and questions about closures on OSMP properties, please call 303-441-3440 or visit www.osmp.org.
City opens some trail segments and climbing access previously closed due to fire
Jul 24th
The City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) department has re-opened the lower portions of Fern and Shadow Canyon trails to hiking and access to several popular climbing areas on the west side of Mesa Trail. The area had been closed as a result of the June 26 Flagstaff Fire.
“With the lifting of closures in this particular area, the public can hike the loop near Fern Canyon and have access to climbing routes in the area such as The Slab, Fern Canyon Boulders, and The Maiden,” said Eric Stone, division manager for OSMP.
Top of the Maiden rock formation is accessible nor
Some closures remain in effect. The boundary on the west is now points on both Fern and Shadow Canyon trails that are still marked with closure signs. On Fern Canyon, a new closure boundary will be placed at a point approximately 0.25 mile west of the junction with The Mesa Trail where an access to Fern Canyon Boulders exists. The closure boundary on Shadow Canyon Trail is now approximately 0.4 mile west of the junction with Shadow Canyon North to provide access to a climbing area known as The Maiden. The summits of both Bear and South Boulder Peaks will remain closed as will the upper portions of Shadow and Fern Canyons and Bear Peak West Ridge Trail until staff has the opportunity to conduct a complete assessment of this area in regard to visitor safety and resource protection. This area will reopen to on-trail travel only once it is determined to be safe for visitor access.
For questions about closures on OSMP properties, please call 303-441-3440 or visit www.OSMP.org
More fire restrictions in Boulder open space &mt. parks
Jun 12th
City implements additional fire restrictions for Open Space & Mountain Parks
The City of Boulder has implemented a City Manager’s Rule banning fire and smoking on all Open Space & Mountain Parks properties. OSMP imposes these bans during extreme fire hazard conditions for public safety and resource protection. Fire danger is currently at a very high level.
“As we can tell from the tragic fire in Larimer County, and as we know all too well here in Boulder, dry conditions can be very dangerous,” said Eric Stone, division manager for OSMP. “We are asking the public to take all precautions possible to prevent a fire on open space and in our community.”
The ban includes smoking and the use of any cook stoves on OSMP lands. The sheriff’s office has already put a ban in place that makes it illegal to use charcoal grills or campfires anywhere in Boulder County. The new OSMP ban could be lifted if and when fire conditions change. Violators are subject to criminal prosecution with penalties up to 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.
OSMP and firefighters would appreciate the cooperation from the public in this important matter.
For more information on OSMP, please call 303-441-3440 or visit www.osmp.org
