north golden hogback open space (dakota ridge)

Introduction

The City of Golden owns 28.45 acres of Open Space on the south end of the geological formation called “North Golden Hogback” (also known as "Dakota Ridge") located just north and east of Pine Ridge Road. To the east is Jefferson County Open Space Land and to the north is land owned by the Colorado State Land Board. To the west is the Canyon View residential development. The “North Golden Hogback” separates the space into roughly eastern and western sections.

Part of the city owned property on the eastern section is on planning maps for a future right-of-way in the re-alignment of Col 93/ Washington Ave, so is more properly characterized as “temporary” open space.

This discussion includes references to maps that can be downloaded at the bottom of the page.

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Trail Access

Formal trail access to the North Golden Hogback Open Space is limited to a perimeter trail that runs along the west side of the Cressman Gulch waterway and separates the open space from the Canyon View residential neighborhood. A portion of the open space on the hogback formation is fenced off due to hazardous conditions from past clay mining operations.

Social trails on the east side of the Open Space takes hikers past interesting rock formations and mining vent holes left from another era. (1)

Landscape

The eastern portion of the city open space land, which includes the 7.5 acres of future right-of-way, is relatively flat with a slight rise to the west. At the junction with the North Golden Hogback, the property rises sharply to near vertical, ending in sharp ridges. The southern end of the ridge slopes upwards to the north and levels off with smoother terrain at the top, beyond the city property line. The western portion of the open space is meadow that slopes upward until it rises sharply to the hogback formation.

Vegetation

There are 86 species of plants known on the North Golden Hogback site including good cactus biodiversity. Also found are Blue Flax and Sand Reed Grass which are the only places these plants have been found in Golden.

Click here to see Tom Schweich's complete plant list for North Golden Hogback.

Paleontology

This site contains a National Natural Landmark called the "Early Bird Site". The Dakota Sandstone at the Early Bird site contains the first bird and crocodilian footprints ever reported from the Cretaceous period (about 100 million years ago). The footprints decorate the walls of the historic clay mines found here. The original finds date from the 1930's but more recently paleontologists rediscovered the site and found more fossil bird and crocodile trackways and dinosaur "bulges". (2)

Geology

North Dakota Hogback is part of the named Dakota Hogback formation that runs from Colorado Springs to Fort Collins. In the Golden area it is given different localized names, such as Dinosaur Ridge, and the I-70 Roadcut, which has a geological trail walk.

In south Golden, the formation is called Tin Cup Ridge or more commonly, the West Colfax/US 40 “Hogback”. The formation continues in the Golden Ridge Condo neighborhood as low hills leading to a prominent ridge called Eagle Ridge. In central Golden the formation disappears and then in north Golden reappears again as Dakota Ridge. (3)

History

About 1866, the earliest fire-clay mining started in Golden and probably at this open space site. This type of clay is rich in kaolinite which is resistant to heat and thus excellent for making fire bricks as well as fine China and ceramic pottery. The clay was found in vertically upturned outcrops. It is white or gray in color. The highly observable trench scars from early mining days of this fire-clay can be seen from Colo 93. (4)

Wildlife

Given its relatively isolated location and proximity to the foothills, it should be expected that this area is home to large and small mammals, and a broad range of bird species, likely similar to those found on North Table Mountain nearby.

Education

Although access to some portion of North Golden Hogback Open Space is denied, there is a long history of clay mining as well as geological and paleontology history that can be explained by guided tours or informational signage.

Scenic Views

Residents of neighborhoods on the west side of the city portion of this hogback, view an expanse of rising open space, quite green in the summers.

The Golden North Hogback serves to reduce traffic noise and light pollution for residents living on the west side of this geological formation. This is an important quality of life enhancement.

Although the site is near residential housing and commercial buildings, walking the primary or the social trails on the east of the geological formation provide for a distinctive outdoor nature experience.

References

(1) Anderson, Donna S. and Paul B. Hasseman, (2021). Golden Rocks: The Geology and

Mining History of Golden, Colorado, Golden, Colorado. (Download for free at the bottom of the "Accomplishments" page)

(2) Anderson and Haseman, p. 15

(3) Anderson and Haseman. p. 13.

(4) Anderson and Haseman, pp 71-72.

Stewards of Golden Open Space

Advocating for Golden Open Space Preservation

north golden hogback open space (dakota ridge)

Introduction

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Our Story in Pictures: Stewards of Golden Open Space's Journey to Make a Difference

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