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Rifle state parks announce guided activities for Memorial Day weekend

Staff Report
Post Independent
Glenwood Springs, CO Colorado

Rifle Gap, Rifle Falls and Harvey Gap state parks are hosting a series of naturalist-guided activities for Memorial Day Weekend.

Park naturalists will lead visitors on a journey of discovery through guided hikes and activities. Programs are free, but remember that all vehicles entering the park must purchase a $7 daily pass or display a valid annual pass.

For program information call Terry Wise, park naturalist, at 625-1607.



• Here Comes Peter Cottontail: Friday, May 25, 4-4:45 p.m., Rifle Gap swim beach

Take a hike with the park naturalist from the north end of the beach to the west end of the beach to observe any desert cottontail rabbits (a resident of Rifle Gap) that may be hopping about. Learn about this animal and their habitat and create your own unique piece of artwork.



• Colorado Wildflower Hike: Saturday, May 26, 10 a.m., Rifle Falls State Park (near the walk-in tent sites)

Join special guest Judy Killion, Rifle Falls’ campground host from Plano, Texas, and the park naturalist on a short hike to spot Colorado wildflowers growing in the park. The difficulty rating for the trail is mostly easy with some steep sections. Wear your sunscreen, good walking shoes and bring some water. The hike is approximately one hour.

• Find the Clues: Saturday, May 26, 1 p.m., Rifle Fall State Park (near the wildlife gazebo)

Join Rifle Falls’ park naturalist at the interpretive table to explore various topics about the wildlife of Rifle Falls State Park. Topics will include animal tracks from the surrounding area. There’s a two-hour time frame for the interpretive table.

• Got Bats?: Saturday, May 26, 7:50 p.m. (start time dependent on dusk; program and hike are finished at approximately 9:15 p.m.), Rifle Falls Mountain Mist amphitheater

Location is everything when one tries to find a suitable living area, and the Rifle Falls’ bats are no exception. Join the park naturalist for an interactive PowerPoint presentation on everything you wanted to know about bats. Bring your flashlights. As dark approaches, participants will observe their flight patterns while they munch on their supper. Make sure to spray yourself with insect repellent. The bat program and hike are dependent on weather conditions.

• Exploring Textures Through Nature: Sunday, May 27, noon, Harvey Gap swim beach

Take a hike with the park naturalist to the Harvey Gap overlook. Explore textures in nature along the way and create your own textured paper bag nature art. This is an approximately 30- to 45-minute program.


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