Open Space and Mountain Parks is closing trails south of Boulder to prevent trail and vegetation damage
The City of Boulder’s Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) Department is closing trails and trailheads south of Boulder today because melting snow has caused trails to become extremely muddy, and visitor traffic will likely result in damage to trails and adjacent plant life. OSMP is closing the Flatirons Vista, Marshall Mesa and the Greenbelt Plateau trailheads. The closures of those trailheads will also lead to the closing of the following trails:
• Marshall Mesa
• Marshall Valley
• Coal Seam
• High Plains
• Greenbelt Plateau
• Community Ditch
• Cowdrey Draw
• Doudy Draw
• North and South Flatirons Vista
• Prairie Vista
• The North and South Fork of Spring Brook Loop
The Goshawk Trail will remain open and accessible from either the Fowler Trail or County Road 67. The Doudy Draw Trailhead will remain open for visitors wishing to access the South Mesa Trail.
When trails become muddy, visitors will often hike parallel to existing trails – which can cause widening and braiding of the trails, along with trampling of plants. Additionally, visitor traffic along muddy trails can cause lasting damage to trail tread. OSMP advises that hiking on muddy trails is difficult and may be unpleasant for visitors.
Although trails in the north part of the system remain open, conditions there may also be very muddy. OSMP asks that visitors mitigate resource damage by remaining on trail and avoid traveling along severely muddy trails.
• Marshall Mesa
• Marshall Valley
• Coal Seam
• High Plains
• Greenbelt Plateau
• Community Ditch
• Cowdrey Draw
• Doudy Draw
• North and South Flatirons Vista
• Prairie Vista
• The North and South Fork of Spring Brook Loop
The Goshawk Trail will remain open and accessible from either the Fowler Trail or County Road 67. The Doudy Draw Trailhead will remain open for visitors wishing to access the South Mesa Trail.
When trails become muddy, visitors will often hike parallel to existing trails – which can cause widening and braiding of the trails, along with trampling of plants. Additionally, visitor traffic along muddy trails can cause lasting damage to trail tread. OSMP advises that hiking on muddy trails is difficult and may be unpleasant for visitors.
Although trails in the north part of the system remain open, conditions there may also be very muddy. OSMP asks that visitors mitigate resource damage by remaining on trail and avoid traveling along severely muddy trails.
OSMP staff will continue to assess closed trails and will open as them as soon as possible. OSMP and its trail crew staff appreciates visitors’ respects for these closures, which will help to prevent resource damage to area lands. For more information on trail closures and openings, please visit osmp.org.
BCHA Nicker 
Really good to know. I passed it along to other trail users.
LikeLike