By Randy Winter, BCHA Trail Advisor
I recently met with City of Boulder Open Space staff on a variety of topics. We covered a lot of ground—so to speak. Here is a April update on trails around Boulder County.
Hall Ranch
Thanks to trail maintenance crews, it’s smooth sailing into the horse trailer parking area at the Hall Ranch in Lyons. That huge hole that rocked your trailer has been fixed.
Monarch Trailhead
You no longer have to hassle with those spring loaded gates. The car gates have been unlocked so you can now safely pass through on or off your horse without getting slapped in the butt! There is just a chain over a post, but please be sure to CLOSE the gate!
Lagerman Preserve
Plans are in the works for a 6 to 8 horse trailer lot expansion at the Lagerman Preserve in Longmont. Funding still needs to be acquired as money was diverted due to the Heil Ranch fire last year.
Boulder Valley Ranch
I brought up the issue of addressing the North TSA (Trail Study Area) Plan recommendations to add or update horse trailer parking at three access points to Boulder Valley Ranch. These would include the:
- Degge trail
- Eagle trail
- Left Hand trail
[divider style=”solid” color=”#cccccc” opacity=”1″ icon_color=”#666666″ icon_size=”15″ placement=”equal”]It is important that we hear from you, so BCHA can understand how much this is wanted by our horse riding community. Please send me an e-mail today. (e-mail link)[divider style=”solid” color=”#cccccc” opacity=”1″ icon_color=”#666666″ icon_size=”15″ placement=”equal”]
Left Hand Trail
If you have ridden the Left Hand Trail off Neva Road you may know there are a few gates. These gates have various types of closures (springs, latches, chains), gates fall off hinges, and others issues. BCHA would like to hear from you if you have any suggestions or feedback.
Please send me an e-mail so I can bring these up at my next trail open space meeting.
So… Where Are Horses Actually Allowed On Open Space Trails?
It’s always a discussion as to where you can, can’t, and where the best place(s) to ride on any Open Space property. During this COVID-19 year the use of Open Space trails has increased, this has led to many more social trails being created. While we have the right to ride on undesignated areas, we should be mindful of the damage being done to the property when an area becomes overwhelmed with social trails.
Helpful information:
- Designated trails, that are not signed as off limits to horses, are always the first and good choice.
- If necessary going off the trail to avoid conflict is acceptable.
- Muddy trails should always be ridden in the middle (yes through the mud or puddle please) in order to avoid “braiding” the trails. Consider it a great trail obstacle to work on with your horse!
- Service roads, some of my favorites, are open to equestrians and offer less conflict with other users and a chance to ride and converse.
- It is okay to ride anywhere on City or County Open Space properties that are not designated as off limits for horses or for any environmental closure. And while it is okay to ride in undesignated trail areas, it is not always advisable.
- Off trail use on leased agricultural land is something I am currently trying to understand with City of Boulder Open Space. Always be respectful of leased farmed property by staying on the trail.
As I learn more about any of these issues I’ll keep you informed.
And please, if you have interest in being a BCHA trail committee member BCHA welcomes you in any way you’d like to contribute.
Ride on!
Randy Winter, BCHA Trail Advisor
Contact Randy