Looking to earn some points with your main squeeze for thoughtfulness and originality? Take your valentine on a hike this long weekend and make it special with these trips and tips. Snowshoeing Hikes 1. Hessie Trailhead: From the Hessie trailhead you can walk a short ways in to a waterfall or make it a 3 mile round trip to Lost Lake. Snowshoeing can be very tiring compared to regular hiking or walking, so be very considerate of your Sweetheart’s energy levels. However it is a great way to see nature during the winter season. 2. Rocky Mountain National Park: The park might be a popular stop... Read More

“The most wonderful time of year” right? Shopping malls, crowded parking lots, traffic, long lines, people who have seem to forgotten the joy of the season.  I love this time of year but sometimes Christmas gets too commercial, too much about spending money. Every magazine, blog, and “community” news piece is centered around listing the perfect gift ideas for the countless people in your life. Wouldn’t it be better to actually spend some time doing something with those people? We all have so much stuff. It weighs us down. Why not make a memory rather than make them... Read More

Well with Wednesday’s snow, Colorado sure is feeling the winter magic now. Around Boulder grocery clerks and friendly folks keep saying “stay warm.” Toes across the Front Range shiver in wool socks and boots. And leaves? They are pretty much all gone. But this all means that ski and snowboard season is upon us! Several resorts are already open and the others will be opening very soon. Here’s where you can check out the powder this weekend. Check out the links to the resorts’ websites for more information about specific lifts and runs. Open Now Arapahoe Basin–... Read More

This rain is kind of a bummer. Well honestly for all of us east coast transplants its a bit of nostalgia filled relief from the glaring sun. I like these cold rainy days even if they keep us from the sunshiney adventures were accustomed to – but of course I can only take it for a few days. So what do we do in Boulder on a rainy day? I mean all the amazing breweries are still open despite the rain (and the distilleries, the meadery, and all those bars) so there’s always that. However, I propose doing those things you “save for a rainy day” to prepare for your winter adventures.... Read More

The beginning of this week it felt like fall. Chilly. The weather has been lovely today and yesterday and it looks like that will continue for the weekend. Yay!! So lets have some fun outside before another rainy wet and cold spell hits. I’ve got a couple ideas for the weekend, although honestly my top choice is taking an afternoon nap under a tree after a long work week. Take a Fall Hike: Head to Ned, or the mountains, or now really any park you wish. The weather is perfect and all across Boulder the trees have at least some leaves turned golden. Remember layers and of course hello it’s... Read More

Well it sure is hot outside. And this weekend will be no exception. So lather up in sunscreen, fill your Nalgene, and strap on those Tevas. You could always head out for a hike or a bike ride, or just hang creekside at Boulder Creek. In  Boulder in summer the options are endless! But here are some ideas for this weekend. Check out West Magnolia Trailhead in Nederland The flowers around Ned are seriously beautiful this time of year and this National Forest land is an easy access point to the mountains.  This site even has camping as well and all trails permit non-motorized recreation (and some... Read More

Yup, that’s right its Father’s Day this Sunday, May 21. (That’s also the first official day of summer!) Instead of another fancy tie or shave kit, give Dad some time together on a hike. The hikes listed below are my top Father’s day hikes around Boulder, which means they have mild grades, wider trails, and great trailhead facilities like bathrooms, picnic areas, and ample parking which makes things easier for a family. 1. Betasso preserve Betasso is a boulder favorite for mountain biking, dog walking, and of course family day hikes.  A short drive up the canyon, Betasso... Read More

Well it’s finally summer in Boulder! Time to put away the skis (well you have until A Basin closes), hit the farmer’s market, lounge by the Rez, and dine alfresco. Honestly there is no shortage of things to do in Boulder in the summer. (I’m personally very excited to be using my Boulder Passport for 2 for 1 tasty beverages around town). Without a doubt you gotta be outdoors for summer in Boulder; unless its a thunderstorm when you are given the excuse to get comfy indoors. Here’s some ways to spend this weekend outside: 1. Take a hike! Scan through City of Boulder Open Space... Read More

So I’ll admit it, I am a plant nerd. Plants are neat! For those of you who also wonder about the little spots of yellow popping up across Chautauqua meadow and elsewhere I’ve got a few wildflowers you can see around Boulder now. Tulips and daffodils on Pearl Street Mall don’t count!   Golden Banner (Thermopsis spp.) Golden banner is like the welcome banner of summer. This legume is scattered in large patches across the foothills and some in the plains.   Sand Lily (Leucocrinum montanum) This pretty lily is all over the foothills spread out like little white stars in... Read More

Two words: TRAIL CREW. Or you could call it youth corps, trail corps, sustainability corps, etc. Whatever you call it, it is awesome and life changing. If you are a young person who has a summer break between college years or you’re simply between the ages of 18-25 and love the outdoors in some aspect (enjoying camping is a must), then you should try a trail crew out for a few months. You may already have a ton of backpacking and outdoor skill experience and in that case, why not get paid for what you love? And if you don’t have the experience but do have any interest in challenging... Read More

It’s officially spring! Even if it snowed yesterday (and will likely snow a few more times before summer), it is spring and the weather in Boulder has been mostly beautiful. We’ve also had some pretty great weather for kite flying. With the breezy spring air and access to many wide-open open spaces, Boulder is a great place to fly a kite. Non-motorized or passive recreation is allowed at most open spaces in the area.   I flew kites this past weekend at the Greenbelt Plateau area. While this City of Boulder trailhead is a fee area, there is a second access point to the trail further... Read More

Entertainment is rarely completely free these days, as the performers on Pearl Street frequently remind passerby during their shows. Hanging out in your locals parks is of course free, but unless you’ve taken the initiative to bring a bunch of books to study and are yourself already a skilled observer, you might not learn anything new. Fortunately many park departments in the area are happy to provide you with experts and educators to lead you through the outdoors. There are free nature programs for everyone, and most parks departments host programs throughout the year to suit different interests... Read More

Wow. It is snowing. And has been snowing. And will continue to snow. I know there are the Boulderites with their intense training schedules who will brave the cold and snow to run up mountains or brave the disastrous, car wreck inducing ski resort traffic on I-70 to freeze their buns off on the slopes; there is still plenty to do indoors for the outdoors enthusiast on the rare weekend that Boulder doesn’t have pleasant weather. Here are some of my options this weekend.   Planning Trips as well as many outdoor activities take planning. Even if you are the most experienced backpacker,... Read More

Walden Ponds Park, owned and managed by Boulder County, is a small gem nestled into Gunbarrel, on the outskirts of Boulder. The park hosts anglers, bird-watchers, walkers, runners, and many a nature program. While the park sustained some flood damage, the majority of the trails are open as well as the fishing areas. The park is popular throughout the year for bird watching, with many migratory birds stopping over, such as white pelicans. The park is much quieter than some other parks on the plains around Boulder, which is especially true in winter, making it a great place to take a break from daily... Read More

It’s clear around Boulder that the holidays are in full swing. Just look toward that giant lighted star in the foothills and you know its time to do something festive. So here’s a list of many festive things going on right here in Boulder County. Boulder Christmas with the King Singers, Mackey Auditorium on Thursday December 11, 7:30 p.m. A Broadway Christmas Carol, University Theater CU starting on Friday December 12, at 7:30 p.m. and reoccurring on December 13th, 19th, 20th, 21st “If Charles Dickens had huddled with Rodgers and Hammerstein, Andrew Lloyd Webber, and Matt Stone... Read More

As you’re getting ready for Turkey day, preparations for Christmas are already in full swing. It seems like everyone starts getting ready earlier and earlier each year. But can you blame them, Christmas and all the festivities it brings are a lot of fun! So here’s a couple of events coming up in Boulder County to get you in the Christmas spirit. Boulder –Switch on the Holidays, November 23, Sunday 5pm, Downtown Boulder Join Santa and the City of Boulder for a free holiday music performance and the lighting of the Boulder County Courthouse –Winter Sidewalk Sale, Friday... Read More

Located just past the summit of Flagstaff Mountain, a short scenic drive from downtown Boulder, this large Boulder County Open Space park sports over 10 miles of trails as well as fantastic natural and cultural history. Check out Walker Ranch on BoulderCounty.org The Walker Ranch Loop is a 7.8 mile loop that meets South Boulder Creek multiple times and takes you through diverse terrain of a foothills ecosystem.  From singletrack sections through thick pine trees to sprawling meadows complete with views from all directions, this trail will take you on quite a journey. The best part about this... Read More

Its that spooky time of year again and if you’re looking for ghouls, ghosts, and goblins, look no further than your local parks! This upcoming weekend and Halloween weekend are sure to be filled with festivals and fun activities in and around the parks and public areas in Boulder county. Here’s my list of where to check out the frightful and fun fests: Boulder Halloween Carnival Oct 24 3-5pm at South Boulder Recreation Center This indoor family fun carnival has lots of activities for the little ones! Halloween Havoc Skateboard Contest Saturday Oct 25 10am-4pm Scott Carpenter... Read More

Even though it’s raining today, there’s still plenty of time to go play in the parks before winter hits! October offers all sorts of different activities and events in the parks of Boulder county. If you’re not sure how to get started, this weekend is the perfect opportunity to check out this assortment of events: Friday Oct 10 –Day of the Dead Opening, Longmont This is Longmont’s regular 2nd Friday downtown event but with a Day of the Dead twist, featuring storytelling under the stars, trolley rides, Day of the Dead art at the Muse Gallery, and a tour of the Longmont... Read More

< If you have gotten out to some of the foothills and montane parks around the county lately and sat for a quiet moment amid your mountain bike race down the mountain or perhaps your run up the hill, then you may have heard a strange whistling kind of noise. It is not the sound of elves frolicking, it is actually a love song. The bull elk is calling out, just like a love struck teenager, for some companionship from a cow elk.  The call is a bugle and can be heard now during elk rut.  The only herd of elk that lives out their entire lives inside the borders of Boulder County calls Heil Valley... Read More