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

I’d expect lots of warm days in Boulder to come, but in the mountains, it is really starting to feel like fall. Once the aspen trees start to turn its a narrow window of time to see the mountains shrouded in gold.  There’s several places a quick drive from Boulder to go check out the leaves. Many people simply drive around and then turn back. But not you! Use this list to do some serious leaf peeping around Boulder. Hessie Trailhead, Eldora, CO  This trailhead into the Indian Peaks Wilderness is super popular on weekends. It is an easy hike to wander around up to a waterfall on... Read More

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

That’s right, the snow is finally mostly melted and even hiking novices can venture up those rocky monsters we can see miles and miles away from the Front Range. (Well, I guess you can’t see them from Boulder proper, but it’s cause we’re too close- which is all the better). Fourteener season can be super short. You never know how early that first massive snow storm is going to hit. The fourteeners are mostly all open all year, however sometimes the roads will be closed. Snow and ice are a constant for most of the year and require more gear (crampons, snowshoes, water proof... Read More

I love our parks. The open spaces in and around Boulder are part of what makes it such a special place. We live in a beautiful bubble; open forested foothills to our west, gradual open slopes to our north, and thriving farms and grasslands to our south and east. Many Boulderites know that the open space doesn’t just benefit the citizenry, but a huge array of life. In fact, Boulder County has the highest number of unique species of birds, plants, and mammals in Colorado. Unfortunately, this is all threatened by invasive species. One such weed is purple loosestrife, both pretty and evil. About... Read More

While the reservoir will remain open throughout construction, there will be some changes and areas that are temporarily closed. The attached graphic outlines the anticipated schedule and impacts. Denver Water strives to provide Boulder and Denver residents with the latest information on how recreational activities will be impacted during the planned expansion of Gross Reservoir this season and beyond.      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

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

  Throughout the ages as human society has developed our planet and conquered new frontiers, people brought with them all sorts of things.  Including other species. Anthropogenic development has allowed other species to inhabit places once not accessible to them by riding on the metaphorical coattails of humanity.  In fact white-nose syndrome, which continues to devastate bat populations across North America, arrived in North America on the actual bottom of someone’s shoe that the person had worn spelunking.  Invasive species can cause no major issue for their new environments but can... Read More

There are few things better than taking a walk through shades of yellow, orange, and red, nestled in your favorite old sweater and hearing the crunch of freshly fallen leaves underfoot. Ahh, it is fall once again. Time for pumpkin spiced hot beverages, football games, and of course leaf-peeping. Fall officially begins tomorrow, Tuesday, September 23, on the Autumnal Equinox.  The days are getting shorter, and if you’re so lucky as to not spend part of your morning commute driving, biking, riding the bus, or walking in the dark, then you might be able to figure it out by looking at the... Read More