october - november 2023 The Flagstaff Summit is one of OSMP’s most visited areas, and also one of its most developed. The restroom on site is labeled as wheelchair accessible however the existing ORAR (Outdoor Recreation Access Route) runs at a steep ~12-14% grade for about 40’. The crew constructed a new ORAR to provide wheelchair access from the parking lot to the restroom. Improvements began in October, with a 4-person crew working to complete the work prior to winter snowfall and a December raptor closure that would limit the use of power-tools on-site until summer. Native stone was used to construct retention and imported flagstone to create a firm, level transition surface from the asphalt to the trail. Double the length of the existing route, the new access runs 5-7% grade in its entirety. The soil on the Summit is comprised of loose, well-drained decomposing granite. The crew used water and a vibrating plate-compactor to wet and compact the native soil. The parking spaces and associated signage need to be realigned to provide a clear access aisle from the accessible parking space to the new ORAR. Work was completed for the City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks in Boulder, CO.
completed (restoration yet to be completed): The newly-constructed route runs between 5-7%, with a flat turning area.
before: on the right - the previous route to the restroom, a steep trail with grades up to 15%
before
in progress
in progress
before
in progress
in progress
crew working in winter conditions
in progress (flagstone paving)