Helicopter to help construct and repair the Anemone, Royal Arch and 1st/2nd Flatiron trails on Tuesday, Aug. 17.
The City of Boulder plans to use a helicopter on Tuesday, Aug. 17, to help construct and maintain several popular open space trails.
The helicopter will help move materials that Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) needs to construct the three-mile Anemone Hill Trail in west Boulder and to conduct improvements and trail repairs along the Royal Arch and 1st/2nd Flatiron trails. OSMP encourages visitors, including climbers, to be aware of the helicopter and not access areas where work is occurring.
OSMP anticipates that the helicopter will operate between 6:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 17. If weather conditions are not suitable on Tuesday, helicopter work will occur as soon as weather conditions allow.
The city will close trails in the Anemone Hill and Red Rocks area – between Sunshine Canyon and Boulder Canyon – while the helicopter operates. The Sunshine Canyon Trail will be open. Visitors also will be to access a detour trail around the east side of the Red Rocks Trail.
OSMP also will temporarily close the Bear Peak West Ridge and Green Bear trails during helicopter operations on Tuesday. The Bear Canyon, Royal Arch and 1st/2nd Flatiron trails remain closed for ongoing construction and trail maintenance.
Rangers will issue citations to people who access closed trails. The helicopter cannot complete its work if open space visitors are in the construction area – which may result in safety hazards and costly trail construction delays. OSMP encourages community members to visit OSMPTrails.org to view current trail closures across Boulder’s open space system.