The Mount Sanitas Trail—one of Boulder, Colorado's most popular—sees hundreds of users daily. Ahead of 3–5 years of planned work, this project aimed to make a small, positive improvement and connect with visitors. Over eight weeks, a four-person crew replaced a failing two-foot-wide staircase that had encouraged steep, unsightly social trails and damaged natural resources. We installed 26 steps at a four-foot width, rehabilitating about 60 feet of trail; added approximately 225 linear feet of buck-and-rail fencing to keep people on-trail and define a city-view rest area; and closed roughly 1,000 square feet for restoration with erosion netting and wattles. Extensive bedrock required Hilti drilling before each step was set. Uniquely, pre-quarried stone flown in by helicopter a few years earlier was available; rocks were carried downhill in baskets. Summer heat and minimal shade added difficulty, and a nesting rock wren prompted a minor alignment shift. The crew also partnered with Mile High Youth Corps and the Junior Rangers to move materials to and from the site. The project was completed for the City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks.
completed project
designated rest area to the right, overlooks the city
upper staircase
before
completed restoration: shut down social trails
before restoration: highly impacted areas on the left
completed restoration: impacted area above the staircase
before restoration: impacted area above the staircase
in progress
in progress
in progress