Colorado has a lot of mountains, and sometimes you may want something a bit more relaxing than scaling the flatirons. That’s what Coot Lake is for. It’s a flat lake area that houses coots, mallards, and lots of other ducks. A lot of the lake actually acts as a wildlife preserve for wetland species, so expect to see a fair amount of ducks and birds. You may even see a Northern Harrier, which is the most threatened nesting bird species in Boulder County. It’s also a very popular gathering place for dog walkers and runners, who can be seen pacing the trails in the area. Trails from... 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

Mt. Sanitas has always been one of my favorite hiking areas. I grew up near the Goat Trail, which is an alternative path that some people use to access Sanitas, but I decided to use the more widely-used trailhead on Mapleton Avenue when I went to visit last week. Sanitas is a gorgeous mountain. It’s the crème de la crème. It has sprawling grassy fields and jagged mountain peaks- all in one place! On one path, you can choose to go along the easygoing field trail, which requires little to no effort. Alternatively, there is also the steep incline up to the top of Mt. Sanitas, which requires... Read More

The Mesa Trail is the kind of trail where you’ll want to keep your eyes open. It’s a trail where you’ll get incredible views of the Flatirons and a chance to see a lot of wildlife. Other than the dogs you will probably see on the trail (because the trail is dog-friendly), you’ll see falcons, songbirds, coyotes, deer, and red-tailed hawks. Black bears and mountain lions have also been spotted in this area as well, but it’s highly unlikely that you’ll encounter either of these ferocious beasts on your trip to the Mesa trail. The trail itself runs along the base... Read More

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

Throughout my life, hiking has always been something that both excites and terrifies me. Before I even had ability to walk, my parents would carry me in their backpacks along their hikes. As a very young child, I looked at the environment in wonder. I didn’t have the slightest idea what I was looking at, but the incredible color palette of the Boulder County trails kept me coming back for more. It kept me curious, and gave me an unshakeable feeling of wanderlust many years before I even knew what the word meant. As I grew, I gradually felt more comfortable in nature. My childhood curiosity... 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

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

You owe it to yourself to gaze upon the beautiful landscape around Boulder, and the best way to do that is to start exploring some trails. Marshall Mesa Loop Marshall Mesa Loop is a great hiking trail to start with. It’s an easy hike, only 3.3 miles, and it gives you a brilliant view of the Flatirons. This is the kind of trail that you would see on a postcard and say, “Wow, this looks like a pretty cool place, I would probably enjoy walking around there.” This is also a dog-friendly trail, so your four-legged companion can also join you on your outing here. The trail also has seen its fair... Read More

  M: “[Home is] where you feel like you should be at the moment… where you are exercising your gifts the most.” D: “Yeah, it is where you develop the most relationships that give you a sense of drive, where those relationships you form show you that they hold a lot of potential. Colorado definitely fits my idea of home.” -Debbie and Mille, Pearl Street    Read More

Jeff’s favorite smoothie is filled with every kind of berry he can find in his kitchen. His most recent smoothie included strawberries, bananas, blueberries, raspberries, kale, spinach, chia seeds, and peanut butter. As a recent transplant from Minnesota, this dude is passionate about getting out there and talking to everybody we meet on the trail…for at least 10 minutes. We chatted to this one guy who is hiking the TMB (Trail du Mont Blanc) next month and another guy who flies glider planes in Colombia. Jeff can be seen hiking or running at Chautauqua or even climbing up the flatirons.  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

Boulder is a city brimming with delectable creations and cuisine artists. You can’t throw a stone within the city limits without hitting a renowned or beloved place to eat. But not all of Boulder’s delicious delicacies require you to take to the city streets. Some of the best, most regarded food in town comes to you… Meet Chef Bob Sampson, a venerated chef with over 30 years of experience in the industry. He’s served as an executive chef at three different restaurants, and for seven years owned the Boulder restaurant World Fare. Throughout that time, Chef Bob has been... Read More

Living in Boulder has countless benefits. There is a coffee shop, trail run, or climbing gym on every corner, but most importantly, the Front Range is littered with boulders and sport crags. If you’ve only got an afternoon to spend climbing, there are a handful of spots within a fifteen-minute drive or short hike. The list here is certainly not exhaustive, but these three locations have some great rock and quality lines. Flagstaff Flagstaff is an epicenter for bouldering. Some love it, some hate it, but if you are looking for roadside boulders, this is the place to go. The rough granite at... Read More

While I love pulling up in a vehicle to a campsite and unloading right there, there’s something extra rewarding and enjoyable about backcountry camping where you have to park at a trailhead and hike your gear in. If you’ve never gone backpacking or camping in the backcountry, it can seem daunting, so we’ve made a handy guide for getting started! Pack Light While you may think you want that cozy blanket or two hardcover books to read now, once you’ve been carrying them for a few hours you’ll regret it. No matter how far you’re hiking, packing light is very important. Your pack should... Read More

Whether you are from out-of-town planning a trip to beautiful Boulder County, you have family and friends coming into town, or you are a native, protecting yourself from altitude sickness is a must! Here are five tips to avoid getting sick while enjoying Colorado’s beautiful outdoors. Get Acclimated. If you live at a lower altitude, it is best to avoid strenuous activity the first day or two after you arrive. Your body needs time to get used to the oxygen deficiency that comes with the higher altitude. Hydrate. Hydrate. Hydrate. Because of Colorado’s arid climate, you are more likely to get... 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

Sometimes, getting lost leads to finding your new favorite trail. Sometimes, getting lost even leads to finding two of your new favorite trails. That’s precisely what happened last weekend, when my roommate and I stumbled upon some beautiful trails at the end of Flagstaff road. The first area we stopped to see was the Walker Ranch area. It was a pretty dry, expansive fields were filled with the charred remains of trees. A fire had struck Walker Ranch back in 2000, and it’s fascinating to look at how nature has rebuilt itself, While the area looks bleak, it’s also quite... Read More

Almost every day, rain (or snow) or shine, Lydia takes her dog, Jack, to Chautauqua Park for some outside play time. Living only a short drive from the park, she has great access to all of the trails and wide open space that the park has to offer. Lydia grew up around Boulder area. She moved to Oregon for a few years for a previous job, but missed the Colorado mountains too much. But after those few quick years, she moved right back to the area, bought a quaint home in North Boulder where she now lives with her husband, her dog, Jack, and her cat. Lydia spends a lot of time outside hiking,... Read More

Gregory Canyon’s trailhead has seen better days. Currently, it’s actually in the process of seeing better days, because construction vehicles are finally beginning to rebuild the road that was destroyed in last year’s floods. I hadn’t been in the Gregory Canyon area since before Boulder’s big flooding incident, so this road was quite a shock to me, but it was merely foreshadowing what was yet to come on the trail. The Saddle Rock trail looks quite a bit different since the floods. The flooding paved a huge riverbed through the forest area, leaving behind all of... Read More