Water Safety As our Boulder weather warms up, many people are eager to hit the trails and enjoy the beauty of nature. However, spring hikes come with their own set of hazards, including sunburn, dehydration, and other risks. By taking some simple precautions, hikers can stay safe and make the most of their outdoor adventures. Protecting Your Skin from Sunburn One of the most common hazards hikers face during springtime is sunburn. The sun’s rays can be especially strong at higher altitudes and during long hours of outdoor activity. To protect your skin, it’s essential to apply sunscreen... 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

As the Boulder sun sets behind the front range, casting a reddish light over the Valley, even writers and photographers sometimes take a break.   Pics outdoors in the winter do bring memories of summer shooting! Again our great fortune as residents of the Boulder Valley is evident. Time to walk off the hill, recharge the camera batteries, copy pictures to hard drives and to get rested and ready for another glorious day in the best place on earth.  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

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

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

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

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

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