TRAIL QUEST #1: Goal--to walk every trail in the city and county open space, 450 miles in one year.
Lessons learned: There is a season for every trail!
In winter, gravel-surfaced plains trails are at their best. Many of these same trails can be hot, dry, and unappealing in the summer, but become magical early on winter mornings, with hoar frost on leaves and fences and mist in the air. Boulder Valley Ranch, Rabbit Mountain, Lefthand Trails, Coalton Quadrangle, Wonderland Lake, Hogback, South Boulder Creek, Sanitas Valley, and Chapman Drive are some of my winter favorites.
Spring, after the snow melts, it's time to tackle the peaks of Boulder: Green Mountain, Bear Peak, and South Boulder Peak. It's also the perfect time for biking the long, east county trails: Coal Creek, Rock Creek, and the LOBO Trail. Once the mud dries, enjoy Hall Ranch, Heil Valley Ranch, Betasso Preserve, Dowdy Draw, Fowler Trail, Marshall Mesa, or Flatirons Vista. Check for trail closures due to mud or raptor nesting. Rejoice over seasonal wildflowers and returning birds.
In summer the Button Rock Trail between Button Rock Reservoir and Hall Ranch is lovely, with views to the high peaks. The Sunshine Canyon Trail is also refreshingly cool early in the day. Add on the Lion's Lair, up the west side of Mount Sanitas, gentle, with a smooth crushed granite surface. In summer, if despite the crowds, you decide to hike at Chautauqua, ease parking by taking the free shuttle that leaves from downtown Boulder.
Fall is great for all trails. They're generally dry and pleasant. I particularly love Gregory Canyon and Long Canyon at Chautauqua and Skunk Creek/Bear Creek in the NCAR area. Hiking to the top of Flagstaff might sound daunting but is surprisingly easy and takes only forty-five minutes each way from the first pull-out on Flagstaff Road. I came to appreciate the lesser-known trails: Anemone, View Point, Joder Ranch, Meyers Gulch, Carolyn Holmberg, and Pella Crossing. Several trails around lakes and reservoirs on the plains are excellent for migratory birdwatching.
Most of the Boulder City and County Open Space Trails are delightful, but a couple were off-putting, until we discovered that there is also a TIME of day for every trail.
The White Rock Trail, straight, long, and dry, is enchanting on a fall evening. We finally tackled it just after sunset in late October with a full moon rising, (see photo above). It took our breath away.
Legion Trail, just off Arapahoe Avenue with views of the Valmont power plant, won the prize for creepiest. We squeezed it in on a hot summer day, which was definitely the wrong time. The sweltering, isolated parking lot felt like a location for drug deals, and the short, narrow trail was overgrown with foxtails. Since then, I've read that the best time for this trail is winter, especially early or late in the day, when Valmont Reservoir becomes a bird paradise, providing open water in winter with the release of warm water from the power plant. We'll have to give it another chance.
Don't forget the short neighborhood trails, such as the Gale Trail and others. Check an Open Space map or the website for locations. We came across a spectacular apple tree one blustery autumn afternoon on one of these neighborhood connectors. Sombrero Marsh is a good spot for children, especially if the adjacent nature center, with its hands-on displays, is open. Caribou Ranch Open Space Park and Mud Lake, near Nederland, are also great for children. Afterwards, stop in the town of Nederland and visit the Wild Bear Nature Center next to the beautifully restored carousel.
While hiking, be aware of hazards: poison ivy, rattlesnakes, and bears. We encountered all of these on our quest. Keep your distance. Mountain lions live here, too, so don't let children run ahead, especially in wooded areas. For real. Take plenty of water and extra food. Be prepared for rapidly changing weather. Use sunscreen. Wear a hat. Enjoy!
TRAIL QUEST #2: 20XX miles in 20XX
When I first heard about this challenge, I thought it would be impossible! Then I thought a little more. Possibly I could do four or even five miles a day. I tried and I could! So why not 5.6, the daily average needed for the challenge? It took a little determination at first and about two hours per day. Before I knew it, I was loving my new routine and in the end, couldn't give it up. I've been walking over 2000 miles per year ever since!
Lessons learned: There is a season for every trail!
In winter, gravel-surfaced plains trails are at their best. Many of these same trails can be hot, dry, and unappealing in the summer, but become magical early on winter mornings, with hoar frost on leaves and fences and mist in the air. Boulder Valley Ranch, Rabbit Mountain, Lefthand Trails, Coalton Quadrangle, Wonderland Lake, Hogback, South Boulder Creek, Sanitas Valley, and Chapman Drive are some of my winter favorites.
Spring, after the snow melts, it's time to tackle the peaks of Boulder: Green Mountain, Bear Peak, and South Boulder Peak. It's also the perfect time for biking the long, east county trails: Coal Creek, Rock Creek, and the LOBO Trail. Once the mud dries, enjoy Hall Ranch, Heil Valley Ranch, Betasso Preserve, Dowdy Draw, Fowler Trail, Marshall Mesa, or Flatirons Vista. Check for trail closures due to mud or raptor nesting. Rejoice over seasonal wildflowers and returning birds.
In summer the Button Rock Trail between Button Rock Reservoir and Hall Ranch is lovely, with views to the high peaks. The Sunshine Canyon Trail is also refreshingly cool early in the day. Add on the Lion's Lair, up the west side of Mount Sanitas, gentle, with a smooth crushed granite surface. In summer, if despite the crowds, you decide to hike at Chautauqua, ease parking by taking the free shuttle that leaves from downtown Boulder.
Fall is great for all trails. They're generally dry and pleasant. I particularly love Gregory Canyon and Long Canyon at Chautauqua and Skunk Creek/Bear Creek in the NCAR area. Hiking to the top of Flagstaff might sound daunting but is surprisingly easy and takes only forty-five minutes each way from the first pull-out on Flagstaff Road. I came to appreciate the lesser-known trails: Anemone, View Point, Joder Ranch, Meyers Gulch, Carolyn Holmberg, and Pella Crossing. Several trails around lakes and reservoirs on the plains are excellent for migratory birdwatching.
Most of the Boulder City and County Open Space Trails are delightful, but a couple were off-putting, until we discovered that there is also a TIME of day for every trail.
The White Rock Trail, straight, long, and dry, is enchanting on a fall evening. We finally tackled it just after sunset in late October with a full moon rising, (see photo above). It took our breath away.
Legion Trail, just off Arapahoe Avenue with views of the Valmont power plant, won the prize for creepiest. We squeezed it in on a hot summer day, which was definitely the wrong time. The sweltering, isolated parking lot felt like a location for drug deals, and the short, narrow trail was overgrown with foxtails. Since then, I've read that the best time for this trail is winter, especially early or late in the day, when Valmont Reservoir becomes a bird paradise, providing open water in winter with the release of warm water from the power plant. We'll have to give it another chance.
Don't forget the short neighborhood trails, such as the Gale Trail and others. Check an Open Space map or the website for locations. We came across a spectacular apple tree one blustery autumn afternoon on one of these neighborhood connectors. Sombrero Marsh is a good spot for children, especially if the adjacent nature center, with its hands-on displays, is open. Caribou Ranch Open Space Park and Mud Lake, near Nederland, are also great for children. Afterwards, stop in the town of Nederland and visit the Wild Bear Nature Center next to the beautifully restored carousel.
While hiking, be aware of hazards: poison ivy, rattlesnakes, and bears. We encountered all of these on our quest. Keep your distance. Mountain lions live here, too, so don't let children run ahead, especially in wooded areas. For real. Take plenty of water and extra food. Be prepared for rapidly changing weather. Use sunscreen. Wear a hat. Enjoy!
TRAIL QUEST #2: 20XX miles in 20XX
When I first heard about this challenge, I thought it would be impossible! Then I thought a little more. Possibly I could do four or even five miles a day. I tried and I could! So why not 5.6, the daily average needed for the challenge? It took a little determination at first and about two hours per day. Before I knew it, I was loving my new routine and in the end, couldn't give it up. I've been walking over 2000 miles per year ever since!
