Outdoor Recreation in Boulder, Colorado

Boulder’s own Alli F. on her 10th summit of Bear Peak

A New Year is approaching, Boulderites. For many, this signals the opportunity to make positive changes and set new goals. But traditional New Year’s resolutions are a bit old-fashioned and not particularly enjoyable. What if you did something different for 2018? What if you made some changes and set some goals that are actually fun? And badass? And very, very Boulder?

Our open space provides the perfect foundation for this. With 5 unique peaks and 150 miles of trails, Boulder is a playground with infinite possibilities. Just say no to boring resolutions. It’s time to challenge yourself, connect with others, and inject more fun into the New Year. Read on for the trail resolutions and goals that you’ll be eager to embark on in 2018.

As always, please consult the City of Boulder’s Open Space and Mountain Parks for trail conditions, temporary closures, and dog regulations.
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Boulder is home to more than 35 trailheads and 150 miles of trails. Even with millions of open space visitors per year, there’s no reason for anyone to battle crowds or get stuck doing the same old hike. Trailheads like Sanitas and Chautauqua are extremely popular with both locals and tourists, but experienced hikers know better. Neighborhood trails are where they’re headed – away from the crowds and closer to what makes Boulder’s open space so special.

What’s a neighborhood trail? It’s a trail that isn’t widely known beyond its immediate location. It’s tucked away from the busiest parts of the trail system and used predominantly by those who live within close proximity. Its name does not ring a bell for most. Even those who’ve hiked it may not know what it’s called or how to find it again. And in an ever-popular hiking destination like Boulder, neighborhood trails are where peace, quiet, connection to nature, and personal discovery may still be found.

Viewpoint Trail is the ultimate neighborhood trail on the ultimate neighborhood hill. Winding its way up the northern flank of Flagstaff Mountain, Viewpoint receives only a handful of hikers daily, but (as the name suggests) it provides some of the best views in Boulder. It can be hiked as a moderate out-and-back or it can be connected with Flagstaff Trail for a longer, more challenging hike. Read on for your guide to this neighborhood gem.

As always, please consult Boulder’s Open Space and Mountain Parks for trail conditions and temporary closures. Dogs are permitted on Viewpoint Trail. They must remain on leash unless they have a Voice and Sight tag. 
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It doesn’t take much for Coloradans to go into a complete and total fall frenzy. The daytime temps dip below 80, coffee shops add pumpkin spice to the menu, someone posts an Instagram photo of a single yellow leaf, and BAM… it’s on. Cue the onslaught of cars heading steadily toward Kenosha Pass and Rocky Mountain National Park.

But what if we told you it’s possible to enjoy fall without leaving Boulder? While there’s so much autumnal beauty to enjoy throughout the state, there’s actually plenty of it right here. Being a mere 5,430 feet above sea level, Boulder lacks the expansive aspen groves of the high country. It makes up for that, however, in historic neighborhoods lined with oaks and maples, creek beds brimming with cottonwoods, and trails bursting with flaming red sumac.

Anywhere in Boulder’s 45,000 acres of open space is a great place to observe the changing of seasons. And when it comes to fall, the southern part of the trail system is the crown jewel. South Boulder’s canyons and mesas play host to a variety of microclimates that enable an impressive diversity of plant life. In other words, fall foliage is slammin’ down in SoBo, and you can savor it all without ever leaving the bubble.

The Shanahan and Big Bluestem trails provide the opportunity for a “Choose Your Own Adventure” fall foliage hike. Nestled in the forest and meadow just east of Bear and South Boulder Peaks, this network of trails features minimal elevation gain and maximum scenery. Short on time or energy? Take a shorter 2-mile loop. Want to soak it all in? Take the full 5-mile loop. Read on for your guide to one of Boulder’s fall favorites.

As always, please consult the City of Boulder’s Open Space and Mountain Parks for trail conditions and temporary closures. As of September 2017, trail closures are in effect Monday through Friday for the region just south of Shanahan and Big Bluestem. This impacts lower Shadow Canyon, Homestead, Towhee, and the South Mesa Trailhead. Please note Upper and Lower Big Bluestem Trails are subject to leash regulations for dogs.
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Fall is in the air, Boulderites. The days are getting shorter, the nights are getting cooler, and swaths of autumn color are popping up in town and on the trails. In places like Indian Peaks and Rocky Mountain National Park, the aspen trees have already begun to turn gold. In a matter of weeks, Colorado’s high country will be blanketed in fresh snow once again.

If bagging high peaks is your thing, September is your last chance to grab them while the trails are still dry. It’s also the best time to enjoy them without the big summer crowds. Sure, you’ll need to pack a few more layers and keep an eye on the weather forecast, but experienced locals agree that September is the perfect time for big summits.

A little more than an hour from Boulder, James Peak is a 13er (13,294 feet, to be exact) that’s most easily accessed from the popular St. Mary’s Glacier Trailhead. If you attempt it on a nice Saturday in July, you’ll be fighting your way through throngs of sightseeing tourists, picnickers, and other day hikers. But if you save it for September, you’ll enjoy a much quieter day, gorgeous fall scenery, and one more chance to “get high” before micro-spikes and snowshoes are required.

The timing couldn’t be better and this classic 13er is only a short drive away, so let’s take a field trip to James Peak.

As with all 13ers and 14ers, you’ll need to observe the cardinal rules: (1) Start early to ensure you’re back below tree line by 1:00 pm (before afternoon thunderstorms roll in). (2) Pack the ten hiking essentials. (3) Pay attention to any signs of altitude sickness in you or your hiking partner(s). If you or anyone in your party becomes unwell, descend as quickly as possible.
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Boulder has no shortage of hikes featuring incredible destinations, geological curiosities, and breathtaking views. From sweeping summits to rambling rivers, our local trails can take you to some pretty spectacular spots. But few trailside attractions are quite as exhilarating as a glacier.

Colorado is home to 14 named glaciers and many are accessible from Boulder. Arapaho Glacier, located near the tiny town of Eldora, is the largest in the state. In the past, this mass of snow and ice provided Boulder County with much of its drinking water. Multiple well-trodden trails lead to the Arapaho Glacier overlook.

A few miles north of Arapaho Glacier, lies Isabelle Glacier. Though smaller than Arapaho, it’s still a sizeable glacier nestled in a cirque of pristine alpine peaks. Isabelle serves as the headwaters for a multitude of lakes, as well as the South Saint Vrain Creek. The trek to this glacier is a little bit trickier and the window for optimal conditions is a little bit smaller. As a result, Isabelle Glacier offers a more “off the beaten path” experience, and yet it’s still less than an hour from Boulder.

Isabelle Glacier is most easily accessed out of the bustling Brainard Lake Recreation Area. As experienced locals will tell you, there is nothing “off the beaten path” about this trailhead or the trails in its immediate vicinity. Throngs of summer visitors descend upon this region to enjoy more mellow hikes like Long Lake and Lake Isabelle. But beyond these popular spots, the crowds thin dramatically, along with the air, and you’ll have plenty of room to breathe.

The 8.8-mile round trip hike to Isabelle Glacier is strenuous but rife with rewards. Winter conditions linger in this area for much of the year. Brainard Lake Road is closed from mid-October to mid-June (exact dates vary from year-to-year). Interior access roads may be closed for even longer. Late July to early September is the best times of year to attempt this hike.

Before heading out, be sure to check for both trail and road conditions in Brainard Lake Recreation Area. Foot traction such as microspikes may be desired, even in summer months. Start your hike early and plan to be below tree line by 1:00 pm to avoid afternoon thunderstorms.

Get there

From Boulder, head west on CO-119 to Nederland. At the rotary, take CO-72 W toward Ward. Turn left (west) onto Brainard Lake Road. Continue to the entrance pay station. There’s an $11 fee to enter Brainard Lake Recreation Area.

From the pay station, follow signs to Long Lake Trailhead. (If Long Lake Trailhead is full, you can return the way you came and park at the larger lot by Brainard Lake. This adds about 1.2 miles to your hike.)

Hike it

From the trailhead, begin hiking west on the well-marked trail following the north shore of Long Lake.

You’ll pass through two junctions for the Jean Lunning Trail, which takes hikers to the other side of Long Lake. Remain on the trail heading toward Lake Isabelle. Keep your eyes open as moose are very active here.

At 1.8 miles, the trail begins to switchback and steepen. At 2.1 miles, you’ll reach the eastern end of Lake Isabelle.

For many hikers, this is the end of the line. For you, it’s a great place to rest, have a snack, take a few photos, and get ready for the hard part.

From here, the trail becomes more difficult to follow as it rises up through the glacial valley. Stay to the right and follow signage for Isabelle Glacier. At 2.6 miles, you’ll leave Lake Isabelle behind. From this point on, a few scattered cairns and good common sense will be your guide.

You’ll gain 3 distinct ridges or benches as you continue your ascent to the glacier. (On your way back, you can save some time and inject a little fun into your hike by glissading or butt sledding down them.) At 3.2 miles, the trail turns to the south while taking you through a marshy maze of trickling snowmelt, streams, and ponds. Don’t forget to turn around occasionally for breathtaking views of Lake Isabelle and Long Lake, now far below to the east.

At 3.75 miles, you’ll reach the edge of Isabelle’s tarn (a crystal blue lake at the bottom of the glacier).

It’s a dramatic and welcome sight after some stealthy route finding. The glacier is in front of you (along with Navajo, Apache, and Shoshoni Peaks) and you’re welcome to stop here, or continue the final 0.5-mile scramble to the very top. The unmarked but intuitive route hugs the north side of the tarn before leveling out and bending to the west.

Be mindful of this fragile landscape while you explore. The glacier itself is ever changing and unstable by nature, while the delicate tundra surrounding it is home to countless plant and animal life. Once you’ve had your fill of this special place, retrace your steps and return to the trailhead as you came. The hike to Isabelle Glacier is 8.75 miles round trip with about 1,500 feet of elevation gain.

And BOOM, you just hiked a glacier. Happy trails, Boulderites!

Photo credit: Alli Fronzaglia for YourBoulder.com — all rights reserved

Watching the sunset is one of life’s simple pleasures. It forces us to slow down, be in the moment, and connect with something greater than ourselves. Here in Boulder, we’re fortunate to have some of the most beautiful sunsets on the planet. When you combine mountain vistas and fast-moving weather, you get a breathtakingly colorful laser light show almost every evening.

No matter where you view it, a Boulder sunset is always worth watching. In a pinch, even the Whole Foods parking lot will suffice. But when seen from a spectacular summit or a tranquil trail with friends and family, it becomes a memory you’ll carry with you long after dark.

Boulder’s 45,000 acres of open space are brimming with prime sunset viewing locations. The ideal spots will give you some height, allow for unobstructed views to the west, and feature a comfortable place to sit for a while (maybe even spread out a picnic blanket). Whether this spot involves a short stroll or a challenging climb is up to you.

So let’s grab some takeout, a couple of friends, and hit the trails for a beautiful sunset. This guide has something for everyone in pursuit of the perfect sunset hike in Boulder.

As always, please refer to Boulder’s Open Space and Mountain Parks and Boulder County Parks and Trails for trail conditions, temporary closures, and dog regulations before heading out. Be sure to adhere to “Leave No Trace” and remember that campfires are prohibited. 
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The City of Boulder boasts five beautiful peaks. Each one offers unique challenges and gorgeous scenery. From the diminutive but tough Mount Sanitas (6,863 feet) to the towering, windswept summit of South Boulder Peak (8,549 feet), our hometown range has something for everyone.

Bear Peak is Boulder’s second tallest mountain at 8,461 feet, but its combination of beauty and brutality has made it an ever-popular challenge among locals.

Don’t be fooled by its scenic vistas, wildflower-dotted hillsides, or seemingly Disney-inspired forest critters, because this Bear is a real beast. With routes ranging from 4.7 miles to 9 miles, Bear Peak’s strenuous trails beckon to Boulderites looking to test themselves without leaving home.

And it gets better. Come to Bear Peak for the physical challenge and the incredible views, but stay for some of the best people watching in Colorado. On a busy Saturday morning, world-class ultrarunners and mountaineers mingle with beginner hikers and weekend warriors. Given Bear’s vast appeal, you’ll share the summit with first timers and record holders alike. So don’t be stingy with those high fives, because you never know who you’ll bump into up there. This is your guide to tackling the baddest and the boldest of Boulder summits.

As always, check www.osmp.org for temporary closures and trail conditions. Planning to bring Fido? Please review OSMP’s dog regulations.  

All approaches detailed below have 2,800 – 3,000 feet of elevation gain except where noted.  

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