[BikeLongmont] Sandstone Ranch

[Richard Masoner]

I found an error in my inquiry about the St. Vrain
Trail extension to Sandstone Ranch. Phase 7 calls for
planning in 2004 with construction in 2005 to County
Line Road. Phase 8 is construction to Sandstone Ranch
in 2006. These projects are already funded. Any
further extension east to St. Vrain State Park and
Firestone would be the responsibility of Weld County.

While I'm talking about Sandstone Ranch, I thought I'd
tack on a quickie trip report about Longmont's newest
regional park.

I rode to Sandstone Ranch a couple of weeks ago. SH119
is not a pleasant road to ride on but the destination
is nice. Parking is ample at Sandstone so driving is
certainly an option. Bicycle parking is more than
adequate also.

The visitors' center is a beautifully restored home
with a clean restroom, free coffee and the requisite
stuffed animals and wildlife  and historical
information. The trails outside take you to some
scenery that I didn't realize existed in Longmont.
Signs along the trail detail history such as the
homesteader's precedent-setting court case with the
Lefthand Ditch Company which formed the basis of water
law for the entire West.

The trail meanders along a Prairie Dog town and toward
the St. Vrain River before looping up to the top of an
pretty impressive cliff, providing a nice panoramic
view of the St. Vrain Valley and Longmont to the west
and a gravel quarry operation to the south.

The visitor center is only open Tuesday mornings and
Thursday afternoons. Note also that I'm describing the
portion of Sandstone Ranch that is east of the sports
complex.

>From Sandstone Ranch, I rode out to the Firestone
Rail-To-Trail, where I discovered where all the
turkeys come from. Going north from SH119, the scenery
consists of hundreds of yards of turkey enclosures and
the odor is beyond description. When the Front Range
Trail becomes reality I'm sure this segment of the
trail will be wildly popular. My sympathies go to
those who bike in from Firestone/Frederick along
SH119.

RFM



	
		
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