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With several trail openings coming soon, the City of Boulder’s Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) Department announced today that it expects to open about 80 percent of its flood-damaged trail system by the end of the year.

The department anticipates having more than 50 percent of its trail system open on Saturday when dozens of volunteers will help the department complete rebuilding projects on the Doudy Draw trail complex south of Boulder. The volunteer assistance – which will build on the work of OSMP trail crews – will enable the department to open more miles of trails.

“We’ve made significant strides in reopening Boulder’s prized trails, but we know we have much more work ahead of us,” said Mike Patton, director of the city’s Open Space and Mountain Parks Department. “Our approach has been to reopen trails that serve the broadest segment of the community and to leverage the immense generosity of volunteers to help us rebuild our community’s trail system.”

When the recent flooding subsided, OSMP conducted a preliminary assessment that found it caused significant or severe damage to 77 miles of trails. Floodwater also caused some damage to dozens of miles of other trails. The department then diverted its staff – including trail crews, seasonal employees and full-time employees – to provide immediate trail access to neighborhoods and areas across Boulder.

Since the September flood, OSMP has opened 70 miles of trails, along with 20 trailheads. It has also opened climbing areas on the First and Third Flatirons, and it is working with volunteers from the Flatirons Climbing Council and Rocky Mountain Rescue Group to assess local climbing access areas and explore additional openings.

As first responders and local climbers help OSMP survey climbing areas, hundreds of other volunteers continue to help the department rebuild and restore important drainages and ecosystems. In recent weeks, OSMP has held 15 volunteer projects, which have helped the department make progress in opening more trails. Volunteers have also assisted OSMP by providing guided hikes, which give area residents insights about how the flood has impacted the city’s open space system. More than 600 people have participated in the guided hikes.

“We’re fortunate to have so many volunteers helping us to rebuild,” Patton said. “We’ve been inspired by their hard work and willingness to help the community.”

In the coming weeks, OSMP anticipates opening the following trails and areas:

• Spring Brook-Doudy Draw trail complex; Foothills Trail; Hogback Loop; Old Kiln Trail; Wonderland paragliding/hang gliding access area; Greenbriar/Thomas Lane with the South Boulder Creek West Trailhead; Flagstaff Trail and nearby climbing areas, including Flagstaff Summit, Crown Rock and Contact Corner.

By the end of 2013, OSMP expects to open:

• Sanitas Valley Trail; Amphitheatre/Gregory Loop and its nearby climbing opportunities; Skunk Canyon Trail; and the Upper and Lower Big Bluestem trails.

While OSMP is making progress opening many trails and trailheads, some trails will remain closed to the public after Jan. 1. These trails have become eroded and buried in debris, and will require significant repairs. In addition, their closure will help reduce the creation of new social trails, which causes adverse environmental impacts. Areas that will likely remain closed past the beginning of the year include:

• Four Mile Creek Trailhead: Flood water expanded the creek from 3 feet to 30 more than feet, necessitating a new bridge. Flooding also spread extensive debris in the area.
• Chapman Drive/Tenderfoot:  Flooding severely damaged the road and OSMP needs to provide a walkable trail in the area.
• Access road to Green Mountain Lodge: The recent flood created a flowing creek in the roadway, which prevents access to Ranger Trail and Gregory Canyon. Re-opening this trail now would damage environmental resources.
• Multiple Mesa Trail junctions: The Bear, Skunk and Bluebell drainage crossings of the Mesa Trail have been damaged.
• East Boulder Trail at Boulder Creek (White Rocks): Large gullies and extensive debris have severely damaged the trail.

“We understand the desire to get back on the trails,” Patton said. “We’re doing everything we can to provide our community with exceptional recreational opportunities as we continue our commitment to ensure long-term resource protection.”