Removal of crashed airplane requires trail closures on Thursday, Oct. 22.

On Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026, crews will remove the plane that crashed on Oct. 4, 2026, near South Boulder Peak, weather permitting.

A private contractor working with National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will remove the plane from the crash site. Rocky Mountain Rescue Group, City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks, and the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Services Unit will be assisting with the plane extrication.

To support a safe operation, the following trails and trailheads will be closed starting at 6 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 22, with an anticipated reopening of around 5 p.m.

  • South Boulder Creek West Trailhead
  • South Mesa Trailhead
  • Bear Peak Trail (between Bear Peak and South Boulder Peak)
  • Homestead Trail
  • Lower Big Bluestem Trail/Thomas Lane
  • Shadow Canyon North Trail
  • Shadow Canyon South Trail
  • Shadow Canyon Trail
  • South Boulder Creek West Trail
  • Towhee Trail
  • Upper Big Bluestem Trail

Other trails may be closed depending on circumstances during the removal of the plane. Please plan accordingly and check OSMP Closures | City of Boulder for more details on trail, trailhead and area closures.

Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR) will also be in place during the plane extrication operations. This flight restriction applies to both manned aircraft and unmanned aerial systems (drones).

The associated case number for the Boulder County Sheriff's Office is: 26-04781.

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