September 2-4
‘Save the Mill City House’ Yard Sale
The Mill Creek Valley Historical Society holds its annual yard sale to “Save the Mill City House,” Sept. 2-4 from 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. each day. This year, the sale takes place at the Dumont School, located off the frontage road between the Mini-Storage facilities and the Fire Authority Building, and in front of the Mill City House at Interstate 70 Exit 235. The Mill City House, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, represents a method and period of construction as a rare intact Pioneer Log building associated with Colorado’s early mining settlements. The building, which is in desperate need of repair, reflects the evolution of the early Pioneer Log cabin: constructed quickly for a mining settlement to a refined road house with clapboard covering the logs. Visit mcvhs.org for more information.

September 3
Hard Rock Mining Tour
Boulder County Parks & Open Space presents a three-hour journey, Sept. 3 from 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., to explore the towns, tools and people of local hard rock mining heritage by visiting mining sites of years gone by. The tour is free and open to ages 10 and up. Some walking required and space is limited. Participants will meet at the Nederland Park N’ Ride, 300 Jackson St. Visit http://www.bouldercounty.org to learn more.

September 2, 9, 16
Hike With a Naturalist
By taking a guided hike in Rocky Mountain National Park, a whole new world of information is revealed. Whether an experienced hiker, or just beginning, heading out with a naturalist guide is a great way to experience the park’s hidden stories. Every Friday through Sept. 16, the Rocky Mountain Conservancy Field Institute is guiding a four-park naturalist-led hiking series, ‘Hike with a Naturalist’, in the national park. On Sept. 2, participants will pass enchanting waterfalls and bubbling cascade while ascending to Lone Pine Lake. On Sept. 9, explore from Bear Lake to Fern Lake, passing Lake Helene, Odessa Lake, and Fern Lake along the way. The final hike, Sept. 16 is in Wild Basin, and leads the group to breath-taking Pear Lake in the southern portion of the park. Every hike in this series will be led by an experienced naturalist. For more information or to register for this program, call the Rocky Mountain Conservancy Field Institute at 970-586-3262 or visit http://www.rmconservancy.org.

September 3-4
Indian Peaks Classic Bike Ride
The Indian Peaks Classic, Sept. 3-4, is special bike ride through the Indian Peaks around Boulder and Nederland featuring pro headliners and breathtaking wilderness and a fun mix of on road and “dirty” challenges. Cyclists of all levels are encouraged to take part. Net proceeds benefit the Just Go Harder Foundation, a Boulder-based organization that gets kids into cycling, skiing, and a strong start at a lifetime of healthy adventure. The Sneak Peak is an exclusive V.I.P. addition prior to the ride that includes a reception and dinner at Arugula Ristorante on Saturday evening along with headliners and more. All Sunday events begin at Salto Coffee Works and Tin Shed Sports in Nederland. For more information, call 970-626-9913 or visit indianpeaksclassic.presencehost.net.

September 8, 15, 22
The American West as Living Space
In honor of the Pulitzer Prizes’ 2016 centennial celebration, Nederland Community Library, 200 Hwy. 72 N., hosts a series of readings and conversations for anyone who loves the West, Sept. 8, 15, and 22 at 7 p.m. The three-part literary series surrounding “The American West as Living Space” includes discussions facilitated by scholar and historian Dr. Derek Everett. Before each meeting participants will read selections about the American West written by Pulitzer-recognized authors including Gary Snyder, Wallace Stegner, Annie Proulx, Louise Erdrich, Robert Hass and Kay Ryan. This program is funded in part by Colorado Humanities and the Pulitzer Prizes Campfires Initiative. The workshop is limited to 25 participants and everyone receives a copy of the “American West as Living Space” reader, which includes nonfiction, journalism, fiction and poetry. To sign up, e-mail Jay Mann at jaymann.ncl@gmail.com or call 303-258-1101. Visit nedlib.org for more details.

September 8-11
Universal Consciousness Festival
The Universal Consciousness Festival at Dao House, 6120 Hwy. 7 in Estes Park, Sept. 8-11, is about uniting cultures, beliefs and religions through healing and wellness. The event brings together ancient forms of healing and techniques to achieve universal healing along with a diverse, exciting and unique array of performances. Founded on the principle that no matter who we are, we all want a healthy body and to live a long and fulfilling life. Day passes are available or save with a festival pass. Visit http://www.universalconsciousnessfestival.org or call 970-586-4094 for registration and complete details.

September 8-October 15
Elk Expeditions
As autumn settles in, one of the most spectacular performances in Rocky Mountain National Park begins. Elk descend from the alpine into montane meadows, where prime bulls display fascinating and majestic mating behavior. With the commencement of the elk rut, locals and visitors alike flood into Rocky in hope of catching a peek. Instead of fighting the traffic this rut season, why not let someone else do the driving? Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings from Sept. 8-Oct. 15, Rocky Mountain Conservancy Field Institute will once again provide its popular “Elk Expeditions.” This bus-based seminar gets participants out to admire the elk rut festivities from the comfort of a 14-passenger bus or 12-passenger van. Each tour will have a professional educational guide on board to explain the spectacular displays of elk mating behavior. Handle antlers and learn about not only about the rut, but what makes these powerful animals so unique. To register, or for more information on the upcoming Elk Expeditions with Rocky Mountain Conservancy Field Institute, call 970-586-3262 or visit http://www.rmconservancy.org/events.

September 10
Ned Ned Races
The scenic Ned Ned Half Marathon, 5K and 10K races, Sept. 10 at 8 a.m., supports Nederland’s TEENS, Inc. and begins and ends at its building, 151 East St. The 1/2 Marathon takes runners through Old Town Nederland to forest service roads and single track trails. Immerse yourself in the history and beauty of the area. This long-time race is family-friendly and dogs on a leash are welcome in the 5K and 10K events. Costumes are encouraged. Don’t miss the post race gathering for food and sponsor samples. The first 50 runners to register get socks. The event costs $35, $40 or $60 depending on the race, through Sept. 5, and $40, $45 or $70 from Sept. 5 until race day. Visit teensinc.org/nedned-race or e-mail NedNed@teensinc.org to learn more.

September 11
Bears in our Backyard
As fall approaches, black bears are busy gorging on berries and other food in preparation for their long winter sleep. Join Boulder County Parks & Open Space volunteer naturalists, Sept. 11 from 10 a.m.-noon on a moderate one-mile hike at Mud Lake Open Space to learn about the natural history of our local bruin and how people and bears can share our wild places. For more detials, call 303-678-6214, e-mail lcolbenson@bouldercounty.org or visit http://www.bouldercounty.org.

September 16
Avis Gray & Suzanne Silverthorn book signing
Avis Gray, author of “Images of America Grand Lake” and Suzanne Silverthorn, author of “Around Rocky Mountain National Park” will be at Estes Park’s Macdonald Bookshop, 152 E. Elkhorn Ave., Sept. 16 from 2-4 p.m., to sign their books. Visit http://www.macdonaldbookshop.com or call 970-586-3450 to learn more.

September 28
Artistic Pathways of the Past: Isabella Bird
“Artistic Pathways of the Past: The Inspirational Journey of Artists in Estes Park,” explores the history behind the art and the artist. This series is a collaboration of The Estes Park Museum and the Estes Valley Library. On Sept. 28 at 7 p.m., the Estes Park Museum program features Linda Batlin as Isabella Bird, a traveler and a writer with a wonderful ability to describe her surroundings in great detail. Come hear about Birds’s lively adventures on her first trip to Estes Park in 1873 and of her arduous climb of Longs Peak—she was the third woman ever to climb Longs Peak—as well as of her romance with the rogue, Rocky Mountain Jim. She was dazzled by the Rocky Mountains and enthralled by the “blue hollow at the foot of Longs Peak” – Estes Park – which is written about in her book “A Lady’s Life in the Rocky Mountains.” Call 970-586-8116 or visit estesvalleylibrary.org for additional information.

September 23-24
Murder Mystery Dinners
Like a good murder mystery? Escape to Gold Hill and the hisotric Bluebird Inn to join the fun of a good mystery and tasty three-course meal. This season, Maggie Simms and ’Til Death Do Us Party presents an election-year mystery full of folks that may seem oddly familiar, even though it’s set in 1905. The rich and ruthless candidate, the female candidate who’s got the experience but not the personality, and a set of shady and hilarious characters are all involved. Come out Sept. 23-24, to see if you can be the one to solve the mystery and save the election. Addtional dinners are held Oct. 7, 8, 22, 29. Visit http://www.thegoldhillinn.com for more information and call 303-443-6461 for reservations.

Draft decision on trails near Nederland released

NEDERLAND
The U.S. Forest Service has released its final environmental assessment and a draft decision for the Magnolia Non-Motorized Trails Project.

The draft decision would approve a 44-mile, non-motorized trail system across about 6,000 acres in Boulder and Gilpin counties in an area along the Peak to Peak Highway known as East Magnolia and West Magnolia. Currently there are only 16 miles of existing National Forest system trails in the area and about 46 miles of non-system or “user-created” trails.

The project includes building new trails, adding some user-created trails to the system and obliterating all other user-created routes. New signage to help keep visitors on the system trails; improved trailheads, including bathrooms and expanded parking at trailheads; and facilities for horse trailers at West Magnolia Trailhead are also components.

The draft decision eliminates snowmobiles and restricts bikes and horses to designated trails. It also provides an opportunity for a special use permittee to groom non-motorized trails in winter for Nordic skiing and fat tire biking and facilitates access from the trail system to Nederland through connecting trails that don’t currently exist.

Other regional trail connections outlined include connecting the Magnolia Trail System to the Toll Conservation Easement Trail to Jenny Creek Trail.

Those who previously provided written comments on the project now have until midnight on Oct. 11 to submit written objections. The complete draft decision, final environmental analysis and information are available online at http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/arp/MagnoliaTrails.