What's on at Florissant - this year

0 Comments | Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Jun 4, 2004 | by DEB ACORD, THE GAZETTE

A story in last week's Out There section about the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument's summer series listed seminars that occurred last year.

Here is this year's schedule for the one- or two-day programs, which can be taken for graduate school or ongoing education credit, or just for fun:

"Discovering the Secrets of Mountain Wildflowers,"

with Leigh Robertson, June 12.

Natural History of Florissant,"with Richard and Linda Beidleman, June 19."

"Native Peoples of Florissant," with Kurt Fair and Loya Cesspooch Arrum, June 26.

"Geologic History of the Gold Belt Byway," with Herb Meyer and Woody Henry, July 10 and 11.

"Geologic Wonders of South Park," with Donald McGookey, July 17.

"Ancient Life and Landscapes of Florissant," with Herb Meyer, July 18.

"Messages in Stone: Colorado's Geology as Revealed in the Rocks," with Vince Matthews, July 31.

"Parks as Classrooms: Using Florissant Fossil Beds to Teach Earth Science," with Bill Dexter and rangers Jeff Wolin and Laine Weber, Aug. 7.

"Water from the Earth: Limited Resource, Future Challenge in the Front Range," with Bob Raynolds, Aug. 14.

"Fire Ecology of the Front Range: Ecology and Disturbance History of Front Range Forests and Fuels Treatment Options for the Urban Interface," with Wayne Shepperd and Merrill Kaufmann, Aug. 21.

"Lewis and Clark Corps of Discovery," with Dan Mc-Crimmon, John and Carol Stansfield, and Bob and Marilyn Callan, Aug. 28 and 29.

Cost is $35 for one-day seminars and $50 for twoday seminars; members of the Fossil Beds Friends group receive a discount. For information or registration, go to www.nps.gov/flfo or call 748- 3253.

Still time to ski A-Basin

Arapahoe Basin, the ski resort open the latest in Colorado, will close for the season June 13.

Now through closing day, adult lift tickets are $19.99. Spring/ summer conditions exist with two lifts serving top-to-bottom skiing.

The upper Mutha' Hucker terrain park, with jumps, hits and rails, is open 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily.

Only intermediate skiing is available on the mountain.

A barbecue with live entertainment is planned for closing day, if the weather permits.

For more information on closing day, snow conditions or how to buy an A-Basin 2004-05 season pass, call 1-888-ARAPAHOE (1-800-272-7246) or go to www.arapahoebasin.com.

Take aim in Pueblo

A new archery range has opened in Pueblo, at 600 Reservoir Road.

The range, constructed by the Colorado Division of Wildlife, features 10 shooting stations with covered platforms. Targets on the east range are set at 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 yards.

Targets on the north range are 15, 25, 35, 45 and 55 yards. In addition, six targets are set at random distances from the tower, and a life-size mule deer buck with a 37-inch nontypical rack will be added this summer.

The Bighorn Archery Range is open to the public during daylight hours.

For more information, call the DOW office in Pueblo at 1-719-561- 5300.

Cyclists take on the rock

The Compass Bank Elephant Rock Cycling Festival will take place Sunday in Castle Rock. More than 7,000 cyclists are expected to attend and ride one of four road courses or three off-road courses ranging from 8 to 100 miles.

All courses begin and end at the Events Center at the Douglas County Fairgrounds, where riders can camp the night before the ride. Cost for adults is $45 for 100-mile, 65-mile and 50-mile courses, and $35 for the 40-mile, 32-mile, 26-mile and 8-mile courses. The registration fee for children is $25 for any course.

Registration includes a 2004 Compass Bank Elephant Rock T-shirt, an REI Compass Bank water bottle, a rider goodie bag, lunch at the Subaru Party at the Rock, and the chance to win prizes.

To register, visit an area bicycle shop or go to www.elephantrockride.com.