A Short Cold Weather Hike in Boulder

View of Old Kiln Trail from the Fourmile Creek trailhead, Boulder

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 day. The Old Kiln Trail is 0.4 mile from the parking lot to the loop, which is a total of 0.9 miles. You can then follow the westerly out and back path of the Old Kiln trail for 0.4 miles. All together the round trip total is about 2.5 miles.

Flood Damage on Old Kiln Trail

Hiking, biking, and dog walking are popular on this trail. There was a fair amount of flood damage to the park and some parts of this trail look a lot different now; however the trail still runs partially along Fourmile Creek and the whole trail is walk-able.  The trail has minimal changes in elevation but is not completely level; it could be considered an easy to medium level trail, mostly due to the post flood situation of the trail.

You’re likely to see wildlife like mule deer and raptors in the winter here. Be aware that on sunny warm days it is possible to see rattlesnakes.