Grindstone Trail— Heil Valley Ranch

Rangers opened 6 spaces at Caribou & roadside parking at Mud Lake. There’s more snow up there than any combination of trucks that we have can move. Betasso has limited parking for high clearance. Find a safe and legal spot to park even if you have to hike more to get to the TH

I did not have time to check muddy trails in Lyons this afternoon, but snow on Overland/Grindstone still looked good. All trials are still open tomorrow. Enjoy it early if you can.

Trails was at Hall all day yesterday. The report was that Bitterbrush needed another day.

From trails: “Sad news- upper Bitterbrush is still too muddy to open.” Eagle wind and Little Thompson also failed the check.

Mud persists at Picture Rock. Deep slippery mud. I expect the springs are running above the silo too but those photos will have to wait until another day. Still closed.

Bitterbrush benefited from this extra day of drying. It’s OPEN. There is still some mud as you move up in elevation and patches in the rock garden. Nelson is closed and is a snow field. Nighthawk is open for the lowest 1/4 mile only.

Hall Ranch - Bitterbrush side is still a construction zone. Park on the roadside and take the trail detour up to the park. It’s the only BCPOS trail in the area open.

Hall Ranch remains closed. The Rock Garden is still running water and upper trails holding mud. Thanks Mike Rutter for the photos. Boulder MTB Alliance

Lyons area trail are still wet and running. This is Little Thompson Overlook. I only made it 1/4 mile before deep mud with water coming off the hillside. I am heading to check Heil, Geer Canyon side now. Rabbit Mountain still CLOSED. 🫤

I just swung open the gates at Heil Valley Ranch. Overland and Lichen Loop are ready for enjoyment due to sun exposure and great armoring where they need it.

Schoolhouse Loop and Wapiti Trail aren’t draining well and have large spots of standing water or mud holes. I will continue checks tomorrow at about this same time.

Heil Valley Ranch-Grindstone Quarry Trial remains closed due to high water at the stream crossing. It will open as soon as it recedes.

The lower TH at Hall is reopen. Fill it up and overflow on the road. Construction on upper lot continues until June.

Hall Ranch-Nelson Loop is OPEN

Rabbit Mountain—OPEN. Little Thompson is still draining in one spot but passed. Eagle Wind has about 4 deep holes with mud and water but they will linger. Hikers, you will need to pick your way through. Side note— trail work happening all along EW.

Grindstone Quarry Trail is open with a water crossing required as the price of admission.

Schoolhouse loop has with known problem. Ride the chicken line and it will be fully dry tomorrow. The springs are all flowing and making opening difficult. Wait until you see Wapiti.

Wapiti-CLOSED. It needs significant repair. The trail cut drains a large area of the topography above. Snow & moisture soak into the upper hillsides and dump water into poor soils. The mullen and rocks keep bikes on the trail but deep HOLES form. April is a problem 🫤

Picture Rock will not open tomorrow. The springs between the silo and the 4 mile mark are draining into the trail keeping deep soupy mud on a dozen sections. Photos don’t really do it justice. Staff will check it tomorrow afternoon.