Saturday, December 5, 2015

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

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

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

North Rock Creek Snowshoe

Distance: 4 miles round trip Elevation: 9,180 ft to 9,780 ft Elevation Gain: 600 ft Dogs: Off leash until the wilderness boundary North...