In the heart of Estes Park is a knoll. At one time it was slated to become an outlet mall. The citizens of Estes Park have worked to protect this area as an important wildlife habitat and historic viewshed. It is bounded on the east and north sides by Hwy 34, on the west by MacGregor Avenue, and on the south by municipal parking lots and private commercial buildings. It provides visitors with easy access and incredible views.

The Lion Gulch trail offers access to the Homestead Meadows National Historic District, which is the location of a number of homesteads that were established in the late 1880's and inhabited through the 1940's. It is also part of critical winter range and migration corridor for elk.

Lion Gulch Trailhead is located on Hwy. 36. Thirteen miles west of Lyons and 8 miles east of Estes Park. From Estes Park travel to the 8-mile marker on Hwy. 36. The trailhead is on the west side of the road.

Lily Lake was one of the last privately owned parcels left in the area. It is surrounded by publicly owned and protected land, consequently it was important to continue safeguarding the character of the area as well as minimizing the development around the lake. Water rights were already being sold off, creating an urgency to protect the lake by preserving the water rights. Likewise the tranquility of the area was ensured when the recreational rights were also purchased and controlled.

This area is primarily a subalpine spruce-fir forest consisting mainly of Engelmann spruce, and subalpine fir with huckleberry in the understory. Lily Lake was one of the last privately owned parcels left in the area. It is surrounded by publicly owned and protected land, consequently it was important to continue safeguarding the character of the area as well as minimizing the development around the lake.

Located in the center of Estes Valley, the Lake Estes Trail acts as a central trail hub for an extensive trail network throughout the Estes area and Rocky Mountain National Park. The approximately 4-mile long trail is managed by the Estes Valley Parks and Recreation District. In 1998, the Open Lands Program contributed financially, along with other regional partners, to improve and expand this important trail.

Enos Mills, acknowledged as the father of Rocky Mountain National Park, came to this area when he was 14 years old and the rest, as they say, is history. Even as a teenager he recognized the important wildlife and wetland values of this area. The conservation easement protects the areas where he lived and worked and was established through a partnership with the Estes Valley Land Trust. It has very limited public access.

The larger area nearby called The Knoll, was slated to be developed into an outlet mall. The citizens of Estes Park, understanding the inherent value of view corridors, have been working to protect this area in conjunction with the Stanley Hotel Historic District. The Bikle parcel is one of several smaller pieces contiguous to The Knoll and is central to maintaining a valued historic viewshed. It is not open to the public, except for the views it provides.

This property provides a visual backdrop for the Town of Estes Park. It is south of Elkhorn Ave and is mostly a forested hillside which includes some riparian area. It is adjacent to the town's Gateway Open Space and may eventually have a trail that connects Gateway to the west end of the town.

The Siefke Conservation Easement (CE) includes approximately 35 acres of land north and adjacent to the Indian Creek property of the Devil's Backbone Open Space, and just west of the Rim Rock Conservation Easement. This property is visible from the Devil's Backbone Open Space and portions of the Blue Sky Trail (under construction), and if developed would be a visual impact to this area as well as the future trail system. The Siefke Conservation Easement provides a buffer and additional protected lands to this area.

The land under this conservation easement, located northwest of Fort Collins near Park Creek Reservoir, is not open to the public. The property was leveled and prepared for flood irrigation crop production in 1971. The properties are currently irrigated grass and alfalfa pasture for cattle. The primary purpose of these conservation easements is for the preservation of agricultural lands.