Monday, October 30, 2006

Natural / Human History Destination Hikes



Connection Ecology Visitory Opportunity
Boulder Open Space and Mountain Park Demonstration Project

Boulder Open Space and Mountain Park Demonstration Project
The initial focus of the Connection Ecology site was a demonstration project designed to show the City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Park Department how they could apply Connection Ecology principles to its Vistor Planning efforts. This effort suggested ways in which environmental connections could be fostered. While these ideas have not been implemented, they still illustrate the kind of planning the could and should be done.

The accompanying maps can be found at this post

Visitor understanding of natural and human history he can also be developed with a series of historical "destination" hikes such as those suggested below. .

Dinosaur Sandbar / Clay Pit Along the Dakota Hogback, sometimes called "Dinosaur Ridge," east of Eldorado Mountain a series of old clay pits reveal an ancient, petrified sand bar with seemingly endless water ripple marks. This is dinosaur tracking country. A trail built along the length of these old quarries would literally give people the opportunity to track real dinosaurs. While the tracks to be found are rare and hardly of museum quality, the experience of being able to track dinosaurs in the wild is priceless.

Eldorado Railroad Before the invention of the automobile and Vail's (the highway engineer) all season highways railroads were the way people got around Colorado. For decades the elusive challenge was to find a way to penetrate the Rocky Mountains west of Denver. And, Eldorado Canyon was an important target of these efforts. Before completion of the current high-level grade which connects with the Moffat Tunnel and Winter Park, engineers for the Denver, Utah, and Pacific Railroad attempted to penetrate the Canyon with a lower-level rail line. While the project was never finished, the roadbed still exists and forms the foundation for the Fowler Trail and the upper Dowdy Draw trail. In recognition of its key part of our history and its spectacular views of Eldorado Canyon, the connection ecology maps propose reopening the connecting, center portion of the old railroad grade from Dowdy Draw to the Fowler Trail.

Water Resource Hikes Boulder residents are also almost completely unaware of the fact that, without irrigation, the valley in which they live would be almost completely devoid of trees. The history of water diversion projects is central to the history of Boulder. Few, for example, realize that Viele Lake was constructed and filled by an irrigation ditch from South Boulder Creek before there were any houses in Boulder south of Baseline Road. The abandoned irrigation ditch is a bit of history that still exists and could be highlighted on existing trails or even form the basis of a new trail from Fairview High School to South Boulder Creek.

Other key points of interest related to water development include the Denver Water Board Supply Canal, the Marshall ditch, the Silver Lake ditch, the old and now abandoned city reservoirs behind Red Rocks, the system which generates hydroelectric power from the flow the city's municipal water, and the city's numerous water tanks and reservoirs. Interpretive materials which help people understand the elaborate environmental transformations that are required to support our modern urban society should be available at these interest points.

Bear Creek Natural / Human History Trail Not only does the scenic Bear Creek Trail take you through the igneous rocks that form the foundation of the Rocky Mountains. You are also able to see the geologic succession of overlying sedimentary rocks which shape so much of the area's environment. Noteworthy points of interest include the Fountain Formation which produces the Flatirons, the Lyons sandstone (found on University buildings), the Dakota / Dinosaur Ridge, and the Four-mile fault. A expert geologist could undoubtedly put together a fascinating collection of materials for visitors to this area.

The canyon's eyesore power line is also a great historical interest. Created in the early 1900s as part of one of Boulder's earliest power projects -- involving Barker reservoir, Kossler lake, and the Boulder Canyon power plant (at the tunnel). The siting of this power line away from the obvious route through downtown is reported to be one of Boulder's earliest efforts to protect its environment.

Early Settlements A lot of existing trails consist of old roads to homesteads, a few of which are still visible. Interpretive materials which tell the story of what it was like to settle these areas will also serve to deepen visitor understanding of the area's human history as would materials describing Native American habitation of the area. The connection ecology maps mark many of these cabins, along with the few surprises, like the place on the Gregory Canyon trail where you can see the ruts apparently cut into the solid rock by steel-rimmed wagon wheels.
Farming HikesOne of the consequences of our high tech society is that average citizens have lost almost all connection with the agricultural and mining activities required to support our society. One way in which the OSMP program might be able to limit this disconnect is through a series of interpretive farming and ranching programs which actively encourage people to take hiking, jogging, and biking trails which wind their way through active agricultural areas. People ought to be able to see what it takes to plant, grow, and harvest the fields of hay, corn, wheat, and, perhaps, a few vegetable crops. While this may require the redirecting of some farming activities, it could also go a long way toward demonstrating what modern, environmentally sensitive agriculture is all about. It would even be informative to include temporary closures for the application of pesticides and herbicides.

Mining Hikes The area's role as a mining center is now largely a matter of history. The adverse impacts of mineral extraction have now largely been transferred to other areas and other countries. Still, given our resource-intensive lifestyle, we ought to do what we can to highlight the long shadow cast by the area's quite limited mining activities. In addition to highlighting area coal mining in Marshall and elsewhere, the visitor plan might include a review of the area's many clay pits, and Lyons sandstone quarries. Here the extensive work required to restore the old Conda quarry is worth drawing to visitors' attention.

Ecology Hikes

Boulder Open Space and Mountain Park Demonstration Project
The initial focus of the Connection Ecology site was a demonstration project designed to show the City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Park Department how they could apply Connection Ecology principles to its Vistor Planning efforts. This effort suggested ways in which environmental connections could be fostered. While these ideas have not been implemented, they still illustrate the kind of planning the could and should be done.

The accompanying maps can be found at this post.

Encouraging visitors to take ecological or "destination" hikes can do a lot to increase the sophistication of popular understanding of a broad range of issues. Suggested below are a number of possibilities.


Before and After Tours: In everyday life we are poorly equipped to observe long-term change. Our brains are attuned to motions measured in frames per second not frames per decade. Many of the visitor opportunities outlined here and in the history section involve "before and after" destination hikes. Such hikes can be created with limited signage and a few brochures (which could easily be made available at trailheads, visitor centers, and over the Web). The brochures, with accompanying historical photographs, would invite visitors to revisit the historical camera vantage points and see how things have changed. Also included would be appropriate interpretive materials explaining the science behind the changes and the resulting policy dilemmas.



Forest Ecology: Connection ecology maps mark recent fires on the front shoulder of the Second Flatiron, the north flank of the mouth of Skunk Canyon, the Bluebell/Baird trail, the area west of the Mesa Trail and south of the Maiden water tank. Also marked are forest thinning operations on Shanahan Ridge and Enchanted Mesa as well as controlled burns on Flagstaff, Enchanted Mesa, and Shanahan Ridge. There's even a small, unthinned and overgrown forest on Shanahan Ridge with densely packed but stunted trees. Finally, there are disease kills on the West Ridge trails of both Bear Peak and Green Mountain and on the North Face of the Green Mountain Summit cone.

Non-native Species: A second complex ecological issue facing the parks which is invisible to the casual observer involves the invasion of various non-native species. In some cases the invasions involve relatively stable populations of species deliberately introduced by humans wishing to enhance the environment with, for example, apple trees and wildflowers. Other invasions, such as the many different kinds of thistle are, however, quite capable of overrunning existing populations and significantly harming the environment. Informative fliers would guide people to places where they can witness the process of ecological invasion and make their own, more informed, judgments about what control measures are appropriate. Connection ecology maps highlight apple and oak tree locations in Gregory Canyon and sweet peas on Chautauqua Hill and thistle infestations on Flagstaff and Shanahan Ridge. OSMP staff could certainly identify additional areas where non-native species problems can be observed.

Wildlife Observation Blinds: Large sections of mountain parkland (including the popular rock climbing areas of the Amphitheater and the Third Flatiron) are now closed much of the year to protect nesting raptors. In order to build public understanding of these beautiful birds and the role that they play in the ecosystem, the connection ecology program would construct short spurs from existing trails to raptor observation points where people could unobtrusively observe the birds as well as review appropriate interpretive materials. Here the map suggests a Bluebell Canyon overlook spur from the Royal Arch Trail.

Seasonal Variations Hikes: One advantage of the Web and the system's many on trail bulletin boards is the ability to post a broad range of seasonal interpretive materials. It should not be very expensive to post continually changing "what you can see this month" bulletins highlighting things like blooming wildflowers, pine tree pollination season, migrating birds, and seasonal animal behavior.

Wednesday, October 25, 2006

Inspirational Viewpoints




Boulder Open Space and Mountain Park Demonstration Project
The initial focus of the Connection Ecology site was a demonstration project designed to show the City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Park Department how they could apply Connection Ecology principles to its Vistor Planning efforts. This effort suggested ways in which environmental connections could be fostered. While these ideas have not been implemented, they still illustrate the kind of planning the could and should be done.

The accompanying maps can be found at this post


For many visitors, the most rewarding part of their open space visit is time spent relaxing at one of the area's truly inspiring viewpoints. Given the importance of these views and the general shortage of places to enjoy them apart from the bustle of the busy trail, the connection ecology maps highlight a number of commonly missed, but spectacular viewpoints which can be reached by short spur trails. Among viewpoints marked on the maps are the following.

Eldorado Mountain and Bear Peak Among the viewpoints highlighted is a view of Eldorado Canyon from the old railroad grade (assuming that access to a trail following this grade is approved--see history hike page). Another viewpoint (and this is the last one that requires the formal acceptance of significant new trail segments ascends to the summit of Dakota Ridge on a prominent social trail from the saddle between Eldorado Springs and Shadow Canyon. Another key viewpoint is found on the west end of the mesa which separates the Towhee trail from the South Mesa trail. Shadow Canyon hikers who commonly experience an endless walk through the trees could benefit from a short spur to a spectacular viewpoint at the base of the large boulderfield below the Devil's Thumb. Currently, the old microwave tower trail stops a few feet short of a spectacular viewpoint on the crest of the Dakota Ridge southwest of NCAR. Another highlighted viewpoint avoids the riparian area along Bear Creek while still providing easy access to one of the Mountain Park's few waterfalls (in the late spring only).

Green Mountain Given the short supply of uncrowded viewpoints at the top of Green Mountain, the connection ecology map notes that a short trail connecting the two west ends of the switchbacks just before the summit of the Greenman trail would take visitors to a rocky outcropping with a spectacular view of the Indian Peaks. Three other exceptional views in this busy area are also marked. One follows a short spur from the West Ridge Trail to one of the many hills overlooking Long and Panther canyons. An even more spectacular viewpoint can be reached from the short scramble onto the rocks at the end of the last major switchback on the Ranger trail (before the junction with the West Ridge Trail). Yet another viewpoint gives visitors an opportunity to look down on the Flatirons from a few feet off the Greenman trail where it first approaches the crest of the Saddle Rock ridge. There are also numerous viewpoints on the unmapped climber access trails around the Flatirons including one in the boulderfield separating the Second and Third Flatirons, another at the back of the Third Flatiron, the First Flatironette, and three major viewpoints on the First / Second Flatiron trail (one of which actually takes hikers to the middle of the Flatirons and a view normally reserved for rock climbers only).

Flagstaff / Redrocks Area The Connection Ecology maps also recognize great views at the end of a short spur off the Flagstaff trail to the top of Campbell's cliffs and another viewpoint to the southeast of Alamo Rock. West of Red Rocks there are great views from the east end of the "pipeline" road and at the west end of Anemone ridge (at the OSMP boundary).
General CommentsThese are only some of the suggested viewpoints. The careful review of the connection ecology maps will find more. While I have not marked the many inspirational views accessible from existing trails, inclusion of information about these viewpoints would help people plan more rewarding hikes. These places can all be made a bit more enjoyable with a little discrete reworking of area rocks and wants to provide informal and comfortable places to sit.

Friday, October 20, 2006

Natural / Human History Destination Hikes




Boulder Open Space and Mountain Park Demonstration Project

Natural / Human History Destination Hikes
NOTE: Many of the destination hikes described on this page are marked on the connection ecology maps. Consult the legend for a key to the symbols.


Visitor understanding of natural and human history he can also be developed with a series of historical "destination" hikes such as those suggested below. .


Dinosaur Sandbar / Clay Pit Along the Dakota Hogback, sometimes called "Dinosaur Ridge," east of Eldorado Mountain a series of old clay pits reveal an ancient, petrified sand bar with seemingly endless water ripple marks. This is dinosaur tracking country. A trail built along the length of these old quarries would literally give people the opportunity to track real dinosaurs. While the tracks to be found are rare and hardly of museum quality, the experience of being able to track dinosaurs in the wild is priceless.


Eldorado Railroad Before the invention of the automobile and Vail's (the highway engineer) all season highways railroads were the way people got around Colorado. For decades the elusive challenge was to find a way to penetrate the Rocky Mountains west of Denver. And, Eldorado Canyon was an important target of these efforts. Before completion of the current high-level grade which connects with the Moffat Tunnel and Winter Park, engineers for the Denver, Utah, and Pacific Railroad attempted to penetrate the Canyon with a lower-level rail line. While the project was never finished, the roadbed still exists and forms the foundation for the Fowler Trail and the upper Dowdy Draw trail. In recognition of its key part of our history and its spectacular views of Eldorado Canyon, the connection ecology maps propose reopening the connecting, center portion of the old railroad grade from Dowdy Draw to the Fowler Trail.


Water Resource Hikes Boulder residents are also almost completely unaware of the fact that, without irrigation, the valley in which they live would be almost completely devoid of trees. The history of water diversion projects is central to the history of Boulder. Few, for example, realize that Viele Lake was constructed and filled by an irrigation ditch from South Boulder Creek before there were any houses in Boulder south of Baseline Road. The abandoned irrigation ditch is a bit of history that still exists and could be highlighted on existing trails or even form the basis of a new trail from Fairview High School to South Boulder Creek.


Other key points of interest related to water development include the Denver Water Board Supply Canal, the Marshall ditch, the Silver Lake ditch, the old and now abandoned city reservoirs behind Red Rocks, the system which generates hydroelectric power from the flow the city's municipal water, and the city's numerous water tanks and reservoirs. Interpretive materials which help people understand the elaborate environmental transformations that are required to support our modern urban society should be available at these interest points.


Bear Creek Natural / Human History Trail Not only does the scenic Bear Creek Trail take you through the igneous rocks that form the foundation of the Rocky Mountains. You are also able to see the geologic succession of overlying sedimentary rocks which shape so much of the area's environment. Noteworthy points of interest include the Fountain Formation which produces the Flatirons, the Lyons sandstone (found on University buildings), the Dakota / Dinosaur Ridge, and the Four-mile fault. A expert geologist could undoubtedly put together a fascinating collection of materials for visitors to this area.


The canyon's eyesore power line is also a great historical interest. Created in the early 1900s as part of one of Boulder's earliest power projects -- involving Barker reservoir, Kossler lake, and the Boulder Canyon power plant (at the tunnel). The siting of this power line away from the obvious route through downtown is reported to be one of Boulder's earliest efforts to protect its environment.


Early Settlements A lot of existing trails consist of old roads to homesteads, a few of which are still visible. Interpretive materials which tell the story of what it was like to settle these areas will also serve to deepen visitor understanding of the area's human history as would materials describing Native American habitation of the area. The connection ecology maps mark many of these cabins, along with the few surprises, like the place on the Gregory Canyon trail where you can see the ruts apparently cut into the solid rock by steel-rimmed wagon wheels.


Farming Hikes One of the consequences of our high tech society is that average citizens have lost almost all connection with the agricultural and mining activities required to support our society. One way in which the OSMP program might be able to limit this disconnect is through a series of interpretive farming and ranching programs which actively encourage people to take hiking, jogging, and biking trails which wind their way through active agricultural areas. People ought to be able to see what it takes to plant, grow, and harvest the fields of hay, corn, wheat, and, perhaps, a few vegetable crops. While this may require the redirecting of some farming activities, it could also go a long way toward demonstrating what modern, environmentally sensitive agriculture is all about. It would even be informative to include temporary closures for the application of pesticides and herbicides.

Mining Hikes The area's role as a mining center is now largely a matter of history. The adverse impacts of mineral extraction have now largely been transferred to other areas and other countries. Still, given our resource-intensive lifestyle, we ought to do what we can to highlight the long shadow cast by the area's quite limited mining activities. In addition to highlighting area coal mining in Marshall and elsewhere, the visitor plan might include a review of the area's many clay pits, and Lyons sandstone quarries. Here the extensive work required to restore the old Conda quarry is worth drawing to visitors' attention.

Tuesday, October 10, 2006

Demonstration Project Maps / Legend



Boulder Open Space and Mountain Park Demonstration Project
The initial focus of the Connection Ecology site was a demonstration project designed to show the City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Park Department how they could apply Connection Ecology principles to its Vistor Planning efforts. This effort produced the following maps suggesting ways in which environmental connections could be fostered. While these ideas have not been implemented, they still illustrate the kind of planning the could and should be done.

Commentary accompanying these maps is found on the following posts:

Ecology Hikes
Natural / Human History Hikes
Inspirational Viewpoints

Legend


Flagstaff

Green Mountain

Bear Peak

Eldorado Mountain

Sunday, October 01, 2006

Proposed Marshall Mesa Interpretive Trail



Guy Burgess

Note: This post was written at an earlier stage in the ongoing public debate over Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks policies. While somewhat dated, the post still raises important issues which are still relevant.

Among urban environmentalists and wilderness recreationists, the least well understood local ecosystem is the prairie. Seldom appreciated as a vibrant ecosystem, it is commonly seen as little more than vacant land – a place where any human use is preferable to leaving the land the way it was. From metro Denver you have to drive a very long way – perhaps of the Pawnee National Grasslands to get a sense of what the prairie was like before the great waves of farming, ranching, urbanization, and accompanying irrigation. At Marshall Mesa have a rare opportunity to change that with construction of an interpretive "prairie appreciation" trail.

While I don't know the area well enough to propose a specific alignment, I do think that you need something with the following characteristics. First, and in keeping with the area's designation as a Habitat Conservation Area, I see this as an on-trail-only trail with a double fence, "cattle chute" design in particularly sensitive areas. It would be an out-and-back trail that would, because it provides access to sensitive areas, be closed to cyclists and equestrians. (Hitching posts and bike racks could be available at the trailhead.) The design could also include spurs that would be closed during the nesting season and other environmentally sensitive times.

The alignment would follow an unobtrusive and wandering route that would tour the different types of grasslands, riparian zones, big views, and wildlife observation areas. Where appropriate wildlife observation blinds and shaded benches could be built. Interpretive materials could be keyed to numbered posts and accompanying interpretive pamphlet which could be distributed at the trailhead and made available online. There might also be a short and long versions of the pamphlet for visitors with differing levels of interest. Also available would be bird lists, plant identification guides, historical descriptions, and explanations of applicable agricultural practices. The exact length of the trail would depend upon the geographic distribution of points of interest (though something around a mile and a half would probably work). You want to get people to the point where they can experience the sights and sounds of the prairie without interference from adjacent urban areas.

With good planning you should be able to build public support for prairie preservation while simultaneously protecting the area's sensitive environmental resources.