1. Plan

  2. Design

  3. Build

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Completion Date
2024
Current Phase
Build

Project Overview

In late June 2023, City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) begun construction of the North Sky Trail, a new 3.5-mile trail north of Boulder and west of U.S. Highway 36. OSMP anticipates completing construction of the new trail in early June, weather permitting.

The new trail will provide visitors a connection between OSMP’s Foothills Trail in north Boulder to the Joder Ranch Trail near U.S. Highway 36 and Neva Road. It will be open to hikers, bicyclists and equestrians and will provide visitors with an opportunity to bike, walk or ride all the way from Boulder to Left Hand Canyon.

Map of North Sky Trail alignment from the Joder Ranch Trailhead in the north to the Foothills North Trail in the south

The North Sky Trail – which has required extensive design and permitting work to help protect sensitive natural resources – was called for in OSMP’s North Trail Study Area Plan PDF.

Once the trail is constructed, on-trail use will be required to protect rare plants and habitat in this area and a Habitat Conservation Area (HCA) will be enacted in the immediate vicinity. Additionally, dogs must be on-leash and are allowed for most of the year; they are prohibited from May 1 – July 31 to protect bird nesting habitat.

North Sky Trail - May Updates

May 2, 2024

The 38-foot bridge over Schneider Draw has been set in-place! The bridge was delivered and set by crane on Wed, May 1. On Thurs, May 2, a helicopter delivered 11 loads of bridge materials to the South Bridge site, located at the southern terminus of the North Sky Trail. Construction of the 50-foot South Bridge will occur over the next 1-2 weeks.

May 6, 2024

Construction of the south bridge at North Sky Trail continues! The bridge truss sections that were flown in by helicopter last week were bolted together on-site today. Conditions are too windy today to stand the trusses up on the bridge foundations – hoping for calmer winds tomorrow so construction can continue.

May 8, 2024

Construction of the structural part of the south bridge for North Sky Trail is complete. Remaining work includes installing the bridge decking, and site restoration.

May 17, 2024

The Foothills North Trail section and Foothills Trailhead have been reopened.

  • A large crane lowers a metal bridge over Schneider Draw to connect the North Sky Trail

    Greg Seabloom

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  • Three construction workers stand on the newly placed metal bridge over Schneider Draw on North Sky Trail

    Greg Seabloom

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  • A helicopter flies overhead carrying a piece of metal bridge for North Sky Trail

    Greg Seabloom

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  • Pieces of the South Bridge and construction equipment sit on the North Sky Trail

    Greg Seabloom

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  • Construction equipment lifts a piece of the South Bridge over the North Sky Trail

    Greg Seabloom

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  • Construction workers laying boards on the deck of the South Bridge on North Sky Trail

    Greg Seabloom

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  • A side view of the partially constructed South Bridge along the North Sky Trail

    Greg Seabloom

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    • North Sky Trail bridges

    OSMP is constructing two trail bridges. Both bridges will be steel structures. The southern bridge will be 50 feet long, and the Schneider Draw bridge will be 38 feet long.

    Design sketch of the North Sky Trail bridges that are being built

    Volunteer Opportunities and Partnerships

    As part of this project, OSMP will use several trail construction approaches, including using OSMP trail crews, contractors, volunteers, youth corps and community partnership, such as Boulder Mountainbike Alliance volunteer projects. We invite community members to participate in its construction through many volunteer projects, including “Trail Work Tuesday” events. Learn more about VolunteerOSMP.org. We invite community members to participate in its construction through many volunteer projects, including “Trail Work Tuesday” events. Learn more about VolunteerOSMP.org.

    Key Construction Elements

    As outlined in the NTSA Plan, the trail will follow sections of the existing 1880’s-constructed railroad grade, parts of which currently serve as an undesignated trail. The North Sky Trail also requires the construction of two trail bridges – the South Bridge spanning a through-cut in the 1880s railroad grade embankment, and the other spanning the Schneider Draw drainage.

    The trail will be constructed at a 4-foot width and aligned with sustainable grades and drainage to minimize erosion while also providing an enjoyable experience for all uses. Much of the trail will be natural-surface (comprised of native soils) – some locations will be surfaced with aggregate base course (gravel) where terrain and soil types may result in poor drainage and prolonged muddy trail conditions.

    Protecting Natural Resources

    Throughout the trail planning effort, OSMP followed City Council guidance to minimize natural resource impacts to every extent possible. The OSMP project team was comprised of staff representing expertise in trails, botany, wildlife, wetlands, and cultural resources. This team has collaborated to design the trail to minimize impacts to sensitive resources such as foothills wetlands, shrub-nesting bird habitat and plant species in the area.

    Learn more about the North Sky Trail in a memo prepared for the Open Space Board of Trustees PDF.

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    Related Documents

    North TSA Plan pdf