Yesterday I took a run up the new Spruce Mountain Trail. This Open Space area is located south of Larkspur, in southern Douglas County.

I had been told a new trail was being constructed and that it was now open. After my run I find I've got some mixed emotions about it. Kind of a love / hate thing. Let me explain.

First the love.

It's a beautiful trail, well constructed and wide enough for two people to walk easily side by side. The steep sections on the former route have been bypassed in favor of gentler grades. This should make it much more accessible for horses and mountain bikers.

Now the hate. Re-read the preceding paragraph.

Do we really need a trail built like a freeway? Call me old school, simplistic, or just a crusty, grumpy, country boy, but a simple, narrow foot trail works just fine in my way of thinking.

I don't like horses in our Open Spaces, especially Spruce Mountain, and here's why. A horse's metal clad feet scars the ground. One horse puts more wear on a trail than 20 hikers. Not to mention the piles of steaming pooh they leave for the rest of us to "enjoy." Why do horse folks feel they have this innate right to leave piles of horse crap on multi-use trails? I don't get it. Put a diaper on the stupid thing.

This past year I have had the pleasure and the privilege to do some forestry work on Spruce Mtn. for the county. During this time I have had the opportunity to meet those in charge of protecting and caring for the Open Spaces. They are a great group of dedicated people and they do a fine job. Enforcing the rules is hard and pretty much thankless.

I've also had the opportunity to observe horse riders. I am pretty sure few of them understand the words "stay on the trail." I once saw one fellow off the trail next to a bluff posing like Will Rogers on his horse. His partner, on her horse, was also off trail, looking for that perfect photo angle. After they left I went over to their spot. Sure enough, the moss rock was scarred by the hoseshoes.

I have seen horses tied up way off the trail while their owners take a siesta. I have seen riders take their horses off trail while they look for views. Not just once, but time and again.

Have you ever tried to get around a group of horses while on foot? It can be an intimidating thing. Why should people have to worry about things like getting kicked by a horse while out for a hike?

My verdict is out on the mountain bikers (of which I am one, by the way). The new trail will encourage faster descents. I have been a hiker on trails that are popular with bikers in other places. It's not that much fun worrying about getting run over.

It is only a matter of time until some renegades start bypassing the switchbacks to test their mettle going downhill off the new trail. On this I can pretty much guarantee you. At least bikes don't leave turds, which is some consolation.

The primary objective of those in charge of our Open Spaces is protecting wildlife habitat. How does building more and bigger trails accomplish this?

As an aside, the new trail appears to have been built with the use of ATVs. It will obviously fit one. Wait until that interest group gets wind of this! Where do we draw the line?

Let me end this on a positive note. The new trail takes you through some beautiful terrain. Spruce Mountain is a jewell and I encourage you to check it out if you haven't already. And try not to be bothered by the flies swarming on the horse apples. It'll be colder soon and the flies will go away.