Emergency Raptor Closure of Der Freischutz and surrounding formations:
OSMP is enacting a closure to protect cliff nesting raptors at Der Freischutz on Dinosaur Mountain — please see the attached map. The closure includes the BUBBLE and the Dinosaur Eggs formations.
On Wednesday of this week, OSMP staff and volunteers observed that the prairie falcon pair that typically occupies Bear Creek Spire had relocated to the Der Freischutz formation.
The pair’s timing is in the ballpark that if they succeed and fledge young, the formation will open with other closures on or about July 31st.
As a result of the move, OSMP is lifting the closure for Bear Creek Spire.
Those approaching Overhang Rock from Mallory Cave trail will need to approach from Bear Creek Spire going forward or until Bear Canyon trail is reopened.
Description
This is a good quality rock with quiet and pleasant surroundings. It is a short hike from NCAR. It doesn't get too much sun in the winter, since it's obscured by the canyon ridges.
Getting There
From US 36, turn West on to Table Mesa. Drive all the way to the end of this road to the NCAR parking lot. Now take the "NCAR Trail" along the nature walk along the rim of the hill. Look for a trail that cuts left and down the hill to a saddle. Ascend some switchbacks. Follow this trail to the water tower and continue left of the tower down to the Mesa Trail. Here, you will come to a junction with a Boulder Mountain Parks info/map board.
From here, there a couple options:
1) Take the Mesa Trail to the South until you hit Bear Canyon. Follow this trail up the hill to the South, and then go up the canyon on the South side of the creek. This can be scratchy due to vegetation.
2) You can go South on the Mesa Trail to gain the road by the power line further south where the road intersects the trail. Hike the road, and then descend from the road to the base of the formation on a faint trail.
[Hide Comment] Based on the beta above, when I got to Bear Canyon, I followed a trail just south of the stream up a heavily eroded and dangerous steep slope expecting to find a semi-hidden climber trail, big mistake. The goal here is to gain the old road/trail by the power line ( actual Bear Canyon Trail). Had I known that, I would have headed further south where the Bear Canyon trail intersects the Mesa trail. Hike the Bear Canyon trail, and then descend from the Bear Canyon trail to the valley floor at the base of the formation on a faint, steep trail off the side.
Jun 12, 2012
Access Issue: 2024 Crag Closures & Temporary Trail and Raptor Closures
Details
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