Summer days are long and ideal for exploring new places. While Boulder is home to 150 miles of trails and 45,000 acres of open space, this is the perfect time of year to leave the bubble and see what lies just beyond it.

Enter beautiful Button Rock Preserve. Located just seven miles west of Lyons, this protected watershed is managed and maintained by the City of Longmont. The preserve is comprised of pristine forest, meadow, and both the Longmont and Ralph Price Reservoirs, which provide water to the City of Longmont.

A lollipop-shaped trail allows visitors access to this peaceful sanctuary and all of its surprises. Hikers will enjoy the sights and sounds of North St. Vrain Creek, glimpses of majestic Mount Meeker and Longs Peak, the serenity of Ralph Price Reservoir, and the chance to observe the inner workings of a powerful dam.

Button Rock Preserve offers all this and more, in exchange for a scenic 45-minute drive from Boulder. Bonus: You’ll pass Oskar Blues Grill & Brew in Lyons on your way back to town. This is the perfect place for a post-hike lunch featuring some of Colorado’s best local beer.

Let’s leave the bubble and hike Button Rock Preserve.

Button Rock Preserve sustained severe damage in the September 2013 floods. The area has since undergone significant recovery and restoration efforts. After being closed for 643 days, Button Rock Preserve reopened to the public in June 2015.

Please observe the posted notices and DO NOT swim in the reservoirs. Ralph Price Reservoir is stocked and fishing is allowed with a license and permit.
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In recent years, the Boulder 5-Peak Traverse (also called the Skyline Traverse) has become increasingly popular as the ultimate backyard trail challenge. What was once an obscure hike or run known only to the hardcore crowd has since become a mainstream challenge for locals and visitors alike. And it’s no wonder why – the route is more challenging than many 14ers and yet it’s right in town.

While the 5-Peak Traverse’s newfound popularity is sure to last, it’s only natural that Boulderites would find a way to up-level this already epic hike. Enter the 7 Summits Challenge. You may be thinking, “7 summits?! There are only five main peaks in Boulder!” Of course, you are correct. Boulder’s five peaks are (north to south) Sanitas, Flagstaff, Green, Bear, and South Boulder. The 7 summits route consists of summiting all five peaks and then backtracking to hit Bear Peak and Green Mountain again before descending.

Why hike 7 summits in Boulder? Well, the name is a play on the “Seven Summits” to which many mountaineers aspire – summiting the highest peak on each continent around the globe. Boulder’s 7 summits are not quite that challenging (nor do they require airfare), but after bagging over 20 miles and 7,200 feet of elevation gain, you’ll feel like you’re on top of the world.

One of the best things about the 7 Summits Challenge (as opposed to the 5-Peak Traverse) is that you finish in lovely Chautauqua. The benefit here is amenities galore. Instead of descending to a trailhead with vault toilets (such as South Mesa), you descend to Chautauqua Trailhead where real bathrooms, an ice cream shop, and a full-service restaurant are waiting for you. At the bottom of the trail, simply walk a few more feet (you’ve made it this far – you can do it) to civilization and comfort. You’ll be sipping a celebratory beer in less than 10 minutes.

Read on for your guide to the newest Boulder mega hike, the 7 Summits Challenge.

Be sure to check with the City of Boulder’s Open Space & Mountain Parks for trail conditions, possible closures, and dog regulations.
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Spring has officially arrived in Boulder. As long time residents will tell you, that doesn’t necessarily mean the wintery weather is over. Spring brings a little bit of everything to Boulder: sunshine, rain, snow, and mud. (And sometimes that’s all in one day!) But even as the wacky weather keeps us guessing, the plants and animals in our open space are clearly on track.

Wildflowers like spring beauties are some of the first to pop up. Pasqueflowers, mahonia, and chiming bells are soon to follow. Seemingly overnight, bursts of color begin to decorate the trail’s edges. With plant life reawakening, our local animals become more active as well. Migrating birds are passing through or returning to their summer home. Hibernating mammals are reemerging and refueling.

Indeed, Boulder’s open space is teeming with spring activity and we’re fortunate to have over 145 miles of trails from which to observe this annual phenomenon.  Boulder’s peaks rise sharply from the plains and feature a multitude of canyons that allow for an incredible array of plant and animal life.

One of Boulder’s most beautiful but lesser known canyons is Skunk Canyon. Even though the canyon is easily accessed from both NCAR and Chautauqua, it maintains a refreshingly low profile and neighborhood vibe. The Skunk Canyon Trail, at 1.3 miles and 550 feet of elevation gain, is easy going and unassuming. It lacks any steep climbs or far-off mountain views. It’s often bypassed by hikers and runners on their way elsewhere. And that’s the beauty of it.

Predominantly used by locals from the surrounding neighborhood, Skunk Canyon is the perfect spot for a quiet spring hike. Plant and animal life is abundant and easy to observe. The all-level trail can be hiked on its own or connected with a variety of nearby trails. And while it lacks vistas beyond Boulder, Skunk Canyon features a breathtaking backdrop that includes the Flatirons, Bear Peak, and Devil’s Thumb.

Read on for all you need to know about your soon-to-be favorite spring hike, Skunk Canyon.

Please consult OSMP.org for trail conditions and temporary closures. The City of Boulder’s Open Space and Mountain Parks is currently embarking on multiple restoration projects that will impact several areas of the trail system in the coming months. Always check the interactive map (updated daily) before heading out.  

This area includes trails with seasonal dog regulations. For more info, visit Dogs on OSMP.  
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Flagstaff Mountain is Boulder’s 4^th highest peak at 7,283 feet and its summit offers incredible views of the Continental Divide, the Boulder range, and the plains. It’s also a fantastic spot for wildlife watching. Deer, wild turkey, raptors, bears, bobcats, and even mountain lions are regularly spotted here. Rocky outcrops provide opportunities for bouldering and the summit area is replete with perfect picnicking posts.

So why is Flagstaff the least popular mountain for hikers to tackle from bottom to top? There are two main reasons: (1) It’s the only peak in Boulder that features a road to the summit. (2) The true summit is an unmarked lump of dirt and rocks. This apparently deters many hikers, but their loss is your gain. Flagstaff’s supposed shortcomings actually make it a very appealing summit hike for those willing to adjust their expectations.

Find a friend on the way up to the summit.

Yes, there’s a road, and you’ll cross it 6 times on your way up. But when you’re on trail, you’ll see very few people until you reach the summit area. And while it’s difficult to escape the occasional sound of cars or chatty bikers, you’ll find beautiful pockets of solitude in between.

To make up for its unmarked summit, Flagstaff’s summit area offers multiple overlooks with vistas rivaling those on Boulder’s more popular peaks. In addition, the Flagstaff Trail provides multiple opportunities to connect with other parts of Boulder’s trail system.

The hike from street level to Flagstaff’s summit is not particularly popular with either locals or tourists, and that’s all the more reason for it to become popular with YOU. Read on for everything you need to know about this rewarding summit hike.

Please refer to OSMP.org for trail conditions and closures as well as dog regulations.
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Are you stuck in a hiker’s version of Groundhog Day, hitting up the same Boulder trails over and over and over again? If so, then it might be time to head to nearby Jefferson County and mix things up. Only 45 minutes from Boulder, Jefferson County Open Space is comprised of 54,000 acres of land and 230 miles of trails. When you’re itching to explore new terrain, JeffCo is the place to go.

Mount Galbraith Park, nestled between Golden Gate Canyon and Clear Creek Canyon, is one of Jefferson County’s many gems. It boasts 5 miles of “hiker-only” trails with moderate elevation gain on 945 acres of protected land. From these trails, enjoy sweeping views of North and South Table Mountains, Denver, and the Continental Divide. There’s also plenty to see right in the park, from the abundant wildlife to funky-looking trees and gravity-defying boulders.

If your hiking repertoire demands a change of scenery, Mount Galbraith Park is worth the trip. Read on for everything you need to know about exploring this Jefferson County Open Space property.
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Dream Lake on the hike to Emerald Lake – RMNP

Experienced Colorado hikers know this golden rule: It’s always better in winter. Colder? Yes. Tougher? Yes. Worth it? Oh yes. Winter is the “slow season” for fair weather hikers, which means it’s “go season” for the rest of us.

Nowhere is this truer than in Rocky Mountain National Park. The crowds of summer and fall disappear as winter descends and the park is transformed by snow. Even the most popular trails are suddenly quieter, calmer, and relatively empty.

The hike to Emerald Lake is probably the most popular hike in the entire park. In the warmer months, it’s overwhelmed by throngs of both tourists and locals. But in winter, parking is ample. The trail feels spacious. There is peace and quiet to be found. And now, more than ever, you can really appreciate the beauty of this classic alpine lake hike.

Note: Weather and trail conditions in Rocky Mountain National Park can be drastically different from those in Boulder. Be sure to check weather reports and current conditions for both roads and trails before heading out. 

To snowshoe or not to snowshoe? If the Bear Lake area received significant snowfall prior to your hike, snowshoes may be needed. If not, a good pair of boots and traction will usually suffice. The trail is well traveled and gets packed down quickly. The National Park Service maintains a very helpful page solely for Bear Lake conditions.  
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