Posts tagged Mesa Trail
New dog regs in OSMP lands take effect April 15
0April 13, 2013
New dog management regulations along mountain backdrop
The first in a series of changes to dog management practices in the West Trail Study Area (West TSA) will take effect on Monday, April 15. The following areas will be posted with signage reflecting the following changes:
- Fern Canyon Trail (from where it leaves the Mesa Trail heading west to Bear Peak – Dogs on this trail will now be allowed to be off leash with the proper use of voice and sight control
- Lower McClintock Trail (from the wooden bridge just below the Chautauqua Auditorium along the short distance heading west until the Enchanted Mesa Trail) – Dogs will no longer be allowed on this portion of the trail
- Boy Scout Trail (located at the Flagstaff Summit) – Dogs will no longer be allowed in this area
These changes are the result of recommendations made and approved in 2011after a rigorous public process that brought constituencies together in the form of a Community Collaborative Group to develop a set of best visitor activity and environmental protection practices for the valuable ecosystem in the west TSA. Generally speaking, the West TSA covers from Eldorado Springs Drive (south) to Linden Avenue (north) and from Broadway (east) to the west side of the Flatirons.
The group made these recommendations related to dog management, as well as others that are likely to take effect around May 1. These will include the following changes:
- Towhee Trail – Dogs will no longer be allowed on this trail
- Old Mesa Trail (from Lower Shadow Canyon down to Eldorado Canyon) – Dogs must be leashed and on trail
- The Homestead Trail – Dogs will continue to be permitted off leash with the proper use of voice and sight control except for when crossing the riparian corridor, where dogs must be leashed
Be sure to check http://www.osmp.orgfor the exact dates when these future changes will go into effect and for general information about the provisions. If you have additional questions about these changes, please contact Dean Paschall at 720-564-2050.
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City opens some trail segments and climbing access previously closed due to fire
0July 24, 2012
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
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Bear Canyon Trail re-opens; other Flagstaff Fire closures remain
0July 7, 2012
City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks officials today announced the re-opening of the Bear Canyon Trail following last week’s fire closure. Bear Canyon Trail above west of the Mesa Trail will be open, effective immediately, up to where hikers can connect to Green Mountain via the Green-Bear Trail. Travel is limited to on-trail only. Fern Canyon, Bear Peak West Ridge and Shadow Canyon trails remain closed.
Because much of the area that burned is on very steep slopes, contained very large trees, and was largely inaccessible to fire crews, some areas of active fire may continue to smolder for some time. Dangerous conditions continue to exist, especially along the eastern edge of the fire and in Fern and Shadow canyons.
“We had a spot fire in upper Shadow Canyon,” Stone said, “and smoldering trees can topple over and ignite at any time. Burning logs and debris can roll downhill on such steep slopes and start new fires. So we still have to be somewhat cautious about opening all of the area around the fire even though these areas may not actually have burned.”
Open Space and Fire Department staff will continue to assess the fire potential and risks to the public over the next few weeks. The city will strive to strike a reasonable balance between risk and access to these popular natural areas.
A map of the continued closures is attached to this release.
For information, visit www.osmp.org or call 303-441-3440.
