Posts tagged closure
Bike race madness invades Boulder County Saturday
Aug 20th
USA Pro Challenge cycling race coming to Boulder County on Saturday
Race will prompt road closures and create limited parking in areas; spectators advised to prepare for changing weather and possible hazards
Boulder County, Colo. – Stage 6 of the USA Pro Challenge cycling race begins Saturday morning in Golden and, after traveling through the city of Boulder, towns of Nederland and Lyons, and the mountain communities of western Boulder County, finishes atop Flagstaff Mountain on Saturday afternoon.
Road Closures
The race will impact state highways, county roads and city streets. Safety patrols will be facilitating rolling closures as the race moves through Boulder County. Major roadways to be impacted include U.S. 36 and state highways 7, 72, 93 and 119. Visit www.COTrip.org for up-to-date road closure information.
Parking and Transportation
Paid on-street parking is available as well as paid event parking in city garages and parking lots and at the University of Colorado campus. Residents are encouraged to use alternate transportation on race day, as large crowds are expected. Increased bus service is available to and within Boulder. Visitwww.USAProBoulder.com for details on parking, bus and bike routes, and bike corrals.
Use Caution
Spectators, especially those watching the race in the mountain areas of western Boulder County, are advised to be prepared for rapidly changing weather conditions and the potential risk of lightning and flooding. Check weather forecasts prior to heading outdoors and bring warm and rain-proof clothing in addition to sun protection and drinking water. Wildfires also remain a risk in the foothills and mountain areas, so stay alert to any emergency notifications during the race.
For more on the race, including an interactive stage map, schedule of events and information about the finish on Flagstaff Mountain, visitwww.USAProBoulder.com.
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
Bear Canyon Trail re-opens; other Flagstaff Fire closures remain
Jul 7th
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.
