South of Metro Denver, the terrain gradually rises toward the Palmer Divide and has been sculpted into a maze of ridges and mesas by the tributaries of the South Platte River. Douglas County has set aside one of these ridges as an open space preserve, chosen to protect breeding habitat for sharp-tailed grouse. A parking area off Roxborough Park Road is the access point for a 4.4 mile trail that winds up and along the ridge, eventually intersecting a network of trails in the foothills. From the trailhead, which sits at an elevation of 5800 feet, the trail winds southward and gradually upward, crossing shortgrass prairie studded with yuccas, prickly pear cacti and a wide variety of wildflowers. Grassland sparrows, Say's phoebes, meadowlarks, sharp-tailed grouse and open country raptors, such as kestrels, prairie falcons and golden eagles, are often observed along the way and signs warn visitors to watch for prairie rattlesnakes that may sun themselves on the trail.
As the trail climbs higher, changing views of the nearby foothills, distant mountains and Metro Denver unfold to the west and north. Two miles from the trailhead, near an elevation of 6000 feet, the path reaches a swath of foothill shrublands which blanket the more shaded slopes of the ridge. Here you may find rufous-sided and green-tailed towhees, lesser goldfinches, blue-gray gnatcatchers, black-headed grosbeaks, scrub jays and other avian residents of the lower Transition Zone. Just past this area the trail reaches the crest of the ridge and views extend to other ridges and mesas of the Plum Creek watershed; unfortunately, one also observes that residential developments are spreading westward, toward the foothills, placing emphasis on the importance of Sharptail Ridge and other open space preserves.
Those who plan to visit this scenic refuge are advised that dogs and trail bikes are not permitted. In addition, the preserve is closed to the public during most weeks from mid September to late November, when licensed deer and elk hunting occur in the area. Indeed, elk herds winter along this ridge and may attract mountain lions from the adjacent foothills; other predators include coyotes, red fox and raptors, as mentioned above.
