Tag: outdoors
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New management eyed for Maroon Bells, continuing a trend across federal lands in Colorado
One of Colorado’s top postcard images will remain the same. But behind the scenes, the management of Maroon Bells Scenic Area could look different. The U.S. Forest Service is considering a special-use permit for Pitkin County to manage the day-to-day around the iconic lake reflecting the twin peaks. Between May and October of last year,…
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Free shuttle starts to Red Rocks, other destinations west of Denver
A long-envisioned shuttle to top outdoor destinations in the Denver area has officially hit the road. Memorial Day weekend marked the launch of Westracks ー beginning an initiative to cut back emissions and hassles for drivers who might otherwise fight traffic and struggle for parking. The free shuttle is also aimed at getting people without…
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Happy Trails: A favorite loop at Stratton Open Space in Colorado Springs
Meadows Trail Stratton Open Space is a poster child of Colorado Springs’ Trails, Open Space and Parks (TOPS) initiative, which voters approved in 1997. That set aside a portion of sales tax revenues to preserve natural areas 一 an early example being this hilly mosaic of meadows and woods between the neighborhood and North Cheyenne…
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Vision shaping for long-sought bike path off scenic, deadly highway in Colorado
In Boulder, local and visiting cyclists have long sought a dedicated path away from the popular but dangerous shoulders of a highway through scenic, hilly countryside. They’ll have to keep waiting. A bike path along U.S. 36 between Boulder and Lyons still requires bureaucratic approvals, tens of millions of dollars and potentially another year or…
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Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway reopening for visitors eager to return after closure
After nearly two years away, Coloradans will return to one of the state’s most scenic roads Memorial Day weekend. Mount Blue Sky Scenic Byway is reopening ー North America’s highest paved road climbing more than 7,000 feet from Idaho Springs toward the summit near 14,130 feet. Reservations can be booked at Recreation.gov: $20 for vehicles…
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Colorado mountain town launching wildflower festival, hoping for blooms and summer boon
Come July, Crested Butte Wildflower Festival will celebrate 40 years ー a colorful tradition that has contributed to the town’s reputation as “the Wildflower Capital of Colorado.” A week before the festival, another Colorado mountain town will look to grow such a reputation. Breckenridge Wildflower Week is set for July 2-12, the first of what…
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Massive snowfall creates giant South Colony puddles | Take a Hike
The South Colony basin hovers at about 12,000 feet and is surrounded by lofty peaks with sheer cliffs that dump a ton of snow into the basin over the winter. As the snow thaws and recedes the Lower and Upper lakes remain like giant puddles. Although this basin lies farther south near Westcliffe, with the…
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Massive snowfall creates giant South Colony puddles | Take a Hike
The South Colony basin hovers at about 12,000 feet and is surrounded by lofty peaks with sheer cliffs that dump a ton of snow into the basin over the winter. As the snow thaws and recedes the Lower and Upper lakes remain like giant puddles. Although this basin lies farther south near Westcliffe, with the…
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Proposed trail in Manitou Springs sparks debate over recreation, conservation
A vision for a short trail in the hills of Manitou Springs has garnered long conversations at City Hall, underscoring a broader debate over recreation and conservation. So went a recent conversation at a City Council meeting, which ended with leadership voting in favor of an environmental study to help inform a potential trail through…
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Is not sharing caring? For hikers and mountain bikers, it’s a question around Colorado’s busiest trails
Should some trails be for bikes only and other trails for people on foot? Or should there be rules on which direction bikers, hikers, runners and equestrians move? Or should there be certain days of the week for certain uses? Maybe not sharing is caring? Across the Colorado Front Range’s increasingly complicated recreation landscape, these…