Category Archives: Events
Cleaning Up the Lower Grindstone Quarry Trail
BATCO volunteers had a great day in October at Heil Valley Ranch removing many buckets of Cal-Wood Fire derived silt and ash from the trail steps on both sides of the creek. We also built new water bars farther up the trail. Thanks, everyone!
HELP BATCO AND BCPOS RE-OPEN HEIL VALLEY RANCH
NOW IS THE TIME TO SIGN UP! October 9, 2021
Boulder County Parks and Open Space has been making some progress cleaning up Heil Valley Ranch after the Calwood Fire. They had hoped to be able to re-open the south of the Park this fall, but unfortunately will not be able to meet that goal until spring of 2022. However, volunteers can help accelerate the project.
What: We will be reworking the low water crossing on the Grindstone Quarry Trail, removing some remnants from the debris flow that occurred earlier this year, touching up some areas around rock steps and then adding ¾” rock to the area.
The work will be moderately strenuous and will include the use of hand tools such as McLeods, pick mattocks, rakes, and shovels. (However, you can do as much hard work or as little as you like!)
When: Saturday, October 9
Meeting time: 8:00am Project End time: 12:00 pm
Where: Please plan to meet at Lefthand Canyon/Geer Canyon Dr at 8:00 and once everyone is accounted for head towards one of the parking areas. Staff will meet us at the park entrance and then lead everyone in to the parking area.
RSVP: Chris Morrison
chris46morrison@gmail.com
303-499-2033
Please contact Chris in addition to signing the county’s waiver below so we can plan.
Here is a link for participants to sign a waiver before the project: https://waiver.fr/p-6H7aT Or you can sign up the morning of the work project on an ipad staff will provide.
Weather: The weather looks GREAT for next weekend! However, weather in Colorado is unpredictable at any time of year. It is important that you bring warm and waterproof clothing that you can work in, as we will try to complete the work even in slightly inclement weather (cold temps, light rain/snow).
What You Should Bring:
Water bottle and water
Snacks
Sturdy shoes/boots – no sandals please
Pants – recommended
Sunscreen
Work gloves (if you have a special pair) otherwise we will provide them
Layers of clothes
Rain gear
Backpack – for carrying clothing, food, etc.
Binoculars or camera (optional)
We Will Provide:
Snacks
Work gloves
Extra Water
First aid kit
All necessary tools
Thanks in advance for volunteering with BATCO and Boulder County Parks & Open Space!
Posted in Events, News
Tagged BATCO, Boulder Area Trails Coalition, Boulder County, Heil Valley Ranch, trail repair, volunteer
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Help Boulder County Repair Trails at Heil Valley Ranch – October 9
SAVE THE DATE! October 9, 2021
Boulder County Parks and Open Space has been making some progress cleaning up Heil Valley Ranch after the Calwood Fire. They had hoped to be able to re-open the south of the Park this fall, but unfortunately will not be able to meet that goal until spring of 2022. However, volunteers can help accelerate the project.
Help BATCO get it done!
What: The work will entail removal of vegetation overgrowth, moving slash/trees along the trail corridor to keep the trail from widening, and redefining sections of trail that have seen sediment deposition from storms.
The work will be moderately strenuous and will include the use of hand tools such as McLeods, pick mattocks, rakes, and shovels. (However, you can do as much hard work or as little as you like!)
When: Saturday, October 9
Meeting time: 8:00am Project End time: 12:00 pm
Where: We will provide more detailed location information as we approach the date
RSVP: Chris Morrison
chris46morrison@gmail.com
303-499-2033
Weather: Weather in Colorado is unpredictable at any time of year. It is important that you bring warm and waterproof clothing that you can work in, as we will try to complete the work even in slightly inclement weather (cold temps, light rain/snow).
What You Should Bring:
Water bottle and water
Snacks
Sturdy shoes/boots – no sandals please
Pants – recommended
Sunscreen
Work gloves (if you have a special pair) otherwise we will provide them
Layers of clothes
Rain gear
Backpack – for carrying clothing, food, etc.
Binoculars or camera (optional)
We Will Provide:
Snacks
Work gloves
Extra Water
First aid kit
All necessary tools
Thanks in advance for volunteering with BATCO and Boulder County Parks & Open Space!
A New Way to Support the Trail Around Boulder (TAB)
BATCO is pleased to announce a cool new way to enjoy the trails west of Boulder and support the Trail Around Boulder at the same time. This is a joint project with Jon “Cowboy” Eisen, who is challenging trail runners and others, in his words, “to run the Boulder Skyline Traverse as many times as you can this Fall! COVID makes motivation a little tough for many of us, so I created this challenge to give us something to compete with each other and ourselves. Whether you’ve run the skyline a million times or have never run it, this challenge is for you.
To enter the challenge, simply go directly to the Boulder Area Trails Coalition (BATCO) website and donate $10 (or more!). Please indicate that you want your donation to be a benefit for the Trail Around Boulder (TAB) and send me the receipt to enter. Plus, every entrant gets a really cool custom-designed Skyline Traverse die-cut sticker.
Please see the Skyline Traverse website for all details. I hope y’all will join me!”
Note from BATCO: The Trail Around Boulder is REALLY CLOSE to being complete — it’s got only a few small missing links but we need some dedicated Trail Champions to make sure it gets done. Please contact BATCO for more information. A big shout out to Jon Eisen for coming up with this challenge, and thank you all in advance for your support.
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A couple of scenes from the Grindstone Quarry Trail Opening, Heil Valley Ranch, Oct 9, 2019
Chris Morrison, Kiowa, and Suzanne Webel at the new trailhead
Gail Matheson and Lucky, Suzanne Webel and Kiowa on the section of trail BATCO built.
Heil Valley Ranch Corral Trailhead and new trails grand opening celebration
Boulder County, Colo. – Boulder County Board of Commissioners and Parks & Open Space staff will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Heil Valley Ranch, located northwest of Boulder. Staff will be celebrating the completion of the Corral trailhead and connected trails, as well as the opening of the brand new Grindstone Quarry trail, an equestrian parking lot, and the restored historical Altona School.
What: Ribbon-cutting ceremony for Corral Trailhead and new trails
When: Wednesday, Oct. 9, 4 p.m.
Where: Heil Valley Ranch Corral Trailhead, 250 Geer Canyon Rd.
Members of the public are encouraged to attend the event, enjoy the new trails, and explore the one-room schoolhouse. Staff will be on hand to talk about the new additions and improvements.
BATCO has been actively involved in developing this new trail system, including organizing several trail work days and donating a substantial sum toward the new equestrian parking lot from revenues on the sales of our Trails and Recreation Map of Boulder County.
The new trails bring the trail miles at Heil Valley Ranch to 19.5 and Heil Valley Ranch now comprises just over 6,230 acres. Because of sensitive wildlife habitat at Heil Valley Ranch, dogs are not permitted. The Grindstone Quarry Trail (east side of the valley) is a pedestrian/equestrian-only trail.
For more information about Heil Valley Ranch and directions, go to www.boco.org/heil
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Calling Outdoor Recreationists on Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks
This is a call to action to those who care about access to public land!
We urge you to attend the OSMP Master Plan Recreation Community Workshop Monday Nov 5, 2018 at the Jewish Community Center, 6007 Oreg Ave in Boulder from 5:30 – 8:00 p.m.
In-person comments and conversation with staff have a significant positive impact on what’s at stake.
Some recreation concerns include:
- Night time access to trailheads, trails and open space
- Dog access on trails and open space
- Off trail access or cross country travel
- Multi-use trail access
- Prioritizing maintaining current OS rather than purchasing expensive properties
- Planning methodologies that are not a fair process
Open Boulder will be providing childcare for outdoor recreation advocates attending the event.*Please RSVP at info@openboulder.org with your name, number of children and their ages. Child ages limited from 3-10 yo and a total number of kids at 12. OB will also provide pizza and a drink for parents and kids.
Please share this information with your members and anyone else you feel would like to know.
Open Boulder is also planning a get-together later in November in order to hear more of how you would like your public lands to be managed. Details will be forthcoming.
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Calling All Trail Volunteers!
The new “East Side Trail” at Heil Valley Ranch is almost finished….
Help BATCO get it done!
What:Please join BATCO and Boulder County Parks & Open Space in a fun morning of completing the NEW PEDESTRIAN / EQUESTRIAN TRAIL at Heil Valley Ranch. This new trail will connect the new lower parking / trailhead at Heil with two other new trails, the upper trailhead, and the existing trail system.The work will be moderately strenuous and will include the use of hand tools such as McLeods, pick mattocks, rakes, and shovels. (However, you can do as much hard work or as little as you like!)
When: Saturday, October 27, 2018
Meeting time: 9:00am Project End time: 12:30 pm
Where: Location will be provided when you sign up
RSVP: Chris Morrison
chris-morrison@comcast.net
303-499-2033
Weather:
Weather in Colorado is unpredictable at any time of year. It is important that you bring warm and waterproof clothing that you can work in, as we will try to complete the work even in slightly inclement weather (cold temps, light rain/snow).
What You Should Bring:
Water bottle and water
Snacks
Sturdy shoes/boots – no sandals please
Pants – recommended
Sunscreen
Work gloves (if you have a special pair) otherwise we will provide them
Layers of clothes
Rain gear
Backpack – for carrying clothing, food, etc.
Binoculars or camera (optional)
We will provide:
Snacks
Work gloves
Extra Water
First aid kit
All necessary tools
Corny jokes
Lunch!
Beer!
Thanks in advance for volunteering with BATCO and Boulder County Parks & Open Space!
BATCO “Harvest Party” and Meeting Monday, Nov. 13, 2017
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Monday 7-9pm
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Greetings, Trail Users!
What:
It’s National Public Lands Day!
This is YOUR INVITATION to participate with BCHA, BATCO and Boulder County Parks & Open Space in a fun morning of building a NEW PEDESTRIAN/EQUESTRIAN TRAIL at Heil Valley Ranch. This new trail will connect the new parking / trailhead at Heil and two other new trails with the existing trail system. Show your appreciation for public lands by joining up with the project!
Date:
Saturday, September 30th from 9:00am-12:00pm.
Overview:
We will be fine-tuning the new pedestrian/equestrian connector at Heil Valley Ranch. The work will be moderately strenuous and will include the use of hand tools such as McLeods, pick mattocks, and your brawn.
We will be about a 15 minute walk away from the parking lot and your vehicles, so it is a good idea to bring a backpack to carry water, snacks, clothes, etc.
Schedule:
Meeting time: 9:00am Project End time: 12:00 pm
Location:
“The Corrals” at Heil Valley Ranch.
2-1952 Geer Canyon Dr, Boulder, CO 80302.
Click for Map
Directions to the “Corrals” at Heil Valley Ranch:
- From Boulder: Travel north on Foothills Highway 36. Turn left on Lefthand Canyon Drive. Turn right on Geer Canyon Drive, and drive 0.3 miles. Meeting location and parking will be on the left just before the road turns from paved to dirt.
- From Longmont: Travel west on Nelson Road, then turn left on Foothills Highway 36. Turn right on Lefthand Canyon Drive. Turn right on Geer Canyon Drive and drive 0.3 miles. Meeting location and parking will be on the left just before the road turns from paved to dirt.
Weather:
Weather in Colorado is unpredictable no matter the time of year. It is important that you bring warm and waterproof clothing that you can work in, as we will try to complete the work in slightly inclement weather (cold temps, light rain/snow). I would suggest checking the forecast before the project at NOAA and search Longmont, CO. I will let you know as soon as possible if we need to cancel/postpone due to more severe weather predictions.
What You Should Bring:
Water bottle and water
Snacks
Sturdy shoes/boots – no sandals please (yes, people have shown up in sandals)
Pants – recommended
Sunscreen
Work gloves (if you have a special pair) otherwise we will provide
Layers of clothes
Rain gear
Backpack – for carrying clothing, food, ect.
Binoculars or camera (optional)
We will provide:
Snacks
Work gloves
Extra Water
First aid kit
All necessary tools
Corny jokes
Your contribution toward this project will be greatly appreciated. We look forward to seeing you. Please feel free to contact Ari if you have any additional questions. Thanks again for volunteering with BATCO, BCHA and Boulder County Parks & Open Space!
Sincerely,
Suzanne Webel, for BATCO / BCHA
Ari Addes, for BCPOS
RSVP:
Ari Addes | Recreation & Facilities Volunteer Coordinator
Boulder County Parks and Open Space
5201 St. Vrain Rd. Longmont CO 80503
Office: 303-678-6344 | Cell: 720-597-0898
aaddes@bouldercounty.org
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