EARLY SUMMER LINEUP ANNOUNCED AT ACES
Aspen Center for Environmental Studies Packs in Tours, Community Programs and More!
Aspen, Colorado (June 1, 2023)— Aspen Center for Environmental Studies (ACES) looks forward to the first half of the summer season in the Roaring Fork Valley. Since the late 1960s, ACES has offered community programs and events that introduce locals and visitors of all ages to the incredible natural environment surrounding Aspen, Basalt, and the Castle Creek Valley.
ACES welcomes the public to its visitor centers: Hallam Lake, a 25-acre nature preserve in the heart of Aspen and Rock Bottom Ranch, an educational, regenerative ranch between Basalt and Carbondale. The Catto Center at Toklat, a wilderness retreat near the headwaters of the Castle Creek River remains closed for renovations until late fall 2023. Admission is free at all of our sites. Hallam Lake Nature Preserve and Rock Bottom Ranch feature interactive activities for all ages and staff on-site to answer questions.
For more information, see descriptions below or visit https://aspennature.org/.
FREE NATURALIST-GUIDED HIKES
No reservations required. Space limited - first come, first served! June 17 - September 4
Aspen Mountain Hike
Daily on the hour, 11am-3pm, Free
Richmond Ridge
Meet at the top of the gondola for a one-mile guided tour with a
knowledgeable ACES Naturalist. Wildflowers, wildlife, and mining
history, forest ecology, and a 360-degree viewpoint.
Snowmass Wildflower Walk
Daily at 10am, Free
Snowmass Mall
Learn about local ecology and wildflowers as this 2.5-mile loop hike
winds in and out of lush meadows and aspen forests.
Snowmass Ice Age Discovery Hike
Daily at 1pm, Free
Snowmass Mall
Learn about the Ice Age archaeological discovery in Snowmass!
Information about the dig will amaze you on this hike adjacent to the site of the fossil discovery.
Maroon Bells Maroon Lake Walk
Daily at 10:15am & 1:15pm, Free
Maroon Bells Visitor Center
Stroll along Maroon Lake with breathtaking views of the Maroon Bells
and surrounding mountains on this one-mile, one-way guided tour.
Maroon Bells Crater Lake Hike
Daily at 10:15am and 1:15pm, Free
Maroon Bells
Learn about local ecology and natural history on this two-mile, 500-foot elevation gain, one-way hike from Maroon Lake to Crater Lake.
FREE NATURE WALKS
Walk on the Other Side*
July 28, August 25 & September 7, 9am-1pm, Free
North Star Nature Preserve
Join ACES Naturalist Program Director to learn about life on the far side of the North Star Preserve.
In partnership with Pitkin County Open Space & Trails.
Stories Told by Trees: Fire Walk Series*
Various dates June 22 - September 28, Free
Various locations
Join our ACES Forest & Climate Director to learn about forest fire burn zones to learn about the regeneration of forest ecosystems.
FEATURED ASHCROFT TOURS
Green World Day Hike*
Available daily from 10:30am-2:30pm
$60 per person, two-person minimum
Explore the historic silver mining ghost town of Ashcroft and hike along Castle Creek encountering spectacular wildflower meadows and mountain vistas. This 3.5-mile round trip hike features a gourmet lunch at the Pine Creek Cookhouse. (Cost of lunch not included.)
River Run Sunset Hike*
Available July-September
$60 per person, two-person minimum
For this evening version of our “Green Day World Hike,” explore the Castle Creek Valley at sunset and hike to the Pine Creek cookhouse for a gourmet dinner. (Cost of dinner not included)
PRIVATE NATURALIST-GUIDED HIKES AND TOURS
Go with a Naturalist guide on your next hike! Guided tours can be customized to your interests, including wildlife, history, ecology, wildflowers, and more. Sites include Linkins Lake, Ashcroft Ghost Town, Aspen Mountain,
Hunter Creek, Maroon Lake, North Star Preserve, American Lake, Lost Man Loop, Cathedral Lake, and sections of the Castle Creek Valley.
Reservations required at aspennature.org/naturalist-programs/private-guide/or call 970.925.5756.
BIRDING OUTINGS
Led by ACES bird guide, Rebecca Weiss.
Morning Birding*
Tuesday Mornings, weekly
Start times vary
Hallam Lake or Rock Bottom Ranch
All experience levels welcome!
Birding By Habitat Series*
Wednesdays:
June 21, 7am-12pm - Basalt Mountain
July 12, 7am-11:30am - Riverdance
July 26, 7am-10:30am - Woody Creek & Lenado
August 2, 7am-11:30am - Snowmass
Observe and discover the diverse birdlife in various Roaring Fork Valley habitats.
Birding at North Star Nature Preserve*
Monday, July 17, 7am-11am
Wednesdays, August 16 & September 6, 7:30am-10:30am
North Star Nature Preserve
In partnership with Pitkin County Open Space & Trails.
Hummingbird Study*
Tuesday, July 11, 7:45pm-9pm
Thursday, July 13, 7:30am-9:30am
Aspen Area - West Buttermilk Road.
COMMUNITY PROGRAMS
Bird of Prey Demonstrations
Monday - Saturday, June 17-September 4, 5pm | Hallam Lake Nature Preserve
Advanced registration required | Free for members, suggested $10 donation for non-members
Join ACES Naturalists and learn about the unique keystone predators that help keep our ecosystems healthy. This program will focus on educating around ACES' resident birds of prey and our new training protocols. Flight demonstrations and/or feedings will be included in this program. Learn all about the important role raptors play as keystone predators! Learn more: https://www.aspennature.org/classes/summer-raptors-birds-prey.
Sunset Beaver Walks
June 20 - August 30, Tuesdays & Wednesdays, 7:30pm | Hallam Lake Nature Preserve
Advanced registration required | Free for members, $10 per family for non-members
Join ACES Naturalists for Sunset Beaver Walks, a special evening program at Hallam Lake. Learn all about this incredible species and the valuable role beavers play in wetland ecosystems. Enjoy a guided walk around the Hallam Lake nature preserve at dusk: the perfect time to spot ACES' resident beaver family and other wildlife! *There will be no Beaver Walk Tuesday, July 4 or August 15. Learn more: https://www.aspennature.org/classes/sunset-beaver-walk.
Know Your Trees
Mondays, June 19 - August 28, 4pm | Hallam Lake Nature Preserve
Advanced registration required | Free for members, suggested $10 donation for non-members
Firs and spruces, aspens and cottonwoods…how many trees do you know? Come explore ACES’ backyard with us and discover up to a dozen species of conifers and deciduous trees. Join the ACES Naturalist Program Director Jim Kravitz or the ACES Forest Program Director Adam McCurdy on this hour-long walk around the Hallam Lake neighborhood to identify local trees. Participants will walk away with The Rocky Mountain Tree Finder booklet and basic knowledge about the native trees that grow in our neighborhood. *There will be no class on Monday, July 4th. Learn more: https://www.aspennature.org/classes/know-your-trees-tree-identification-walk.
Wild Yoga
June 20, June 27, July 11, July 18, July 25, 5:15pm | Hallam Lake Nature Preserve
Advanced registration required | Free; suggested $10 donation
Join Lead With Love instructors in this outdoor yoga class along the edge of Hallam Lake. Drawing on the wild roots of yoga, this all-levels class blends philosophy, asana (posture) practice, and contemplative exploration of ACES’ nature preserve into a playful and holistic experience. Classes are donation-based and support our environmental education programs. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to visit and experience the Hallam Lake nature preserve during evening hours throughout the summer. In partnership with Lead With Love. *100% of the proceeds support ACES environmental education programs. Learn more: https://www.aspennature.org/classes/wild-yoga.
Sound Bath & Forest Bathing
June 21, July 12, July 26, August 23, 5:15pm
Hallam Lake
Join Aspen local Megan DiSabatino for a restorative sound journey and magical evening forest bathing in nature at Hallam Lake. We’ll engage all of our senses as we explore the trees, wildflowers, meadow grasses and icy waters of the Roaring Fork River. Will happen rain or shine! More info: https://aspennature.org/activity/sound-bath/
COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AND CREATIVE WORKSHOPS
Painting & Birding*
Wednesday, June 14, 5:30pm-8pm, $75
Rock Bottom Ranch
In collaboration with The Art Base.
High in the Alpine: Flowers, Birds, & Small Mammals of the Tundra*
Friday, July 14, 8:30am-1pm, Free members, $10 nonmembers
Independence Pass
In partnership with the Forest Conservancy.
Nature Journaling*
Saturday, August 5, 9am-3pm, $85
Thursday, August 17, 9am-1pm, $65
Riverdance
ENJOY ACES AT ROCK BOTTOM RANCH
Hayride Farm Tours
Saturdays, June 4 - August 27, 10:30am-11:30am
Advanced registration required | $10 for adults, children 12 and under free
See how livestock, hoop houses, and gardens produce through the summer while learning the science behind our vegetable production and livestock rotational grazing system. Tours are appropriate for all ages and provide opportunities to interact with our farmers and learn where your food comes from.
More info: https://www.aspennature.org/classes/hayride-farm-tours
Self-guided Tours
During hours of operation, June - September, 10:30am
Advanced registration required | Suggested $5 donation, $10 for families; free for members
Explore Rock Bottom Ranch at your own pace! Pick up a copy of our self-guided tour and walk around the property, learning about hoop houses, livestock, and more. You will have the opportunity to donate during registration or at the ranch.
More info: https://www.aspennature.org/ranch-experiences
Egg Collection
Fridays, June - September, 10:30am
Advanced registration required | $10 per family, includes a dozen eggs
Come meet our colorful flock of laying hens, learn their breeds and role at Rock Bottom Ranch, and help collect our delicious multi-colored eggs. We will be collecting eggs rain or shine. Please wear comfortable clothes & bring layers. Egg Collection will start promptly at 10:30am.
More info: https://www.aspennature.org/classes/egg-collection
*Advance registration required at https://aspennature.org/.
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Aspen Community News
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Aspen Community News