Barr Lake

Distance: 9 mile loop
Elevation gain: none, flat
Dogs: Not allowed
Critters: Birds, birds birds!
Bathroom at Trailhead: Yes

Distant view of birds out on Barr Lake

Barr Lake is a State Park filled with waterfowl. I went there to try out my new 500mm Canon lens. The lake was too low to get very close to the birds but the scenery made up for it. All the marsh plants were high and dry and a fall-ish rusty color. The weather was also sublime, particularly knowing that the following day it was supposed to snow!

A group of Cackling Geese (Branta hutchinsii) swim past some of their sleeping cousins [Canada Geese (Branta canadensis)]. Until recently, the Cackling Goose was thought to be a sub-species of the Canada Goose. They have shorter necks, are smaller in general, and have a dark breast.

A half of a mile from the shoreline was a small cluster of birds. These include Pelicans and Cormorants.

American Coot (Fulica americana) was a common site at the lake.

I was surprised at how built up the area is around the lake. There is one large shopping mall nearby and the ubiquitous Starbucks a few miles away for those who need their fix. It was not long ago that Barr Lake was practically "in Kansas" it was so far out on the plains. Humans are encroaching here as well.

My prized shot, a Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) roosting in a tall Cottonwood tree. We had stood under this tree for half an hour taking pictures, walked on and met some birders who asked if we had seen the owl. We raced back and there he was. I "hoo hoo'ed" at him and he open his eye ever so slightly. From the ground and with the naked eye he looked like just part of the tree. See how his banded feathers make him blend in with the tree bark?

Bald Eagle from a mile a way. Compared with my photos of Bald Eagles from the Bird Islands Nova Scotia, this shot is particularly dull. You can walk right up to this snag however.

Female Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)

The park contains a nice nature center, which puts on educational programs. There was the typical stuffed birds and animal skins. I wrapped the fox skin around my neck and struck a naughty, aristocratic pose. Fortunately, only the ghosts of the birds lining the walls were there to poo poo my shameful behavior. The nature center also has a solarium with a nice couch overlooking an extensive bird feeder. Numerous Sparrows and Blue Jays could be seen hopping about feeding area.

Views of the Lake

The trail around the lake is a broad dirt road intermixed with side trails and board walks. While long, it is any easy walk. Since we were all loaded down with camera gear we only managed to travel 1.5 miles to a gazebo that juts out into the water. From there we saw the resident Bald Eagle on its perch a mile away. Some large deer with huge antlers could be seen cowering under the shrubbery near the eagle's nest. The closest birds were only 0.3 miles from the nature center however near a nice shaded sitting area.

Boardwalk from the Gazebo. At one point this was all over water.

Some areas of the lake are totally overgrown now

I have no idea if the water level in Barr Lake is seasonal or if drought has kept it low. For now it is better enjoyed as a broad panorama vice a photographers mecca.

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.