Survey to help guide Mt. Morrison upgrades

/0 Comments/in , , , , /by

Mt. Morrison from Red Rocks Elementary School. Jan. 28, 2020. By Vicky Gits

Jeffco Open Space is launching an online public survey to address possible improvements on the trail to the top of Mount Morrison.

While the trail begins and ends on Denver Mountain Parks land, most of it is on Jeffco Open Space

The survey is now available at the Jeffco Open Space website. Click on: Matthews-Winter Park web page.

The survey is intended to collect information on how and why people are using the trail. “Based on that feedback we will develop some trail ideas that balance visitor needs with resource protection,” said Mike Foster, Open Space stewardship manager.

A couple of options will be provided to the public for more comment and then construction could begin in winter 2021.

Mount Morrison ascends almost 2,000 feet to 7,877 feet over numerous difficult, dangerous rocky places. Mountaineers have been known to use it as a training site for much harder and longer international climbs.

There is very little room to park cars ear the trailhead at Titans road and Highway 8 west of Morrison.

From about 1909 to 1919, Mount Morrison was a popular tourist destination, featuring a cable incline railway and two 100-passenger railcars.

–Vicky Gits

PLAN Jeffco logo

 

Steps Mark Progress in Canyon Project

/0 Comments/in , , /by

PHOTO BY NATHAN MCBRIDE, JEFFCO OPEN SPACE TRAILS SPECIALIST

Jeffco Open Space recently completed a flight of stone stairs connecting the Clear Creek Trail in Golden to the Welch Ditch Trail above it. In the future, the stairs will give hikers-only access to a route that was originally built to carry creek water to farms and orchards.

For the time being the area is a construction zone and the public won’t have access until 2021, while crews work on the concrete trail and bridges.

The stone is granite obtained from nearby Clear Creek Canyon. Jeffco Open Space Trails Team designed and built the stairs using an excavator and hoist.

The stonework is part of an Open Space effort to restore the area where Clear Creek enters the foothills in Golden and is known as the Mouth of the Canyon Project.

One of the biggest building projects Open Space has ever undertaken, the projected cost is $15 million with completion projected in spring 2021.

The bulk of the work will take place in 2020 with a crew of about 40 to 45 people. Construction began in June 2019 on the south side of Clear Creek near the intersection of Highway 93 and US 6/58. (See complete story in February 2020 Plan Jeffco Update newsletter).

Crews have been taking advantage of less traffic due to health restrictions and installing culverts under US 6 to Black Hawk and Central City.

For a progress report on the Mouth of the Canyon Project, click on the link to the YouTube video.

— Vicky Gits
PLAN Jeffco logo

 

Open Space Camping Reservations Suspended

/0 Comments/in , , , /by

From Matt Robbins, Community Connections Manager, Jefferson County Open Space:

Due to high park visitation, Jeffco Open Space will be suspending all camping reservations until further notice. The increased visitation has demanded staff resources, as well as campground management taking Park Rangers away from other essential duties of managing visitor safety and resource protection during peak times. All existing camping reservations will be honored, but no new camping reservations will be accepted.

Some background leading us to this decision:

  • Park visitation is at an all-time high. While high use is concentrated on weekends and holidays, we are also seeing record use on weekdays.
  • With park visitation so high, park maintenance needs have increased by 66%. We have gone from an average of three service trucks to average five daily.
  • With park maintenance stretched thin, park rangers have taken over basic maintenance including restrooms and trash at all parks with resident rangers.
  • With added park maintenance duties, campground management and maintenance are taking park rangers away from essential duties managing visitor safety and resource protection during peak visitation times.

For these reasons, JCOS will stop taking new campground reservations effective Friday, May 15. We will honor all current reservations.

For additional information, please contact Matt Robbins, Jeffco Community Connections Manager

303.271.5902, 303.522.6218 (cell), https://www.jeffco.us/1531/Alerts-Closures

PLAN Jeffco logo

Are You a “CARE” Person?

/0 Comments/in , , , /by

Are you a considerate and responsible, enlightened (“CARE”) person during these times of uncertainty? Do you stay home if you don’t feel well? Do

you wear a mask outside? When visiting the beautiful parks in Jefferson County, do you stay on the trail to minimize your environmental impact? Are you considerate of other hikers and Open Space staff? Is your dog leashed? Do you pick up after it? Do you only gather to hike with those with whom you share your home? Do you refrain from short-cutting trails, even to avoid other people?

So many things to think about these days, but these are just a few requirements of the current situation. We are in a different, delicate, hopefully short-term (but possibly longer than we think) era—particularly if we shun the experts’ guidelines. It requires more awareness of our responsibilities to ourselves, others and the land we love.

Today, Jefferson County Open Space Parks are being overwhelmed by all of us seeking respite from the COVID-19 stay-at-home orders and seeking exercise and relief from restrictive directives. For safety reasons there are no park volunteers to give us friendly reminders of proper behaviors, leaving the 12 full-time and 3 seasonal staff rangers the near impossible task of trying to cover 56,000 acres, and 244 miles of trails by themselves. We must each willingly embrace the responsibility of honoring the rules.  PLAN Jeffco respectfully offers these guidelines and thanks everyone, not only for following them but also for your support via the ½ cent sales tax collected for Open Space at Jeffco businesses:

* Walk close to home, enjoy your neighbors’ flowers, as well as your own.

* If you find the JCOS parking lot full, please, please move on to another park.

* Wear a mask.

* Stay on the trail whenever possible, while honoring social distances. Be careful where you step as there may be delicate new plant growth this time of the year, even snakes!

* The 6-foot social distance is in still air. If the wind is at your back, don’t walk more than 6 feet behind the person in front of you.

* To minimize interaction time consider giving downhill hikers the right-of-way.

* Step aside (find a rock or bare spot to stand on) and let equestrians pass, even if you’re on a bike.

* Observe park, trail or area closures.

* Visit at non-peak hours, such as before 10:00 AM and after 3:00 PM.

* Follow guidelines posted at trailheads.

Be a “CARE” person. 

PLAN Jeffco logo

Family hiking in a meadow of penstemmon.

The Increased Need for Open Space

/0 Comments/in , , /by

Hikers in a field of penstemmon, Jeffco Open Space

Today, Jefferson County Open Space Parks are being overwhelmed by all of us seeking respite from the COVID-19 stay-at-home orders and seeking exercise and relief from restrictive directives. People are being turned away from full parking lots while our government leaders urge us to remain close to home.  With so many people passing each other on narrow sections of the trails, our required social distancing is being compromised.  This suggests maybe we should leave the car in the driveway (save gas), and just walk out the front door to streets that are wider than trails, making social distancing easier. Remember that even out in the “fresh air,” pathogens can infect when in close proximity to others. Moreover, heavy park use also presents a strong likelihood of resource damage, particularly in this transitional “mud” season. We could give our open space parks a break.

With the need for social distancing, and heavily-used parks, do you wish there was MORE open space to go around now?? Forget the current health crisis and think ahead just 10 years when projections add another 600,000 people to the current 3 million metro population. Will the current amount of open space meet our needs or will we feel as restricted and crowded as we feel now with the COVID-19 situation?  The present realities highlight the importance of open space for our physical and mental well-being. We need to encourage Jefferson County Open Space to be proactive in the promotion and financing of additional open space acquisitions to meet future needs.

For safety reasons there are no park volunteers to remind us of proper behaviors, leaving the staff rangers the near impossible task of trying to cover 56,000 acres, and 244 miles of trails by themselves. We must each take on the responsibility of honoring the rules.  PLAN Jeffco respectfully offers these guidelines and thanks everyone, not only for following them but also for your support via the ½ cent sales tax collected for Open Space at Jeffco businesses:

  • Walk close to home.
  • If you find the JCOS parking lot full, please move on to another park.
  • Wear a mask.
  • Stay on the trail whenever possible, while honoring social distances. Be careful where you step as there may be delicate new plant growth this time of the year, even snakes!
  •  Observe park, trail or area closures.
  • Take note of and avoid early plant growth.
  • Visit at non-peak hours, such as before 9:00 AM and after 2:00 PM.
  •  Follow guidelines posted at trailheads.

In general, practice the kindergarten rules: Be nice to others – and respect the land you are enjoying.

PLAN Jeffco logo

South Table Park Plan 2020

2020 Draft Trails Plan for South Table Announced

/0 Comments/in , , , /by

PUBLIC COMMENT DUE APRIL 29, email ST*@****co.us

Jefferson County Open Space will reconfigure the South Table Mountain trail system to focus on 15.6 miles, consisting of 7.1 miles of existing designated trail and 8.5 miles of new and adopted undesignated trail.

The result will be to eliminate most of the 26.9 miles of undesignated and unmarked trails that criss-cross the top of the mesa. Prominent signage will encourage people to stay only on designated trails.

For comparison, North Table Mountain has 17 trail miles on 1,998 acres and South Table Mountain will have 15.6 trail miles on 1,484 acres. The work is to be done by the Open Space trail crew this spring, summer and fall, starting with the Dome Flow and Serpentine trails on the southwest side.

The plan was published online on You Tube March 27 under the title South Table Mountain Park Plan and 2020 Actions Presentation, after a March 25 public meeting was canceled due to health concerns. Senior Planner Kristina Duff is the video presenter. The video can be accessed here or click on the picture above.

Jeffco will build an improved path to the mesa’s protected raptor habitat, which is closed to the public from Feb. 1 to July 31, after which construction can take place. This summer, work will be done to create a connection to Golden-owned property on the west end of the park. The work on the east side will take place before the end of the year. Informational kiosks have been installed at nine location where people enter the park. The public is invited to volunteer for the 2020 National Trails Day June 6 and the 2020 Land Steward Program. The public comment period is open until April 29, email comments to st*@****co.us.

PLAN Jeffco logo

North Table OS Park

Let’s not love our wonderful Jefferson County Open Space to death!!

/0 Comments/in , , , /by

Jefferson County Open Space Parks are open and free to all. Even though they were already extremely popular prior to the COVID-19 crisis, they are now being overwhelmed on a daily basis by all of us seeking respite from our stay-at-home orders and seeking exercise and relief from restrictive directives. Children love the freedom that the parks provide, tending to frolic and rough-house in groups.  Furthermore, with so many people passing each other on narrow sections of the

North Table OS Park

Photo courtesy of CarbonFibrePhoto

trails, our required social distancing is being compromised.  Remember that even out in the “fresh air,” pathogens can infect when in close proximity to others.  Finally, the park parking lots are overflowing—every day!

This presents a strong likelihood of resource damage: How to enjoy our open spaces, yet give the wild denizens space, and preserve it all for those to who will come in the future.

For safety reasons there are no park volunteers to remind us of proper behaviors, leaving the staff rangers the near impossible task of trying to cover 56,000 acres, and 244 miles of trails by themselves. We must each take on the responsibility of honoring the rules.  PLAN Jeffco respectfully offers these guidelines and thanks everyone, not only for following them but also for your support via the ½ cent sales tax collected for Open Space at Jeffco businesses:

*If you find the parking lot overflowing onto the neighborhood streets, please move on to another park.

*Stay on the trail whenever possible, while honoring social distances. Be careful where you step as there may be delicate new plant growth this time of the year, even snakes!

* Observe park, trail or area closures.

* Uphill foot traffic has the right-of-way, although they may step aside, since it gives them a chance to rest.

* Take note of and avoid early plant growth.

* Visit at non-peak hours, such as before 11:00 AM and after 3:00 PM.

* Observe social distancing and follow guidelines posted at trailheads.

In general, practice the kindergarten rules: Be nice to others – and respect the land you are enjoying.

 

Tunnel Number One – Here We Come!!

/0 Comments/in , , , /by

Concrete Express backhoe cutting in the trail.

The cut-in trail looking back towards Golden.

Work on the trails at the mouth of Clear Creek Canyon began last fall. These photos show Concrete Express cutting the base for the trail along the south side of Clear Creek, so the trail construction crew will be able to build the abutment for the bridge crossing just east of Tunnel Number One. The bridge abutments will be the next major task. Stay tuned for regular reports on how the construction is progressing.

 

2020 Open Space Conservation Awards

/0 Comments/in , , /by

Jeffco Open Space hosts an annual volunteer and partner appreciation breakfast. Several PLAN Jeffco Board members were at the Lakewood Cultural Center to help celebrate this year’s recipients.

Aspen Rookie Volunteer Award – given to a first-year volunteer who epitomizes the enthusiasm of the Open Space Volunteer Program. This year’s recipient is Ian Francescato for his extraordinary work as a Trailhead Steward.

Rocky Mountain Juniper Stewardship Award – given to 6-year volunteer Tom Ging, who works with the Real Estate Group. He has developed a protocol for scanning and cataloguing real estate documents.

Douglas Fir Partnership Award – given to Mountainsmith, https://mountainsmith.com/ Mountainsmith has had an ongoing partnership with Open Space for many years. Formed in 1979, they manufacture and sell outdoor products and offer discounts on their product line for OS staff and volunteers. They participate in volunteer trail days and sponsor events that get people into the outdoors, as well as supporting the JCOS Adventure Club for foster children.

Blue Spruce Outdoor Connections Award – given to Great Outdoors Colorado for their quarter-century partnership with JCOS. They have awarded 176 grants, $47M, to conserve 6440 acres of land in Jefferson County alone.

Gambel Oak Pioneer Award – given to Denver Mountain Parks for their pioneering spirit and preservation efforts in the early 1900s that have influenced and helped guide Jefferson County Open Space.

John Litz Award – given to Jan Wilkins for her 15 years of service on the Jefferson County Open Space Advisory Committee and her other volunteer efforts in the realm of open space conservation. Jan chaired the committee that pushed for the Open Space bonds in 1997-98. Following passage of the bonds measure by 74% of the voters, Jan joined OSAC, served as Vice-Chair, and helped preserve nearly 20,000 acres of Open Space lands. She served on the committees for the Party for the Parks (2013) and 2014 OS Master Plan. Said John Litz, as he was presenting the award, “The main thing about Jan is that you could always count on her to be a solid performer and do everything that she possibly could to further the effort.”

Congratulations to all the recipients!

Jan Wilkins, when she accepted her award, said: “None of this (meaning the Open Space Program) would be possible if it weren’t for everyone else.” If you’d like to get more involved with Open Space, if you’re interested in learning more about the program, the annual Volunteer Fair will be held at the JCOS Headquarters, 700 Jefferson County Pkwy, Suite 100 Golden. You can check out all volunteer positions on Thursday, 2/20, from 4:30 to 6:30 PM and again on Saturday, 2/22, from 10 AM to 1:30 PM.

https://www.jeffco.us/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1070

You can view the award winners at https://bit.ly/2S982aS

Great Blue Heron at Crown Hill OS Park

Reminder: Seasonal Wildlife Closures at OS Parks Begins Feb 1

/0 Comments/in , , , /by

Great Blue Heron at Crown Hill OS Park, In Plein Sight 2016

Great Blue Heron at Crown Hill OS Park, In Plein Sight 2016

We all love our Jeffco Open Space parks, but we can’t forget that these places are home for any number of wild critters. And, during certain times of the year, parts of the parks have to be off-limits to humans, so that these furred, feathered and finned colleagues can carry on with their life activities.

Jeffco OS posted a full listing of upcoming closures for 2020 at https://www.jeffco.us/civicalerts.aspx?AID=395. But, as a reminder:

Centennial Cone Park  
Elk Range Trail at Centennial Cone Park, including the interior of the park, is closed from February 1 through mid-June to protect elk during their calving season.

Clear Creek Canyon Park 
Portions of Clear Creek Canyon Park near Mile Marker 270 are closed to all public use uphill of US Highway 6 from February 1 through July 31 to protect raptor nesting territory. This closure includes the following rock climbing sites: Bumbling Stock, Stumbling Block, Skinny Legs, Blonde Formation, and Ghost Crag. The Fault Caves are also included in this closure.

Portions of Clear Creek Canyon Park, near Tunnel 2, are closed to all public use uphill of US Highway 6 from February 1 through July 31 to protect raptor nesting territory. This closure includes the following rock climbing sites: Highlander, Evil Area, and Tetanus Garden.

Deer Creek Canyon Park/Hildebrand Ranch Park
The entirety of Black Bear Trail, which connects Deer Creek Canyon Park and Hildebrand Ranch Park, is closed from February 1 through July 31 to protect raptor nesting territory.

North Table Mountain Park
Rim Rock Trail at North Table Mountain Park is closed from February 1 through July 31 to protect raptor nesting territory and ground-nesting bird habitat.

South Table Mountain Park
Lava Loop Trail at South Table Mountain Park is closed from February 1 through July 31 to protect raptor nesting territory and ground-nesting bird habitat.

Cathedral Spires Park
The entirety of Cathedral Spires Park is closed from March 1 through July 31 to protect raptor nesting territory.

Crown Hill Park
The Crown Hill Park Wildlife Sanctuary is closed from March 1 through June 30 to protect nesting and brooding waterfowl.

For more information on these closures and restrictions, plus what a violation might cost you in fines, etc, go to the Jeffco Civic Alerts page.

Bottom line, if your favorite trail/hike/area will be closed after 1 February, hike/bike/visit it NOW. Then kick back and chill until it’s open again.

Happy hiking/biking/riding!!!