Colorado and Boulder County

Colorado and Boulder County boast some of the most beautiful scenery and trails in the United States. BCHA spends time and money making sure Open Space, Parks, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and National Forest trails will be available to horse owners now and in the future.

National Trails Day and other Trail Maintenance Projects

A listing of available trail building and maintenance projects with Boulder County Parks and Open Space can be found on the volunteer page.  National Trails Day will be Saturday,
June 7, 2008.  Details on the Volunteer page.

Open Space and Mountain Parks Off-Trail Permit Program

The city of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) Department will require off-trail permits beginning Monday, March 12, for people who walk off-trail through Habitat Conservation Areas (HCAs) in the Western Mountain Parks, the Southern Grasslands and the Lower Boulder Creek. Maps of these HCAs and applications for permits can be found at www.osmppermits.org . Visitors who remain on designated trails in HCAs do not need a permit. Designated trails have been marked with signs that include a trail name.

HCAs are designated because of their exceptional resource value. They provide homes to some of Boulder's rarest and most sensitive plants and animals. The Off-Trail Permit Program was developed as part of the OSMP Visitor Master Plan and is designed to help minimize impacts to natural and cultural resources. OSMP plans to designate more HCAs in the system as more planning processes are completed.

For information on the Off-Trail Permit Program and OSMP, visit www.osmp.org or call (303) 441-3440.

Lisa Nieman
City of Boulder
Open Space and Mountain Parks
720-564-2007

Comprehensive Trail Map of Boulder County

The Boulder Area Trails Coalition
(BATCO) is pleased to announce the
launch of their new Comprehensive Trail
Map of Boulder County! The map contains several unique features which distinguish it from others on the market. Available in stores throughout the area
-- ordering information on this link.

Trail Advocacy

BCHA works continually to maintain the equestrian voice in the many trail legislative discussions that are being held throughout the county. We could use your help! Checkout some of the opportunities for you to show your support for keeping trails open to equestrians!

Sharing Trails Safely With Horses

Many of the trails in Boulder County, and elsewhere, must be shared amongst many different user groups, including hikers, dog walkers, mountain bikers, and motorized vehicles. When such diverse groups inter-mix, a positive trail experience requires cooperation, understanding and courtesy by all users. BCHA produced a brochure to help educate trail users of some of the unique considerations that must be taken around horses. Read the text of BCHA's brochure, Sharing Trails Safely With Horses, to become familiar with the rules and courtesies expected of all trail users. This brochure is available in a full color slick paper format. If you would like one or a few mailed to you,
just let us know at info@boulderhorse.org.

Download a pdf file of the Full Color Sharing Trails Brochure.

Boulder City Open Space & Mountain Parks:
Revised Draft Visitor Plan

Please go to www.visitorplan.com for information on the final draft of this Visitor Plan; the BATCO (Boulder Area Trails Coalition) website, http://bcn.boulder.co.us/batco for BATCO's take on the matter; the Boulder Outdoor Coalitions's website, www.boulder-outdoor-coalition.org; and elsewhere on the BCHA website for our input.

As always, please feel free to contact Suzanne for more information about trails and public issues.
Suzanne Webel 303-485-2162

Caribou Ranch

Reopens Sunday, July 1st, following spring closure.

The current trail system, 4.5 miles roundtrip, is open to hikers and equestrians only at varying months of the year. Mountain biking is not permitted due to restrictions specified in the purchase agreement. Also, dogs are not permitted on the open space for wildlife habitat and water quality protection. Please be aware that all park visitors are required to stay on-trail -- no off trail use is permitted. This regulation is in place until hazards are mitigated (e.g. mining test pits, buildings); cultural resources are inventoried, secured and/or restored; and Phase 2 trail construction is completed.

The 2,180-acre property offers visitors a rich tapestry of wetlands, meadows, streams, forests and woodlands. Caribou Ranch is a haven for wildlife where 50 species of mammals could potentially live and/or travel through the open space annually. This represents nearly half of all mammal species found in Boulder County. The most common ungulates are elk and mule deer. A moose group has been observed on portions of the property in the past two years. Also, signs of mountain lion, black bear, bobcat, coyote, red fox, marten, and short-tailed weasel have been found.

This open space also includes the Blue Bird Mine complex. Mining began in the 1870s and operations followed the boom and bust cycles of the industry until the 1960s. In the early 1900s, Blue Bird became a tourist destination on the newly completed Eldora Line of the Switzerland Trail of America. The site was a "whistle stop" during the summer months to a growing demand by city dwellers who wanted to experience the beauty of the mountains. You won't be able to explore the Blue Bird Mine complex beyond the fence at this time because of safety considerations. As July progresses, many of the plains and foothill wildflowers will disappear, but plant life at Caribou Ranch Open Space will just begin to bloom. If you would like to escape the sizzling summer days on the plains, come discover the diverse vegetation at Caribou Ranch Open Space. Caribou Ranch Open Space is located on County Road 126, approximately two miles north of Nederland. For additional information about the property, visit the department's web page at www.co.boulder.co.us/openspace.

Directions: From the Nederland traffic circle, go north 1.9 miles on the Peak to Peak Highway to County Road 126 (just past mile marker 34). Go west on CR126 about 1.2 miles. Parking and trailhead are on the north side of the road.

BCHA ADOPTS THE SWITZERLAND TRAIL AT

CARIBOU RANCH!!!

The saga of Caribou Ranch began almost exactly ten years ago – late fall of 1996, to be exact. At that time we became aware that this extraordinary property was being acquired by Boulder County Parks & Open Space and the City of Boulder. A lot of water has gone under this bridge since then (you can read the fascinating documentation of this arduous process in Vol III of Happy Trails) – but suffice it to say that BCHA offered way back then to adopt the Switzerland Trail as a means of showing our appreciation for equestrian access to this special place.

“Our” trail is officially called the Delonde Trail, named after one of the families that homesteaded the area in the 1800's and whose classic wood house still stands today in a meadow at Caribou, in mute tribute to their hard work making a living from this high mountain valley. Our commitment the last two years, during which time we need to put in a minimum of four trail days. We agree to remove trash along the trail, monitor weeds and erosion, note missing or vandalized signs, benches, and picnic tables, and look out for other hazards and problems. In addition, BCHA has earmarked funds for future trail construction at Caribou Ranch, and has a firm relationship with the Roundup Riders of the Rockies' Heritage and Trails Foundation which has agreed to provide additional funding should Boulder County request it.

We need volunteers to be our official “trail adopters”! This is a fun and satisfying way to show Boulder County that we are willing to be good stewards of the public lands we all enjoy. Please call Suzanne to sign up now!

Suzanne Webel
BCHA External VP, Trails and Public Lands Chair
303-485-2162

CARIBOU RANCH Annual Spring Closure

April 1st through June 30

The annual closure at Caribou Ranch Open Space is in place to protect spring migratory birds, over winter elk survival, and elk calving and rearing activities at Caribou Ranch Open Space. The closure is for the entire property; no visitors are permitted.

Approximately 50 species of mammals could potentially live and/or travel through the open space annually. This represents about 50 percent of all mammal species found in Boulder County. Please respect wildlife needs for solitude.

Resident caretaker, park rangers, and county sheriff deputies who patrol the open space property can fine violators up to $300.

Please help our department get the word out to residents by passing this message along to family and friends.

Colorado State Parks' Equestrian Trails

Equestrians throughout the state have many diverse choices for trail riding in Colorado State Parks and several parks have public corrals for those camping with horses. Scroll down for a listing of State parks with horse-friendly trails or select this link: State Parks

Trail Rider's Checklist -- Day Ride

Suggested activities for making your day trip a success have been compiled by Steve Deitemeyer, CF, Wildland Resources and BCHA. Checklist topics include Pre-trip Planning, Preparing Stock, Saddles and Tack, Saddle Equipment and Accessories, and Personal Gear. Detailed checklist can be found here.

Happy Trails

Happy Trails is a compilation of trail logs in and around the Boulder County area. This publication includes about 140 pages of trail descriptions with maps and comes in an attractive binder. It also includes information on map reading, trail etiquette, safety, trailering and public land management.

Trail Maintenance

BCHA ADOPTS THE SWITZERLAND TRAIL AT CARIBOU RANCH!!!

The saga of Caribou Ranch began almost exactly nine years ago – late fall of 1996, to be exact. At that time we became aware that this extraordinary property was being acquired by Boulder County Parks & Open Space and the City of Boulder. A lot of water has gone under this bridge since then (you can read the fascinating documentation of this arduous process in Vol III of Happy Trails) – but suffice it to say that BCHA offered way back then to adopt the Switzerland Trail as a means of showing our appreciation for equestrian access to this special place.

The summer of 2005, Boulder County and BCHA formalized our agreement, and you can now see the nice plaque they have erected at the trailhead to prove it!

“Our” trail is officially called the Delonde Trail, named after one of the families that homesteaded the area in the 1800's and whose classic wood house still stands today in a meadow at Caribou, in mute tribute to their hard work making a living from this high mountain valley. Our commitment the last two years, during which time we need to put in a minimum of four trail days. We agree to remove trash along the trail, monitor weeds and erosion, note missing or vandalized signs, benches, and picnic tables, and look out for other hazards and problems. In addition, BCHA has earmarked funds for future trail construction at Caribou Ranch, and has a firm relationship with the Roundup Riders of the Rockies' Heritage and Trails Foundation which has agreed to provide additional funding should Boulder County request it.

We need volunteers to be our official “trail adopters”! This is a fun and satisfying way to show Boulder County that we are willing to be good stewards of the public lands we all enjoy. Please call Suzanne to sign up now!

Suzanne Webel
BCHA External VP, Trails and Public Lands Chair
303-485-2162

US Forest Service "Centennial Project"

Trail maintenance, old trail obliteration, restoration work, installing road signs, campsite signs and trail signs, building or finishing a National Forest Information Site Kiosk and more.

Boulder County Horse Association will be buddying up with Boulder Offroad Alliance (Mtn. Bikers) BOA, IMBA, Sierra Club and the Forest Service to do the above mentioned work. BCHA will specifically team up with BOA and enjoy a day of working on some of the trails they enjoy riding. This will also be an opportunity for these volunteer groups to celebrate the 100 year history of the
Forest Service and the volunteers who help make things happen,
by doing just that.

For more information contact Michelle Myers at the Forest Service, michellemyers@fs.fed.us , or Mike Barrow (BOA) at mtbmike@us.ibm.com

Doudy Draw Trail, City of Boulder Open Space

BCHA members built the Doudy Draw Trail for the City of Boulder Open Space & Mountain Parks Department in the mid 1980's and have maintained it ever since.

BCHA hosts breakfast for Doudy Draw Trail workday, October 2007! 

Weekly Trail Rides

BCHA hosts weekly trail rides every Wednesday to share our favorite trails with others – please join us! Contact Suzanne 303-485-2162.

Colorado State Parks' Equestrian Trails

Equestrians throughout the state have many diverse choices for trail riding in Colorado State Parks and several parks have public corrals for those camping with horses. State parks with horse-friendly trails include:

Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area (AHRA): This park offers eight miles of trails along the Arkansas River south of Salida. One equestrian trailhead connects riders to Bureau of Land Management (BLM) trails, and the United States Forest Service (USFS) property at Ruby Mountain.

Barr Lake State Park: This park offers 12 miles of horse trails, including the nine-mile Perimeter Trail circling Barr Lake. Horses are not allowed on boardwalk structures or on the top of the dam.

Bonny Lake State Park: Most of the lakeshore trails at Bonny are open to horses. There are 10 campsites in the Foster Grove Campground for equestrians, but horses must be tethered outside the campground.

Chatfield State Park: This park features Chatfield Stables offering horseback trail rides, hayrack rides, youth day camps and riding lessons. Horse trailer parking, corrals, unloading ramps and a trailhead are located on the park's west side. Equestrian trails are also available throughout the park for those bringing their own horses.

Cherry Creek State Park: Horse rental and boarding are available at the Paint Horse Stables within the park. Miles of trails at Cherry Creek offer equestrians a real treat.

Eldorado Canyon State Park: Horses are welcome on the park road, up to but not including, the road to the picnic areas. They are also welcome on the Eldorado Canyon Trail which connects to Boulder County Open Space.

Golden Gate Canyon State Park: Ride horses here on all trails designated for multiple use. Nott Creek and Kriley Overlook have parking for horse trailers.

Highline Lake State Park: This park offers over five miles of trails for equestrian use, plus access to BLM property.

Lake Pueblo State Park: The best place to ride is the Arkansas Point Trail. Park in the lot at Arkansas Point Campground and ride up into the bluffs for a stunning, scenic view. Horses are welcome for day trips, but not permitted in the campgrounds for overnight stays.

Lory State Park: Trails open to horses at Lory State Park include the East, West, and South Valley Trails, the Shoreline Trail, and the Mill Creek Link. The South Valley Trail and Mill Creek Link connect to Larimer County's trail system in Horsetooth Mountain Park.

Mancos State Park: Mancos offers five miles of trails for equestrian use. Horses may be trailered overnight for those camping, but the trail parking is limited.

Mueller State Park: There are 23 miles of beautiful trails at this park that welcome horses. See a map of the designated trails on the parks' website.

North Sterling State Park: There are three and a half miles of trails within the park for horseback riding. Stagecoach State Park: Enthusiasts can ride the five-mile, Elk Run Trail.

State Forest State Park: There are 130 miles of trails and roads for equestrians. Camp at Bockman Campground, where a public corral next to the campground is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Trinidad Lake State Park: The south side trails, including Long's Canyon, are great places to ride.

Vega State Park: Equestrians may ride on roads within the parks, but there are no equestrian trails. Corrals for horses, and access to over 300 miles of trails in the Grand Mesa National Forest, are located near the cabins in the park.

These are just a handful of trail experiences available for equestrian enthusiasts in Colorado State Parks that showcase the incredible beauty and diversity of Colorado's landscapes.

There are also volunteer opportunities for equestrians to embrace stewardship of Colorado's public land. Contact Nori Pearce, Colorado State Parks volunteer resource provider at 970-309-3402 or click on the Volunteer link at www.parks.state.co.us. For more information on opportunities for equestrians in Colorado State Parks, visit the Web at www.parks.state.co.us and search for "horseback riding."

Attracting more than 11 million visitors per year, Colorado's 41 State Parks are a vital cornerstone in Colorado's economy and quality of life, offering some of the best outdoor recreation destinations in the state. Colorado State Parks manages more than 4,000 campsites, 57 cabins and yurts, encompassing 246,000 land and water acres. For more information on Colorado State Parks or to purchase an annual pass online, visit www.parks.state.co.us.

Boulder Area Trails Coalition (BATCO) Map

The new BATCO map is the ONLY full-color map that shows all of Boulder's trails and pubic land ownership together. It was compiled over ten years by gathering information from over 100 different maps, discussions with public land managers, and on-the-ground experience.

The new BATCO map is the ONLY map that shows which trails are open to various user groups (pedestrian, equestrian, bike, OHV), as well as the type of trail surface (paved greenways, soft-surface, 4WD road). It also shows other recreational amenities (bike lanes, trailheads, ranger stations, urban parks, recreation centers, golf courses, fishing holes, campgrounds). It enables people to visualize and select their trail experience before setting out.

The new BATCO map is the ONLY map that contains "user-friendly" information on both sides about trail etiquette, public land stewardship, citizen stakeholder groups, agency contact information, and fun facts about Boulder County. It contains a montage of dazzling photographs and sketches of recreationists and nature, generating enthusiasm for sustainable outdoor recreation.

The new BATCO map is the ONLY map whose net sale proceeds will go directly toward new trail construction and trail maintenance in Boulder County!

The BATCO Map measures 30" x 40" and is printed on waterproof, tear-resistant paper. Folded dimensions measure 7.5" x 4". Retail cost is $9.95. It is also available unfolded and rolled if requested. It's available in bike, equestion, outdoor sports, and hardware stores throughout the county. A list of retail suppliers is on the BATCO website under ordering information.

Ordering information: http://bcn.boulder.co.us/batco or contact Suzanne Webel, BATCO Vice President and Map Coordinator, at 303-485-2162 or suzanne@webel.us

An Invitation to Equestrians

from Boulder County Parks & Open Space

You can make a difference as a Boulder County Parks & Open Space Park Host while riding some of the most beautiful open spaces in the west.  Give back to the trails you love while patrolling, being a uniformed presense, and answering visitor's questions. 

Training May 3rd & May 10th, 2008

Lunch Provided

More information &/or to register:

contact Michael Bauer at mbauer@bouldercounty.org

or 303-678-6219

Trail Rider's Checklist -- Day Ride

Pre-trip Planning

* Acquire trail map(s), and talk to other riders that know the area
* Select trail appropriate for the expectations of your group
* Select trail difficulty and length that is safest for the least experienced horse and rider
* Select trails that avoid high mountain areas during afternoon lightening storm seasons
* Contact trail owner or manager for current trail conditions and any restrictions
* If you are hiring/leasing horses or guides, check references and reputations
* Precondition both yourself and your stock for the challenges of the trip
* For SAFETY SAKE, check condition of your vehicle, hitch, lights, brakes, and trailer
* Let a responsible person know your trip plans, i.e. places and dates

Preparing Stock

* Select an animal that has good withers, legs, feet and attitude for the trail environment
* Schedule instruction from an experienced trail-riding instructor, if necessary
* Condition your stock for water crossings, trail hazards, trip length and altitude
* Be able to catch your horse quickly or have it corralled the night before your trip
* Practice trailer loading and unloading before the trip to the trailhead
* Check with your veterinarian and ferrier for animal health and shoeing needs
* Make sure you carry all certificates of health, Coggins testing and brand inspections
* Identify stock pecking orders and personality traits that others should know about
* Precondition stock to ropes, dogs, llamas, mountain bikes, motors, wildlife, and etc.
* Train stock (and yourself) to mount from either side when in steep country
* Train stock to handle fly wipes and spray bottles
* Train stock to eat from a nosebag

Saddles and Tack

* Use a saddle that fits both you and the horse. Label tack with horse/and or rider's ID
* Saddle should be clean, well oiled, and free of protruding nails and wear.
* Adjust stirrup length to allow three fingers under seat when standing in saddle
* Select a sturdy bridle with brow band and cheek strap to avoid being pulled off
* Select bit appropriate for the horse's level of training and comfort
* Use split reins to avoid both horse and rider hanging-up branches, arms and legs
* A double-rigged saddle should be cinched in the 3/4 position to avoid chaffing
* Assure the rear cinch is attached to the front cinch and touching horses stomach
* Saddle should be rigged with breast collar attached to "D" rings for mountain riding
* Consider adding a crupper or britchin for a horse with poor withers or round body
* Pads should be of a style and thickness to fit the saddle and protect the horses back
* Use a flat nylon strap halter and at least a 10 ft. lead rope

Saddle Equipment and Accessories

* Saddlebags should be as small as possible, balanced and not overfilled
* Saddle strings, 3 ft. long, should be available to secure a coat and/or rain gear
* Equine first aid kit
* Horseshoe and nails or replacement boot
* Hoof pick, brushes, curry comb and leather punch
* Repair kit with extra leather thongs, Chicago screws, etc.
* Water, bucket, sponge, sweat scraper

Personal Gear

* Safety helmet with safety strap
* Riding boots with smooth soles
* Day jacket or vest
* Leather riding gloves and gloves for the weather
* Rain slicker, rain cover for helmet
* Chaps or chinks (optional)
* Long sleeve shirt
* Handkerchief or scarf (silk)
* Sturdy trousers or riding pants
* Multipurpose knife
* Flashlight
* Dark glasses
* Sun lotion
* Lip balm
* First aid kit
* Insect repellent
* Canteen or water bottle
* Toilet paper
* Plastic bags (leave no trace)