Bear Canyon, in south west Boulder begins at a trailhead nestled in a neighborhood. Bear Canyon Trailhead is grouped together with the NCAR trailhead and a couple other access points.  The hike begins with several different wide trails that area residents like to run, take their young children to, or walk their dog as there is not too much of a grade and no difficult obstacles. The views include rolling grassy and shrub covered hills, the Flatirons, and a lush riparian corridor. Bear Canyon trail follows the Bear Canyon Creek and intersects with the Mesa Trail and then ends at the junction of... Read More

Mud Lake is a beautiful natural area located just outside of Boulder, Colorado. The lake is surrounded by towering trees and rolling hills, making it a picturesque destination for outdoor enthusiasts. There are several reasons why Mud Lake is a great place to visit. Firstly, Mud Lake offers a variety of recreational activities. Visitors can hike along the many trails that wind through the surrounding forests, or fish in the lake’s cool waters. The lake is also a popular spot for picnics, with several picnic areas available for visitors to use. In addition to its recreational offerings, Mud... 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

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

You are a devout outdoorsman or outdoorswoman and nothing less than apocalyptic plague of locust would stop you from racing up mountains, rambling through rivers, or taking Zibeon, your falcon, out for a jaunt. A great place to start is   at the Hessie Trailhead, which leads into the Indian Peaks Wilderness, no matter your level of outdoorsy-ness. I list several hike options below ranging from easy to difficult. Easy Hikes First Waterfalls on Middle Boulder Creek: A very short hike from the actual trailhead, and just over 0.6 mile from parking along the easy access road, you can access the... Read More

There is something about a hike through snow covered trees that leaves you with a sense of calm. The snow absorbs all sound and animals are quiet, snuggled away in their hollows. You can only hear the crunch of snow underfoot and all feels still. Snow really is like a blanket, covering up the world to let it rest. Since the snow melts so quickly here, it is a special experience to stroll snowy paths around Boulder.  Even magical, some might say. For Boulderites, Chautauqua is a special place year around that many visit often, for some even daily. I find the park extra majestic with its frosting;... Read More

  Rabbit Mountain is large wide-open park just north of Longmont and south of Lyons off of Hwy 66. The park boasts a total trail miles of 6.1 and is open to hikers, leashed dogs, equestrians, and bicyclists. I recommend heading for the Eagle Wind Loop Trail, 2.5 mile loop. After you head up the trail from the parking lot, you’ll reach the service road and then begin the Eagle Wind trail. It is not a super steep incline at any point but there is an incline. The trail winds through open meadow to mountain brush and ponderosa pines giving multiple views to the western mountains and then... 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

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

Despite winter approaching, there will still be many beautiful days for hiking. While you may not be ready for a winter Fourteener, I think you can definitely summit some of these super close beautiful mountains with amazing views. Just be sure to bring your crampons! Although some of these trails at the right time you may not need the crampons. My list gets progressively harder, so start at the top and climb your way up to the tops of those mountains first. 1. Bald Mountain, 1.5 miles one way: From Boulder, head west on Mapleton and on up about 7 miles on Sunshine Canyon. The small Boulder County... Read More

Settler’s Park is a pretty area with an array of short trails. With red rocks, springing up from the same formation that caused the well known music doused Red Rocks in Morrison, CO- the Fountain Formation- Settler’s park is alive with geology, ecology, and history. As City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks says on their website: “Settlers’ Park got its name because it was thought to be the location of the first permanent camp of American settlers in the Boulder area.” That was back in 1858, when the area was still just being explored. You can find more information... 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

  If you have time before work or maybe on the weekend this season you might choose to take a stroll, run, or ride on the Old Kiln trail in Boulder. These pictures were taken this past weekend, in pre-snow conditions.   Fourmile Creek Trailhead, managed by City of Boulder OSMP, is located in North Boulder on Lee Hill Dr near Broadway. Other than the Old Kiln trail, the trailhead supports the Foothills trail and is very close to Wonderland Lake. There are few trees among the tall amber waves of grain and grasses that cover the hill sides, making this a warm hike on a sunny but frozen... 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