By James Woodruff, Camera Staff Writer

“THE BONE-BEARING LAYER OF THE JURASSIC AGE IS THE MORRISON FORMATION. THAT FORMATION IS VERY IMPORTANT TO PALEONTOLOGISTS ALL OVER THE WORLD.”Karen HesterDirector, Dinosaur Ridge Visitor Center

Take a hike along an exposed piece of geologic history, the Dinosaur and Dakota Ridge trails east of Morrison.

Located at the junction of Colo. 26 and Interstate 70, the trail is about 26 miles from Boulder and can be reached by taking Colo. 93 south past the U.S. 6 junction. Take U.S. 6 east for about three miles to U.S. 40 and head south on 40 to the junction of Colo. 26 and I-70. Parking can be found to the left.

The northern extremity of Dinosaur Ridge lies brilliantly exposed by the I-70 roadcut. A walk along its base will reveal the multicolored anatomy of about five geologic formations covering roughly 70 million years.

“As you pass along the cut from the west, you pass a formation below the Dakota called the Morrison Formation,” said William Braddock, University of Colorado professor of geology. “Emerging out of the roadcut on the eastern side, the Dakota sandstones give way to younger shale deposits of the Benton, Niobrara and Pierre formations.

“The Dakota is mostly sandstone, and it`s harder than the mostly shale layers above and below it,” Braddock said. “So the Dakota hogback forms a bump on the top of the ridge.”

The area is the site of the first discoveries of the herbivorous dinosaurs Stegosaurus armatus and Apatosaurus ajax.

“The bone-bearing layer of the Jurassic Age is the Morrison Formation,” Karen Hester, geologist and director of the Dinosaur Ridge Visitor Center, said. “That formation is very important to paleontologists all over the world.”

The rock unit, spanning thousands of square miles, was named for the town of Morrison, where it is most conspicuously exposed.

Visitors to Dinosaur Ridge can begin their hike on the eastern side of the ridge. Interpretive signs lead to a dinosaur footprint site and describe the geologic history of the Denver Basin. Dakota Ridge Trail ambles along the Ponderosa-topped ridge to the north for about two miles.

“During the time the Morrison and Dakota deposits were being formed,” Braddock said, “this region must have been really boring __ flat with some streams wandering around. There were no mountains here at all.”

Today, the region is anything but flat. For bicyclists, hikers and geology enthusiasts alike, it is far from boring. Visitors will be treated to 360-degree vistas, a deeper insight into earth history and a superlative workout.

For information on guided tours, call Friends of Dinosaur Ridge at (303) 697-3466.

Filed under: Hike of the Week, Hiking Boulder, Hiking Colorado, Hiking Oudoor, Hiking Trips, Trail Hiking on September 4th, 2007 | No Comments »

Mountain hiking demands great gear and more education than your typical trail hike. Why? Because as you ascend breathing becomes less efficient, passage grows rugged, and rescue becomes more challenging. So consider your mountain equipment to be your life support system.

read more | digg story

Filed under: Hiking Colorado, Hiking Gear on July 19th, 2007 | No Comments »

Glacier Rim offers remote hike, pristine views

Take a trip away from crowds

By Bette Erickson For the Camera
Wednesday, July 11, 2007

If you love remote places and open spaces like me, you’ll enjoy the long and scenic hike to the Arapaho Glacier Rim in the nearby Indian Peaks Wilderness Area. And because of the length of the Glacier Rim Trail (six miles one-way), you’re able to escape from the usual crowding at other trails this time of year.

To get to the trailhead, west of the Rainbow Lakes Campground, you’ll drive about six miles along a bumpy, dusty road framed by Aspen trees before ending in a small parking lot cul-de-sac.

The trail begins at about 10,000 feet above sea level and rises to just under 13,000 feet. Part of the joy of this route is beginning your hike along a path shaded by a forest fragrant with the scent of pine. You’ll climb steadily for the first mile, skirting the Boulder watershed fenced area. After that first mile, the trail tapers off for the next mile and begins a gradual incline again.

There are no forks in the trail and in the few places that snow may still be covering the route, simply tramp across the snow. Follow the narrow footpath west. As you make your way past the treeline, expect it to level out again along the high tundra. The day I hiked here there wasn’t a cloud in the sky - but it was windy. Above treeline you can see the Rainbow Lakes, the city of Boulder reservoirs and the backside of the Front Range mountains, including Eldora Ski Area.

Four miles into the hike you’ll see Caribou Peak to the south. Continue on the trail to Arapaho Saddle overlooking Arapaho Glacier — the southern most glacier in North America. Looking down from high atop the Glacier Rim Trail, the icy turquoise waters of Arapaho Glacier shows from beneath the snow pack.

This serene area, particularly the last two miles or so, provides access to uninterrupted views of Arapaho Pass and the North Fork Middle Boulder Creek drainage. Far down in the distance you can see the valley that houses Buckingham Campground, including the road that leads in to it.

Bring binoculars and a camera for this hike — the scenery and numerous lakes make this one of the more interesting and remote trails around. At the glacier overlook, if time and weather permit, pick a spot to sit, abandon your worries and take in the surrounding beauty. Return the way you came.

If you go

To the trailhead: Take Highway 72 north from Nederland about 6.5 miles and turn west on Forest Road 298 indicating the CU Research Station. Drive about six miles on the bumpy dirt road to where it ends in a cul-de-sac parking area just west of the Rainbow Lakes Campground. Look for the Glacier Rim kiosk. There’s an outhouse near the campground before you get to the small parking areas.

Distance: 12-miles roundtrip
Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous
Elevation gain: 2,750 feet
Dogs: Yes, on leash at all times

Bette Erickson is the author of Best Boulder Region Hiking Trails (Westcliffe Publishers, $19.95). Contact her at bette_erickson@hotmail.com.

Related Links:

http://www.resourceanalysis.com/trails/trail131/tr131.html

Read more »

Filed under: Hiking Boulder, Hiking Colorado, Hiking Oudoor, Hiking Trips, Trail Hiking on July 19th, 2007 | No Comments »

Royal Arch

Originally uploaded by sogrady

Royal Arch, Boulder, CO

Filed under: Colorado Photos, Hiking Boulder, Hiking Colorado, Royal Arch on July 19th, 2007 | No Comments »

Longs Peak

Originally uploaded by Molas

Beautiful Picture

Longs Peak viewed from the top of Flattop Mountain in Rocky Mountain National Park. The prominent line of snow to the right of the summit is the Trough Couloir, part of the Keyhole Route that many thousands of hikers climb every summer. At the time of year this photo was taken (early July 2004), the peak was still unclimbable without technical snow-climbing equipment (crampons, ice axe, etc.)

Filed under: Colorado Photos, Hiking Colorado, Longs Peak on July 19th, 2007 | No Comments »

Longs Peak USGS Benchmark

Originally uploaded by kerch

14, 255 feet above sea level, Longs Peak, Rocky Mountain National Park.

It’s a shame the mountain’s name is not (no longer?) visible.

Filed under: Colorado Photos, Hiking Colorado, Longs Peak on July 19th, 2007 | No Comments »

Ryan Van Duzer aka “Out There Guy” another great video. Hiking up to the Royal Arch in Boulder, CO.

Filed under: Hiking Boulder, Hiking Colorado, Hiking Trips, Trail Hiking on July 19th, 2007 | No Comments »

By Zak Brown, Get Out Editor

When it’s this hot, the stretch of Boulder Creek running through Eben G. Fine Park is packed with tubers cooling off.

But if you really want to cool off, go further up the creek - way, way up the creek.

Boulder Creek is roaring in the high country, and creating some beautiful - and chilly - waterfalls above the Hessie Townsite. It’s just a short drive through Nederland and the town of Eldora before reaching the townsite, and once you reach the trail, it’s a short hike along the creek up to Lost Lake.

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There are several places along the trail to take a dip, and one is even technically in driving distance. The spot is at the bridge crossing the creek at the official trailhead, although you can start hiking before then. Most cars park on the road leading to the junction of Hessie Road and Fourth of July Road because Hessie Road is a 4×4 road after the junction.

A trail, mostly made of planks above the marsh, leads from the junction and empties at another parking spot. That spot comes after a water-logged section of the road, and before another water-logged section of the road.

The final parking spot is on the banks of the creek, where the water is wide and shallow. If you’re looking for a little more dramatic water, keep heading up the trail.

And, please, use judgement if you decide to take this trail. If the water is too fast, or too cold for you, don’t get in. We aren’t saying anyone should cool off up there. We’re just saying you could. Thanks, back to the story.

The toughest climb of the two-mile hike awaits after the first crossing, but you or your group only has to make it up that stretch to reach the rest of the relatively easy hike. Plus, the reward of the climb is the best waterfall of the hike.

The roar of the waterfall can actually be heard as you crest the climb, and it’s well worth a quick stop off the trail. There are several points to view the lengthy falls, which have turned the rock there into smoothly carved stone art. It’s probably best not to test these waters because it’s a steep drop with several sharp levels. But whatever floats your boat (get it? Floats? Thanks folks, I’ll be here all week. Tip you server. Try the veal).

The Lost Lake Trail soon veers to the left at a junction, which also serves as a fantastic spot to take a dip. A bridge crosses the creek here, and some fast-moving, but flat, water is a prime spot for a dunk of the head. And another smaller, but equally turbulent waterfall, is a few yards up the creek. Just looking at the frothy water blast into the air is refreshing. Again, it would probably be better to test smoother waters, but remember what I said about the boat.

You can keep going and head up to Lost Lake via a trail that spurs off the main one. You can also keep going just a ways past the Lost Lake spur to another bridge, which crosses very tranquil water at the mouth of a meadow.

The lake is a beautiful setting that looks toward the Indian Peaks, and also offers nine camping spots (check on availability with the U.S. Forest Service). The lake water wasn’t terribly cold last weekend, although it was cold enough to keep everyone but dogs out of it.

Enjoy, and be cool.

If you go

TO THE TRAILHEAD - Take Highway 119 west through Nederland, then turn right on Highway 130. Then turn right on Eldora Road. Drive through the town of Eldora until the road turns to dirt. There are several parking areas, including along the road, at the junction of Fourth of July Road and at the Hessie Trailhead. The road after the Fourth of July junction is 4×4.
DISTANCE - 4 miles round trip.
DIFFICULTY - Easy to Moderate.
ELEVATION GAIN - 1,000 feet.
DOGS, HORSES - Yes.
DETAILS - Visit www.fs.fed.us/r2/arnf.

Filed under: Hiking Boulder, Hiking Colorado, Hiking Oudoor, Hiking Trips, Trail Hiking on July 5th, 2007 | No Comments »

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It begins with an easy one-mile walk to Ouzel Falls, a popular 40-foot cascading stream. After passing through a recovering, lightning-charred forest, the trail eventually turns into a challenging uphill hike that ends at Bluebird Lake. Although the last few miles of the hike are considered strenuous, the view at the top is worth taking in while you rest and catch your breath.

TO THE TRAILHEAD - Take U.S. 36 north to Lyons, turn left on Highway 7 for 20 miles, then turn left at Wild Basin area just past Allenspark.

DISTANCE - 5.6 miles round trip.
DIFFICULTY - Moderate to difficult.
ELEVATION GAIN - 950 feet.
DOGS, HORSES - No.
DETAILS - Visit www.rocky.mountain.national-park.com/hike.
COST - $20 per vehicle for a seven-day pass.

Filed under: Hike of the Week, Hiking Colorado, Hiking Oudoor, Hiking Trips, Trail Hiking, Wild Basin Trail on June 14th, 2007 | No Comments »

Hike of the week - Coulson Gulch
Originally uploaded by dailycamera

TO THE TRAILHEAD -From Boulder, take U.S. 36 to Lyons and turn right toward Estes Park. Drive 9.6 miles to the Big Elk Meadows turnoff on your left. Follow for about three miles to a Y-junction. Take the left fork up a bumpy, gravel road a half-mile to the Coulson Gulch Trailhead parking lot.

DISTANCE - 5.6 miles round-trip.

DIFFICULTY - Easy.

ELEVATION GAIN - 900 feet.

DOGS, HORSES - Yes, dogs on leash.

DESCRIPTION - This trail is in one of the more secluded areas in Boulder County, partly because it is on the far western edge of the county. It begins as a packed-dirt and sandy footpath that drops steadily south along Coulson Gulch, eventually spilling into Higgins Park. Just before you reach Higgins Park, to the right of the trail, keep a lookout for ruins of a log cabin. Look for a rusted bed frame leaning against the weathered structure, and possibly an old stove. From Higgins Park, the trail joins the old Button Rock Jeep road, and South Sheep Mountain stands alone immediately to the left of the trail. Turn right at the trail junction, and after about 20 minutes or so, expect to cross a large wooden footbridge over North St. Vrain Creek.

DETAILS - Call the Boulder Ranger District, 303-541-2500.

Filed under: Hike of the Week, Hiking Boulder, Hiking Colorado, Hiking Oudoor, Hiking Trips, Trail Hiking on May 25th, 2007 | No Comments »