Posts tagged Lefthand Canyon
Restrictions Established in James Canyon
May 9th
Traveling and Cycling Restrictions in James Canyon
Mayor Schoedinger asks for patience and cooperation to assist with recovery
Due to continued recovery and repair operations associated with the September 2013 flood event, Boulder County is re-establishing restrictions on non-local traffic, including bicycles, in James Canyon from the junction with Left Hand Canyon, through Jamestown, to the junction with State Highway 72 (Peak to Peak). The restrictions will go into effect immediately. Lefthand Canyon will remain open to all roadway users.
While the county’s high-hazard area remediation work has moved out of the area and into Fourmile Mile Canyon, private recovery efforts remain extensive. There continues to be a high-volume of large trucks and heavy machinery moving in and around Jamestown, which is creating a hazardous environment for motorists and cyclists alike.
After the flood event, many sections of Lefthand Canyon and James Canyon Drive were completely destroyed and Boulder County worked quickly to replace the previous asphalt roadway by installing temporary dirt “winter roads.” In areas where “winter roads” were created, the unpaved roadway narrows significantly and safe, uphill shoulders for cyclists are no longer available. This forces cyclists into the main flow of traffic for extended lengths, creating hazardous riding and driving conditions for travelers in both directions.
County Transportation Director George Gerstle asks for everyone’s patience and understanding by avoiding travel in James Canyon, as well in the Fourmile Canyon and the Raymond/Riverside area unless you are a resident or have business in the area. “If you don’t live in these areas and aren’t helping rebuild these hard-hit communities, you’re probably obstructing recovery operations. We want to remind folks who want to travel the mountain canyons that Lefthand and Sunshine canyons are better options and are open all the way to the Peak to Peak Highway. These canyons are also are narrow and have been reconstructed out of dirt in many areas, so we are asking everyone to be patient and drive slowly, and remember we’re working to make the roads more safe for everyone.”
As was available before to area residents who routinely commute by bicycle, the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office is offering special permits that will allow those people to continue cycling. Please call 303-441-3650 to obtain a permit. Failure to comply with the cycling restriction may result in a court summons.
For more information, contact Andrew Barth, Transportation Department communications specialist, at 303-441-1032.
Source: Boulder County
Seasonal raptor closures to begin Feb.1
Jan 31st
The City of Boulder’s Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) Department will institute seasonal closures to protect area raptors on Saturday, Feb. 1. The closures – which protect peregrine falcons, prairie falcons and golden eagles raising their young in nests located along Boulder’s mountain backdrop – will be in effect from Feb. 1 until July 31. Closures may be lifted sooner if monitoring indicates that raptors are not present.
High-quality habitat and rich food resources make cliffs on OSMP lands a regionally important area for nesting birds of prey. The following areas and formations will be closed:
- Lefthand Canyon Palisades, at the intersection of Lefthand Canyon Drive and Olde Stage Road (Buckingham picnic area remains open);
- Mount Sanitas, First Buttress, accessible from the Mount Sanitas trailhead, a half mile west of Fourth Street and Mapleton Avenue (no closures to the bouldering areas along the ridge; Mount Sanitas trail will remain open);
- Third Flatiron, including the East and West Ironing Boards, Queen Anne’s Head and Jaws, and WC Pinnacle, accessible from Chautauqua trailhead;
- Flagstaff Mountain: the north side of Flagstaff Mountain will be closed (the Boy Scout Trail will remain open);
- Skunk Canyon, including Ridges 2, 3 and 4, the Aechean Pronouncement, the Dreadnaught, the North Ridge and the entirety of Sacred Cliffs, accessible from NCAR trailhead at the west end of Table Mesa Road;
- The Back Porch and The Box, accessible from the NCAR trailhead at the west end of Table Mesa Road;
- Bear Creek Spire, accessible from the NCAR trailhead at the west end of Table Mesa Road;
- Fern Canyon, accessible from the NCAR trailhead at the west end of Table Mesa Road¡¡ (the designated Fern Canyon hiking trail will remain open);
- Shadow Canyon and the Matron, accessible from the South Mesa Trailhead (the Maiden will remain open and accessible from the east; Shadow Canyon Trail will remain open).
- The Sphinx and The Wings, accessible from the NCAR trailhead at the west end of Table Mesa Road;
- The entire Mickey Mouse wall, accessible from the Goshawk Ridge Trail.
Boulder-area volunteers and staff have been monitoring important raptor nesting and resting areas on OSMP lands since 1984. They are an integral part of efforts to protect the species and adaptively manage the closures.
Trespassing into closed areas can result in a summons with penalties up to 90 days in jail and/or a $1,000 fine.¡¡ OSMP relies heavily on the public to respect the closures, and the cooperation of visitors to these areas is greatly appreciated.
Please visit Open Space and Mountain Parks’ website at www.osmp.org for detailed maps and up-to-date information on raptor closures or call 303-441-3440.
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Boulder County Transportation Snow Removal Information
Oct 2nd
Boulder County, Colo. – As a result of the recent flooding in Boulder County, local roads range from no-impact to single-lane four wheel drive access only. Many areas of the county remain inaccessible to vehicular travel due to road damage or continuing high water levels. With predictions for snowfall as early as overnight on Thursday, Boulder County Road Maintenance crews are preparing alternative methods for snow removal along flood-damaged routes.
Boulder County Transportation will strive to provide the best snow removal possible despite extenuating circumstances along the county’s flood-ravaged road system. However, roads that remain in poor condition will not support previously-used snow equipment. For example, road crews will not be able to use truck snow plows on uneven surfaces; these roads will now require graders to complete this task. Plowing routes with graders will add substantial time to complete the accustomed level of snow removal.
In order to provide the safest and fastest snow removal services possible, Boulder County’s Road Maintenance Division is requesting motorists to please be aware of the following issues.
· Drive slowly and carefully; hazards that previously could be seen and avoided may be hidden after a snowfall.
· Many roads are only one lane in places which will require extra diligence and courtesy on every driver’s part.
· Give the right of way to oncoming snow removal equipment, it will be much easier for a car or pickup to find a location to stop or pull over than it will be for our large snow removal equipment.
· Be aware that county roads that are not affected by damage may experience minor delays for snow removal due to diverted resources.
· Allow extra time for travel in those areas affected by the flood rough roads, steep shoulder drop offs, single lane roads, visibility and other hazards will require everyone’s attention and vigilance.
Due to resources and closure of recreational areas Brainard Lake Drive will not be plowed. In addition the following roads, or portions of roads, will not be plowed due to damage or accessibility:
· Lefthand Canyon between the lower Lefthand fire station (#1) and Sawmill Road
· Lefthand through the town of Ward
· James Canyon between Lefthand Canyon and Jamestown
· Balarat Road
· Gold Run Road between Salina and Summerville
· Lee Hill Road between Deer Trail Road and Lefthand Canyon
· Wagonwheel Gap Road
· Pinto Drive
· CR 82E from Cabin Creek Road to the Boulder and Larimer County line
· Pika Road from Bison Drive to Coney Court
For current road closure information as a result of flooding, visit: www.BoulderCountyFlood.org.
For additional information about snow removal, contact Road Maintenance at 303-441-3962.