Doudy Draw to Springbrook Loop

Distance: 5 miles round trip
Elevation: 5,670 ft - 6,246 ft
Elevation Gain: 576 ft
Dogs: Doudy Draw (Voice & Sight), northern Springbrook (on leash), southern Springbrook (not allowed)
Bathroom at the Trailhead: Yes
Date Hiked: 3 May 2014
Tags: #Boulder, #osmp, #hiking

The Flatirons viewed from the Doudy Draw Trail

South of Boulder near Eldorado Canyon State Park are a series of open space trails that wander serenely through the hills west of Highway 93. In spring, the grassy knolls and Ponderosa Pine covered mesas are filled with Meadowlarks, Mule Deer, and giddy Boulderites competing to get one of the few parking spaces at the trailheads.

Starting out on the Doudy Draw Trail. The first half mile is graded dirt.

Looking down into the drainage

On this trip we started at the Doudy Draw Trailhead on Eldorado Springs Drive (Highway 170), hiked up Doudy Draw to the Springbrook Loop, and followed that loop on the north side (dogs are not allowed on the south side) until the intersection with the Goshawk Trail for an out and back outing. Folks with no dogs can do the entire loop.

Crossing the Community Ditch irrigation canal

Turning onto the Springbrook Loop

The further you head up this route the more isolated the feel. Highway 93 drops away, the hillsides close in, and nothing is left but clouds and blue skies. That is of course until you look up to see an on rushing horde of mountain bikers and trail runners jostling for first dibs on knocking you flat. The runners in particular seemed to travel in packs of seven or eight. We Coloradoans are a fit bunch and the Bolder Boulder is at the end of May so I get it, I really do.

The landslide in the distance was caused by the 2013 flood.

Ah the green grasses of spring!

On this trip, the incredible force of the 2013 flood was in evidence. Lower down the drainage was a gaping scare of dirt and river rock with downed trees still slammed against obstacles. Further up whole hillsides had slipped away leaving wounds just waiting for this years storms to make them fester and ooze.

Looking north

On top of the mesa looking towards Eldorado Canyon State Park

The views of the Flatirons and in particular Shadow Canyon below Bear Peak are particularly nice on this trail. There are hidden meadows and exposed cliffs that one can't see anywhere else. One a clear day the Eastern Plains stretch away into eternity.

A good portion of the Springbrook trail is in the trees.

The bridge that starts the Goshawk Trail. Following the road would lead to the Fowler Trail.

The first half mile of the route is on an accessible gravel path to a picnic area and bathroom. At 1.2 miles is the turn off for the Springbrook Loop. If you stayed on the Doudy Draw Trail, you would eventually climb up to the top of Flatirons Vista. At 2.5 miles the route reaches a broad dirt road and water diversion ditch. A bridge spans the ditch and marks the start of the Goshawk Trail. Since this trail does not allow dogs, we turned around and retraced our steps.

Looking up the backside of Shadow Canyon. Bear Peak is on the far right and South Boulder Peak is the next peak to the left.

Boulderites aren't the only ones swarming over the trail.

Once again, I have to applaud Boulder and Boulder County for the effort they have made in preserving open space.  The trails south of Boulder are some of my favorites. If you can though go mid-week or after work. You'll have a better chance of getting a coveted parking spot and will blessed with solitude and the hush that comes as the sun slides inevitably behind the Flatirons.

Marshall Mesa

Distance: 3 miles round trip
Elevation: 5,520 ft to 5,740 ft
Elevation Gain: 220 ft
Dogs: Off leash with Voice and Sight tag
Bathroom at the trailhead: Yes
Fees: Parking fee for non-Boulder County residents
Tags: #Boulder, #Coloradooutoors, #hiking, #dogfriendly

From Marshall Mesa, you can almost see forever

The Marshall Mesa open space just south of Boulder is one of my favorite areas. The views of the Flatirons are gorgeous and the diverse landscape is appealing in both fall and summer. Marshall Mesa itself is a broad slopping plateau filled with grasses, Cottonwood Trees, and shrubs. The Community Ditch cuts through it and in spring this ditch is filled with flowing water, perfect for fido to cool off in.

Looking east from the parking lot. The Marshall Valley trail crosses the open meadow but will eventually ascend up above the trees.

Standing on one of the ancient sandstone formations that form part of the area. Millions of years ago, this area was a beach. You can still see the waves embedded in the sands. It is a 10 foot drop off on the other side of the tree.

For hikers, the open space contains a pleasing loop that travels over the remains of a fossilized beach then up to a road with expansive views of the surrounding area including the full north-south extent of the Flatirons. Do this hike in the spring and your eye will be dazzled by how many variations of green exist in the world.

Heading across the formation to the open meadow beyond

I was hoping for gorgeous fall color on this trip, but the unseasonable freeze the week before turned all the leave brown. In spring, this meadow and the Cottonwoods that dominate it, is very pretty indeed.

There are two loops main loops in this Open Space with the option of extending your route through several spur trails, some of which connect to the trails on the west side of Hwy 93.  The route described in this post is a loop that travels eastward on the 0.8 mile Marshall Valley Trail, then 1.7 along the Community Ditch Trail, and then finally 0.5 miles down the Coal Seam Valley Trail back to the parking lot.

Map of the area

Go straight up the hill on the other side of the bridge and you can cut the route by a mile. Go left for a loop that is 3 miles long.

Looking east towards Kansas. Here the trail begins to climb upwards.

When the trail reaches it maximum elevation (~200 ft elevation gain), a spur trail heads off to the left. This is a dead end trail and dogs must be on a leash. The main trail heads to the right. Straight ahead, as you see in this picture is a lake. It is private.

A small vestige of fall color in some shrubs along the Community Ditch Trail. In spring the ditch would be filled with lazily flowing water.

The Flatirons from the Community Ditch Trail

Marshall Mesa is great for an afterwork hike, Sunday stroll, trail runs, or doggie walk. Even in January there is something to see and the stark landscape retains its charm under the deep blue skies of winter. The area is popular with mountain bikers too, who struggle up the rocky slopes for a chance to race along the flat Community Ditch Trail.

A sandstone bluff near the end of the loop. The Community Ditch Trail continues west across highway 93. That is a pleasant walk in and of itself.

Heading back down the Coal Seam Trail back to the parking lot

Like most trails near Boulder, parking is limited, but right across the road from the trailhead is a dirt lot that can be used as overflow or for non-residents who don't want to pay a parking fee.

High Plains Vista

Distance: 5 miles round trip
Elevation: 5,900 ft - 6,100 ft
Elevation Gain: 224 ft (net), 498 ft (cumulative)
Dogs: Leash only
Bathroom at Trailhead: No
Fees: Parking fee for non-Boulder County residents
Tags: #Boulder, #hiking, #prairie

"Amber waves of grain" is the view du jour on the High Plains Vista Trail south of Boulder, CO. 

There are some days when a walk across the prairie is just what the doctor ordered. In early spring the prairie is verdant green and the sun is ambrosia to our half-thawed bodies. In fall, the brown grasses wave majestically in the wind and the cloudless blue sky brings out the pioneer in all of us. Rooted, stoic, wind-blown as hell.

Crossing the stream

The High Plains Vista Trail south of Boulder is one such prairie walk. It starts at the Greenbelt Plateau Trailhead off of Hwy 128. The route parallels Hwy 128 but weaves in and out of valleys in such a way that the road rarely seems to intrude.

Example of the narrow, dirt trail

Instead, the route crosses at least one wet drainage filled with croaking frogs, climbs several hills with views of an endless carpet of grass, and wanders by several Prairie Dog colonies. On such a stroll, you can't help but hum "America the Beautiful" or channel Willa Cather. On a recent trip I could have swore I heard the refrain to George Winston's Country. Rooted, stoic.

The views seem to go on and on. 

There are only thing that can destroy this pastoral tableau, mud! The High Plains Vista Trail turns into wallow suitable only for water buffalo after a days rain. Check the Boulder OSMP website for trail closure information before you make the trip.

Closeup of the grasses

Technically, the High Plains Vista Trail ends at a nondescript dirt parking area several miles up Hwy 128 at a elevation of 6,000 ft. For a longer outing, consider continuing along the 3-mile Colton Trail.

Looking west towards the Flatirons on the way back. That is the trailhead in the distance. 

Green Mountain (via Saddlerock and Gregory Canyon)

Distance: 5.8 miles round trip
Elevation: 5,932 ft - 8,116 ft
Elevation Gain: 2,184 ft gain (cum)
Bathroom at Trailhead: Yes
Dogs: Various leash laws apply
Date Hiked: 18 October 2015
Tags: #Boulder, #peak, #OSMP

View to the north on the way to the Summit of Green Mountain near Boulder,  CO

Green Mountain is one the high peaks overlooking Boulder, CO. There are numerous routes to ascend to this lofty prominence each varying in difficulty. This post describes a clockwise loop hike ascending up the Amphitheater Trail to the Saddle Rock Trail, turning onto the E.M. Greenman Trail to the summit and then descending via the back side of the E.M. Greenman Trail to the Ranger Trail and finally down the Gregory Canyon Trail (see map).

Trail map of the area

This loop is not for those with weak knees or hips. Both the Amphitheater and the Saddle Rock trails have serious step ups that will cause you to grunt and gasp. Even long-legged folks will feel the burn. Additionally, after the 2013 floods a ladder has been installed at one location on the Saddle Rock Trail. While is quite sturdy, it is not for everyone.

The start of the Amphitheater Trail

Saddle Rock, which gives the trail its name is a great spot to overlook Boulder. 

The start of this hike is located at the Gregory Canyon trailhead where Baseline Road turns up Flagstaff Mountain. Be advised that parking is limited and non-locals will need to pay a $5 parking fee or display a mountain parks pass.

Looking down on Boulder

The ladder

The start of the route begins on the south side of the parking lot away from the bathrooms on the Amphitheater Trail. This trail, named for a local climbing area, is narrow and scenic with huge rock formations and over grown shrubs on either side. It travels 540 ft in just 0.5 miles and so is sure to get your heart pumping. The trail dead ends into the Saddle Rock Trail coming up from the Gregory Canyon Trail (starts near the bathroom in the same parking lot).

One of the scramble areas on the Saddle Rock Trail

The Saddle Rock Trail continues for another 0.8 miles and additional 860 ft (1,400 ft total) until it ends in turn at the E.M. Greenman Trail. That is 1,400 ft in 1.3 miles. There are several places enroute that require some simple rock scrambling while others are a pleasant stroll in the forest. The Greenman trail continues unrelentingly for an additional 1.1 miles and 784 ft of elevation gain until it reaches the summit of Green Mountain at 8,116 ft. That is 2,111 ft elevation gain in 2.2 miles. Strenuous by most people's standards.

A flatter segment

The summit is close now

On the summit there are a series of rocks over looking Boulder, CO and a large boulder you can climb for views of the Indian Peaks Wilderness. This rock contains a brick pillar with a small map of the distant peaks.

The summit cone

Looking west from the summit

Heading down the back side, it is 2.8 miles of total distance to the junction of the West Ridge Trail and the Ranger Trail. The latter trail travels 0.9 miles until it joins the E.M. Greenman trail again. After this junction, the Ranger Trail continues straight down a tree lined alley until it reaches the Green Mountain Lodge built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 30s.

At this point, the route travels along a newly reconstructed segment that replaced the trail wiped out in the 2013 floods. This new segment is higher up the hillside and travels much further west than the old route.

Heading down the E.M. Greenman Trail

Approaching the junction of the E.M. Greenman and Ranger Trails

Near Realization Point, the Gregory Canyon Trail splits off. This trail down to the trailhead on both dirt switchbacks as well and rocky outcroppings. Near the bottom are large Apple trees planted in the 1800s.

Green Mountain is a difficult hike, but well worth the effort. Use it to train for harder things or just to stay in shape. Be warned, however that you won't be alone. There will be runners and CU students, hiking clubs and dogs all vying for the title of most energetic.

The Gregory Canyon Trail

Example of a rocky segment on the Gregory Canyon Trail

Gregory Canyon

Distance: 2.6 miles round trip
Elevation: 5,856ft - 6,655ft
Elevation Gain: 800 ft
Dogs: Off leash with Boulder Voice and Sight tag (seasonal leash restrictions apply)
Bathroom at the trailhead: Yes
Fees: Boulder parking
Tags: #Boulder, #OSMP

View of Boulder from the Gregory Canyon Trail

Gregory Canyon in Boulder off Baseline Road is a great trail to work the quads for summer hiking. Short enough to be done after work, it also varies from soft dirt to erratic rock slabs, which trains the eye and ankles.

Looking up at the area from the meadow leading to the trailhead

The start of the trail is a lush riparian environment. Beware the Poison-ivy!

The main trailhead for Gregory Canyon is at the parking lot at the base of Flagstaff Mountain. There is a fee for non-Boulder County residents unless you have a Mountain Parks pass. Be advised, that the parking lot is small and fills up early. An alternative is to park at Chautauqua and walk an extra mile across a pleasant meadow.

For several years the road to the trailhead was closed because of the 2013 floods. It has since been repaired but parking along the road is even tighter than before. Get an early start if you can.

Many sections are on rough rock slabs

Other sections are rock and dirt.

Some sections are flat dirt.

Gregory Canyon starts out low along Gregory Creek where the lush vegetation and Poison-ivy create a humid micro-climate. It is not long, however, before the trail begins to steadily climb up the canyon wall. The trail alternates between steep step-ups, rock scrambles, and level dirt. As the trail switchbacks upwards the views of Boulder and the surrounding plains become more expansive. It is easy to see how high one has risen by looking down into the canyon itself or marking how high one is in relation to the neighboring flatirons.

Looking down into the canyon

Rock formation across the canyon

Ponderosa Pine dominate

At the top of the canyon, the trail levels out and even descends ever so slightly. Here the trail is packed earth. You can continue past this point to where the Ranger Trail meets the E.M. Greenman Trail (an additional 0.45 miles one way and 295 ft elevation gain) and then turn around. You can also make a loop with the Saddle Rock Trail or use Gregory Canyon as a stepping stone to climbing Green  Mountain. 

Lichen growing on a nearby tree

View from the top of the canyon