Lily Lake

Distance: 0.9 mile loop
Elevation: 8,930 ft
Elevation Gain: none
Bathroom at Trailhead: Yes
Dogs: No, National Park
Date Hiked: 7 July 2013

Lily Lake with Mt. Meeker, Long's Peak, and Estes Cone in the background 

Lily Lake on the outskirts of Rocky Mountain National Park is a handicapped accessible stroll filled with views of Long's Peak, Estes Cone, and Twin Sisters. Suitable for families and older folks, I took my parents there and was agog at the baby ducklings, swooping Peregrine Falcons, and fluffy blue clouds. Just lovely.

Looking up at Lily Ridge, which is not in the park. There is a 1.7 mile trail that ascends the ridge.

Golden-mantled Ground Squirrels are always willing to pose for the camera. Just don't feed them!

While Lily Lake won't get your heart rate up, it will put you in a contemplate mood. From the numerous oil painters lining the shore and fishermen floating on their pontoons, it was obvious that others felt the same way.

Blanketflower (Gaillardia aristata) along the trail

A log bench allows for repose along route. Twins sisters soars in the background. 

You get to Lily Lake from Highway 7 at the Twin Sisters Trailhead. There is a small parking lot at the lake itself and a larger one for Twin Sisters across the street. Cars whip by at bone crunching speed so be careful crossing the road. We arrived at 10:00 am and a half a hour later both lots and all the slots along the road were filled. Who were these people? Lilly Lake is not exactly in the main part of the park.

The smooth, gravel trail is suitable for all abilities.

These Mallard ducklings were a hit as they drifted near the shore.

One of the many painters we saw.

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.