The Smart Marty Sky Dispatch
Several Boulder County trails to close Thursday for removal of downed aircraft near South Boulder Peak
Several trails in Boulder County will close to the public Thursday as federal officials work to remove an aircraft that went down in southern Boulder County earlier this month.
Several Boulder County trails will close Thursday as federal officials work to remove a downed aircraft near South Boulder Peak. The closures involve specific trailheads and segments to support the extrication operation.
The downed single-engine aircraft crashed north of Eldorado Canyon State Park around 9:42 p.m. on Oct. 4. The crash site is described as south of the Flatirons, with the aircraft last detected by radar in the Eldorado Springs area.
A private contractor will coordinate with the National Transportation Safety Board to remove the plane, with assistance from the Rocky Mountain Rescue Group, City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks, and the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Services Unit.
Trail closures begin at 6 a.m. Thursday and are expected to lift by 5 p.m. that day. Affected paths include South Boulder Creek West Trailhead, South Mesa Trailhead, Bear Peak Trail (between Bear Peak and South Boulder Peak), Homestead Trail, Lower Big Bluestem Trail/Thomas Lane, Shadow Canyon North Trail, Shadow Canyon South Trail, Shadow Canyon Trail, South Boulder Creek West Trail, Towhee Trail, and Upper Big Bluestem Trail. Additional closures may occur if circumstances change during the removal.
Temporary Flight Restrictions will be in place during the extrication, applying to both manned aircraft and unmanned aerial systems (drones).