First, the usual disclaimer: Hike at your own risk, and don't blame me for anything. Ever.
Maps: the OSMPTrail Map is a great resource. Use the zoom button to zoom into the area you are interested in and the trails will appear. Once you zoom in and the trails appear, drag the map to find the right trailhead and go from there. Specific OSMP maps are linked to each section below.
Maps: the OSMPTrail Map is a great resource. Use the zoom button to zoom into the area you are interested in and the trails will appear. Once you zoom in and the trails appear, drag the map to find the right trailhead and go from there. Specific OSMP maps are linked to each section below.
Chautauqua Trailhead:
Chautauqua is probably the most popular hiking area in Boulder based on it's convenient location, massive web of amazing trails, and easy to pronounce name. Park at Chautauqua Park if you can find a spot; if you show up after 9am, you'll probably be relegated to parking along Baseline.First/Second flatiron:
- Type: out and back
- Distance:2.5 miles
- Elevation:
- Trailhead: 5,694ft
- Summit: 7,126ft
- Total Climb: 1432
- Level of Effort: strenuous
- Duration: 60-90 minutes
- Coverage:75% - the first .3 miles of the Chautauqua trail are exposed, but you enter the forest after that; the majority of the rest of the hike is covered
- Trail Progression: Take the Chautauqua trail up, stay on Chautauqua (left) at Ski Jump, stay on Chautauqua at Bluebell Mesa (right/straight), take Flatiron Loop (left), and watch for the fork to 1st/2nd Flatiron (right). Stay on, and you'll end up right behind the first flatiron
Royal Arch:
Guess what’s at the top of this one? That’s right, an arch. Pretty damn good views of Boulder. Also a bitchen workout, but less than the 1st/2nd flatiron.Mesa Trail:
Once you get used to the elevation, this one’s fun to run. There’s an initial climb from the trailhead, but it evens out a bit and you meander through the foothills.Gregory Canyon
The Gregory Canyon trail is epic – really beautiful. There’s some good elevation, especially at first, and some rocky terrain, but not crazy. Take Gregory Canyon to Ranger to Long Canyon for a great view of the range.Mallory Cave
I haven’t done this one in a while, but memory is it’s a bit of a climb up. Also ends in a cave that you used to be able to climb into – but I think has been fenced over to afford the bats a little peace and quiet.Mesa Trail
You can also catch the mesa trail from the back of NCAR, and there are a number of loops you could do – south fork to north fork for example. If you’re badasses, make your way all the way to Bear Peak – another big workout. If you’re really badasses, keep going to South Boulder Peak – highest peak in this area, and you’ll see everything. You’ll definitely need some gear for this if you’re going to do it – recommend Camelbak and plenty of protein.Eldorado Canyon (South Mesa Trailhead)
The South Mesa Trailhead is a locals favorite as it's just outside of Boulder but still very easy to access. It's generally less congested than the Chautauqua area, but the parking lot still fills up easily on the weekends. To get to the S.Mesa parking lot head South on Broadway (Hwy 93) for about 2.6 miles past Table Mesa. Take a right onto Eldorado Springs Drive / HWY 170 (there will be a gas station at the corner on your right). Follow Eldorado Springs Drive for 1.8 miles towards Eldorado Canyon State Park and look for the parking area on the right hand side of the street. I have a habit of missing the S.Mesa parking lot and turning around at the Dowdy Draw parking lot which is on your left about 50 yards down the road.
S.Boulder Peak via Shadow Canyon
- Type: out and back
- Distance: 7 miles
- Elevation:
- Trailhead:5,646ft
- Summit: 8,468ft
- Total Climb:2,822ft
- Level of Effort: Friggen strenuous
- Duration: 3-5 hours
- Coverage:50% - you're pretty exposed until you get to the Shadow Canyon spur
- Trail Progression: take the mesa trail to your right from the trailhead; stay on Mesa until you reach Shadow Canyon South (stay left at each spur, but don't take the steps on your left towards Homestead/Towhee - you'll end up back in the parking lot); you'll walk under Devil's Thumb and ultimately come to a small house/shelter on your right; the trail continues across a little creek bed and you'll head left into Shadow Canyon where the real fun begins. Head up the canyon until you come to a T - head left to S.Boulder Peak.
Note the last 50 yards or so to the summit takes you over a boulder field. It's not as technical as it might look, just stay a bit to the left of the ridge if heights make you nervous. Small or young dogs will have a challenge with the boulders, especially near the top - my 1.5yr old lab prefers to hang about mid way up. But, once you make it to the top, you will be sitting on the highest peak along Boulder's front range and treated to one of the finest views you will find, including a great view of the Continental Divide.