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
Reconstruction of Neva, Niwot roads begins Monday
Jul 24th
Popular roads’ to get face lift and wider shoulders
Boulder County, Colo. – Boulder County will begin reconstruction of Neva and Niwot roads between U.S. 36 (Foothills Highway) and North 63rd Street on Monday, July 30. Construction is anticipated to last through the end of November.
The project will replace the roadway and add four-foot shoulders to the entire stretch. The road is expected to remain open to all traffic, including cyclists, for the majority of the project. However, users should expect variable road surfaces including milled asphalt and dirt-road conditions, lane closures, and significant delays until construction is complete. Some daytime road closures are anticipated.
“The Neva-Niwot corridor is a popular and scenic cycling route and an important access route for many county neighborhoods,” Transportation Director George Gerstle said. “The road is in need of significant repairs and this project will improve the road and enhance safety for all everyone who uses it.”
Schedules are subject to change due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. Visit www.BoulderCounty.org/Transportation or call 303-441-3900 for updates and more information.
Search is on for possibly suicidal man in Left Hand Cañon
Jul 24th
Boulder man may be armed; sheriff’s deputy sidelined during search with heat stroke
This morning, July 23, 2012 at approximately 9:50 a.m., deputies were dispatched to the area of Lefthand Canyon to look for a reported missing/suicidal person out of the City of Boulder. The 20 year-old male hadn’t been heard from since yesterday (July 22, 2012) afternoon, so family members contacted the Boulder Police to report him missing. They indicated recently he had been despondent and in his last message told them his vehicle was parked in Lefthand Canyon.
Initially, when deputies arrived in the area they located the missing person’s vehicle and observed somebody matching his description running from the vehicle. In checking the vehicle they found items that indicated he might be armed with a firearm and for this reason additional resources were requested, which included members of the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team and Sheriff’s K-9 teams.
A search of the area was conducted and the missing person has not been found. The search for the missing person will continue as long as there is enough light to search safely. The sheriff’s office will reevaluate tomorrow whether to continue the search based on the information obtained from today’s search.
Also assisting the Sheriff’s office were members of Rocky Mountain Rescue Group, Lefthand Fire Protection District, Boulder Mountain Fire Protection District, Boulder Emergency Squad, Ward Town Marshal’s Office and American Medical Response Ambulance Service.
Initially, as a precautionary measure Lefthand Canyon Drive was closed to traffic from the 900 block of Lefthand Canyon to James Canyon for approximately four hours. Lefthand Canyon drive has been reopened to normal vehicle and bicycle traffic, although teams remain in the area searching.
During the search, a deputy with the Sheriff’s Office was evacuated with assistance from members of the Rocky Mountain Rescue Group, after he suffered complications from the heat. He was transported to Boulder Community Hospital where he is currently being treated.
