Trail Work Days

A cool front had just come through the night before my day to get out on the trail and give back to the community. I love to mountain bike, and as a member of Team BOB (Babes on Bikes), we are required, which I do willingly, to complete one day of trail work in one of the parks in the area. I chose a Saturday in July to help at Horsetooth Park.

It happened to be a beautiful day. The sky was clear and the air was cool. I wore long pants and long sleeves for protection from the sun and the brush and possible wildlife. We gathered at the base of the mountain and headed up to the top in four-wheel drive pick-ups. The majority of the group was women, probably from Team BOB. I met the two women in the cab with me, and they were Team BOB members. They were also getting their trail work time in for the season.

Upon making it to the top of the mountain, we each grabbed a tool, broke up into groups with a leader, and headed out on the trail. We would commit to working one part of the trail before moving on to the next. We flattened out burms, dug out water spills, and built up water bars… I didn’t work nearly as hard as I thought I would. So, on occasion, I would look up from my work and gaze out over the eastern side of the mountain. The park, the city, and the eastern side of Colorado all seemed to be visible from the top. Work? What work? Coming out here to do a little trail maintenance didn’t seem like work at all! I got to wield a heavy tool, hike on an amazing trail, have spectacular views as I worked, and get to know some people that I didn’t know before.

A little bit of time and effort in exchange for using these amazing trails, I’d say that’s pretty reasonable! Next time there’s a trail work day, grab your gloves, sunscreen, and a hat and get after it! It’s a great way to get active and get outdoors and give back!

Northern Colorado Outdoors will have trail work days beginning in 2009. So, look for them on the calendar at http://www.northerncoloradooutdoors.com/ so that you can help us do our part to protect our beautiful backyard!

Cooling Off...

Northern Colorado really is heating up this summer. With many record days already, we’re settling in for a long and hot summer. Luckily, the rivers and reservoirs are still up, so taking a swim or kayaking down the whitewater, is a great way to cool off! Just don’t let the hot weather get you down! Get outdoors and then reward yourself after a long hike with a dip in the lake!For the first time all summer, we went out to Horsetooth Reservoir and brought a picnic, the dogs, and a bathing suit and spent the day playing. We kept it simple. We just swam with the dogs, hiked, and had a brown bag picnic lunch. I felt like a kid again on a field trip! After a full afternoon of playing, we crashed under a shade tree on a blanket, and when we woke up, we did it all over again!We got home late, and were completely satisfied and exhausted in spending a summer day just like it is supposed to be spent. In the sun, playing, and having fun.

For more information on how you can cool off with Northern Colorado Outdoors, visit our website at: http://www.northerncoloradooutdoors.com/