One of the most popular hiking trails in Boulder is Mount Sanitas, and like many hiking areas, Mount Sanitas gives hikers options for creating the perfect hike. It also, like many other local hiking trails is only a few minutes out of town, but gives one the illusion that he/she is out in the wilderness far away from city life. Because of the trail’s popularity, one will most likely encounter other hikers, making Sanitas a great option for those new to solo hiking. Here are some options when hiking Sanitas: The Loop – This is the most difficult of the options for it involves a steep ascent... Read More

Even if you’ve been around Boulder County just a little while, you probably have noticed a lot of places and businesses called Left Hand: Left Hand Brewery (a favorite of the writer’s), Left Hand Creek, Left Hand Canyon, etc. These places and the town, school, and mountain called Niwot are named in honor of the Arapahoe Native American, Chief Niwot; Niwot when translated means “left hand.” Chief Niwot and his people wintered in Boulder Valley and he welcomed those coming to Colorado for the Gold Rush, and he played a key role in attempting to keep the peace between the white settlers and... Read More

For those who have lived in the Boulder County area and have been hiking, Chautauqua Park is a well-known destination for weekend hiking or a morning workout. Chautauqua was bought by the Boulder citizens in 1898 to preserve and enjoy the land, and ever since it has been enjoyed by many. If you have just moved to Boulder or are planning a trip to Boulder, Chautauqua is a must for hikers. Though Chautauqua is a “must” for hikers, I would caution those who don’t go hiking often. Chautauqua is a steep climb and not for the faint of heart; though those who do choose to hike the Chautauqua trails... Read More

Ah the Grand Canyon. One of America’s best and most beautiful features. And lucky us Boulderites, it is only a 10 hour drive from here! If you leave at 6 am, you’ll be there in time to find the perfect spot to watch the sunset on the canyon. That’s what I did anyways, a couple weeks ago. And it was rough and also a bit colder there than here, but amazing. It’s a great time of year to go; the crowds are at their lowest according to the Visitor Center rangers. I was still amazed at how many people were there, almost as many as Chautauqua on a sunny, warm afternoon.  But it... Read More

You can find the Green Mountain West Trail up the winding roads of the Boulder County Open Space. This 2.7 mile out-and-back trail gains 627 feet and offers stunning mountain vistas and a vantage point of Boulder below. If the weather is good, get there early or late to find parking on the gravel side of the road. Our ratings: Crowd: 3.5/5. This is a moderately popular trail. Depending on the weather and time of day, you’ll be sharing this trail with a decent group of people. The hike itself typically isn’t very busy, but once you reach the summit you’ll be jockeying for space with most of... Read More

Just 3 miles south of the Entrance to the Great Sand Dunes National Park is an amazing waterfall that is not that well known and often only lightly trafficked. It is called Zapata Falls and while most tourists head there during the summer to escape the high temperatures at the great sand dunes, the real beauty is seeing this waterfall completely frozen.   There is no doubt that most visitors to the Great Sand Dunes see the sign for Zapata Falls on their way into the park, but the rocky entrance road and their (probable) itinerary of getting to the sand dunes likely wards off most visitors. Add... Read More

Boulder Open Spaces and Mountain Parks offers a sprawling 145 miles of trails to the avid hiker, and up to 90% of those trails are open to dogs. This includes the Chautauqua Meadow, Mt. Sanitas, NCAR trails, Bear Canyon, the Table Mesa Trails and much, much, more. But, before heading into the great outdoors with your pooch, don’t forget to bring a leash and some doggie bags. While the Open Spaces and Mountain Parks welcome dogs, it is your responsibility as a pet guardian to keep you companion safe and to clean up after him or her. The Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks host a delicate and... Read More

When you look out over the mountain peaks that make Colorado one of the most beautiful places to live in the country, you may see certain summits that tower over the others, snowcapped even late into the summer. Many of these are known as 14ers, and their height reaches over 14,000 feet above sea level. There are 58 of these massive peaks in Colorado, the most of any state in the country, and conquering them is a rite of passage for any outdoor enthusiast. But don’t think you can just hop on a trail and summit a 14er—these monsters take more preparation than you might think. Here’s a handy... Read More

If you don’t mind a bit of a drive out into the Indian Peaks Wilderness deep in Boulder County, there is a beautiful hidden gem of a trail waiting for you. Blue Lake and Little Blue Lake is a 6.3 mile out-and-back trail near Nederland, and offers one of the most rewarding hiking experiences in the area. Our Ratings: Crowd: 4/5. The Indian Peaks Wilderness area itself is very crowded, especially when it comes to parking. We ended up adding over a mile to our trek because we had to park so far away from the trailhead. But once you get on the trail, many hikers stop at the Little Blue Lake, which... Read More

The hike of the week, which I dubbed The Chautauqua-Gregory Canyon loop is one of the best long hikes for the experienced hiker to enjoy in solitude, or for friends to have private conversation and share a picnic. Around 4.5 miles, the loop is a low key hike with some downhill and uphill, as well as a couple creek crossings, and a ladder. Along most of the Gregory Canyon trail you will enjoy the soothing sound of the creek and green foliage, and as you loop back on Saddle Rock and E.M. Greenman you will see awe-inspiring views of the city below. When on Saddle Rock, prepare yourself for using the... Read More

Discover the 10 Best Hikes in Boulder Outstanding hiking trails await you in the city of Boulder, Colorado.  Featuring incredible scenery, Boulder’s tracks provide unforgettable challenges for novices and experts alike.   Before starting out on any hike, always make sure you are prepared for the elements. Well-fitting, broken-in hiking boots are essential – along with several layers of appropriate clothing and a hat. Make sure you take enough drinking water, snacks, emergency food supplies and a medical kit. Don’t forget that your skin can lose a lot of vital moisture during long hikes,... Read More

Being in nature no matter what, is an enjoyable experience for most people, but having the right items with you when you hike can make or break your outdoor experience. Here are the basic essential items every hiker should have with them. Water – Always bring more than enough water. The amount of water that you take will depend on the length of hike you plan to take and the amount of time it will take you to complete your hike. From personal experience, I would suggest a liter of water as the minimum of water to take, and would recommend for those who are serious hikers to invest in a backpack... Read More

October is upon us and change is in the air. It is officially fall in Colorful Colorado and once the aspens start to transform, we have a short window to get up to the mountains to experience the beauty of the season and see layers of aspens covered in shades of green, gold, orange and red. Here’s our list of Four Unforgettable Fall Foliage road trips you can make to check out the golden views and some of our favorite Colorado mountain towns, whether you only have time for a quick day trip, or you are lucky enough to enjoy a relaxing weekend getaway. The best times for viewing the changing leaves... Read More

When you hear people talk about Eldora here in Boulder County nearly everyone’s mind goes to the same place: Eldora Ski Resort. But have you ever been to the Historic town of Eldora just below the popular ski resort? Admittedly, there isn’t a whole lot to be found here as many of the town buildings are shuttered with a few newer cabins and homes scattered around the valley, but if you are up for a snowshoe adventure this is the spot for you. A one-time gold mining camp, Eldora is neatly tucked back into Roosevelt National Forest. It was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic... Read More

I love the outdoors. The purity and sanctity of nature is something many of us take for granted, and nothing is more disappointing than seeing trash on the bank of a mountain stream or finding plastic in the underbrush of a backcountry trail. Our planet is in danger, and it’s up to us to do our part and make a difference in protecting it so future generations can enjoy the beauty of untouched nature the way we have been able to. But how to even begin? The internet is flush with examples of people who live a zero-waste lifestyle, who started recycling companies at age 7, who invented tools to... Read More

Boulder residents are nothing if not adventurous, and with a slew of jagged peaks, soaring canyons, and other beautiful natural features just begging to be conquered, rock climbing is a popular pastime. We found five great places to get in a killer climb for those adventurous spirits. 1.  Eldorado Canyon Eldorado Canyon, a state park just south of Boulder, offers hundreds of routes up 700-foot cliffs. Climb along south-facing routes in the springtime, and beat the heat in the summer by finding shaded routes. This park can get crowded on weekends, so go early to get your climb on! 2. The Flatirons You’ve... Read More

Flagstaff is one of the those hikes that the locals know and is popular with tourists, so if you haven’t checked out Flagstaff, you must put it on the list as one of the trails to do before summer ends! Like many of Boulder’s hiking trails, Flagstaff offers a variety of options for hikers; unlike some of the other nearby trails, the summit can also be reached by road which I have heard is a popular date night spot for its incredible views of the city, the Continental Divide, Indian Peaks Wilderness, and Rocky Mountain National Park. Also, if you have the time, be sure to check out Flagstaff... Read More

As mentioned in previous posts, Colorado is a playground for all things outdoors, including water sports. In Boulder County you can not only find lakes for boating, waterskiing, wakeboarding, fishing, paddle-boarding, but also creeks for white-water rafting, and kayaking. With all these options there is also another, a local favorite: tubing in Boulder Creek. Prime times for tubing in Boulder Creek are April through August and one of the most popular places to start is Eben G. Fine Park located off of CO-119 and Arapahoe. The park itself is a great place to enjoy picnicking, a playground for kids... Read More

  It’s time to head out and explore the surrounding parks and trails around Boulder. One of Boulder’s best parks sits a few miles south of the town itself, and boasts beautiful scenery and rich history. Eldorado Canyon beacons as a mecca for local rock climbers. The state park is renown for its beautiful sandstone walls, pocked with thousands of rock climbing routes. Any serious climbers in Boulder should not pass up a chance to experience the world class routes in Eldorado Canyon. However, for the more causal adventurer, Eldorado Canyon offers miles of winding trails, easily accessible... Read More

As the weather gets warmer, the time is now to hit the trails and see some beautiful natural wonders. Lucky for you, there are plenty within an hour or two of Boulder that will make the trip totally worth it. 1. Eldorado Falls For a lovely hike close to home, head to Walker Ranch and the Ethel Harrod Trailhead. Take a nice moderate 1.25-mile hike down about 500 feet through pine forests until you hear the rushing water of the South Boulder Creek hitting the rocks. These cascades are beautiful year-round, and you can bring your pup to frolic in the water after a warm hike. 2. Maxwell Falls This... Read More