Possible bike link from town of Morrison to Red Rocks

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Mountain bikers are working with Jeffco Open Space to create a trail link between Morrison, Red Rocks and Matthews/Winters Park.

 

The Canyon Courier reported March 7 that the Colorado Mountain Bike Association submitted a proposal to build a multiuse trail from the town of Morrison to Dinosaur Ridge and Red Rocks entrance along Highway 93 and potentially north to Matthews/Winters.

 

COMBA is in discussions with the Morrison Town Board and Planning Commission to get a plan approved. Some of the land involved is part of Denver Mountain Parks.

 

For more information on this development see http://www.canyoncourier.com/content/open-space-launches-e-bike-pilot-program

Volunteers needed to build Floyd Hill trail June 9 and beyond

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  The Mountain Area Land Trust in Evergreen is working with Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado this summer on Floyd Hill Open Space trail building projects.

 

Thanks to Clear Creek and Jefferson County open space programs and The Trust for Public Land, a significant portion of Floyd Hill is open to the public and with these projects will eventually offer a number of hiking and biking trails on 108 acres near the I-70 exit.

 

Trail building dates are set for June 9, July 7 and Aug 25

 

To learn more and register see voc.org, Trail Construction at Floyd Hill Open Space, http://www.voc.org/project/trail-construction-floyd-hill-open-space

 

For more information on the Mountain Area Land Trust see http://www.savetheland.org/floyd-hill-open-space

 

Prominent view property saved with conservation easement

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Penkowsky land conserved March 2018, a Conservation Easement on 75 acres in Jefferson County in the center of MALT’s Peak to Peak priority area

Mountain Area Land Trust of Evergreen announced the closing of a Conservation Easement on 75 acres in Jefferson County in the center of MALT’s Peak to Peak priority area.

The property is owned by Greg and Frances Penkowsky. Greg is a MALT Ambassador and the recipient of the 2014 Bud Simon Preservationist of the Year award.

The surrounding terrain and sweeping vistas provide a strong sense of seclusion. From the high point on the Penkowsky property many protected lands are visible, including White Ranch Park, Coal Creek Canyon Park, Golden Gate Canyon State Park and a Jefferson County held Conservation Easement.

The Conservation Easement provides additional protection for the Ralston Creek Open Space lands, safeguarding the ridgeline on the south side of Ralston Creek and protecting the viewsheds of thousands of acres of both county and state lands. Building envelopes on the property were sited to ensure the viewshed is forever preserved.

From the high point … many protected lands are visible, including White Ranch Park, Coal Creek Canyon Park, Golden Gate Canyon State Park and a Jefferson County held Conservation Easement.

A great deal of ecological and forest restoration work has been completed on the property as well as adjacent lands. Special attention has been given to the retention, recruitment and creation of snags for cavity nesting birds.

Several acres were identified by the Colorado Natural Heritage Program as having very high biodiversity significance, and Red Wind Flower plants (anemone multifida) that are considered uncommon are found on the Penkowsky land.

More information on Mountain Area Land Trust is at SaveTheLand.org

Rocky Mountain National Park allows bicycles on 2-mile stretch in park outside of wilderness

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By Kyle Patterson
Rocky Mountain National Park Communications

 

As of March 2, bicycle use will be allowed on a 2-mile section of the East Shore Trail within Rocky Mountain National Park.

East Shore Trail is an existing hiking and equestrian trail on the west side of the park near the town of Grand Lake in a non-wilderness designated area.

Trail proponents, including the Headwaters Trails Alliance, will be responsible for completing work on the trail before it opens to public bicycle use. Part of the trail is to be rerouted. The timeline is still being negotiated.

The decision was reached after extensive public involvement. For details see www.regulations.gov. Search for the regulation identifier number “1024-AE31.”

For more information about Rocky Mountain National Park, visit www.nps.gov/romo or call the park information office 970-586-1206.