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.

Mt. Evan's Scenic Byway

The star of any trip up Mt. Evans. One of the resident Mountain Goats.

Taking the Mt. Evans Scenic Byway, near Idaho Springs, is a jolly, near death experience with stupendous views. It is also a great way to beat the heat and carouse with Big Horn Sheep, Mountain Goats, and Yellow-bellied Marmots. Mt. Evans is 14,264 ft and is one of two 14ers in the state you can drive up. If you don't like heights, however, you may want to snort some Valium before starting out. The road has no guard rails but plenty of breath-stealing drop offs. You will also share it with bicycles and oversized pick-up trucks. There is a fee past Echo Lake unless you have an all Federal Parks Pass.

Image (not my own) of the Mt. Evans Scenic Byway. I have never been able to take my knuckles off the steering wheel to get a picture!

Things to Do:

• Stop at Echo Lake, which is before the fee station, for a picnic or fishing derby.
• Hike the Pesman Trail, which leaves from the Mt. Goliath Nature Center. This trail travels across the tundra through a grove of ancient Bristlecone Pines. Bristlecones are the oldest thing on earth, easily reaching 1,700 years. Alpine plants galore dot the trail.
• Visit the Nature Center itself and see a mock up of an Alpine Spring Beauty with its 10-foot root that enables it to survive on harsh mountain tops. A small terraced alpine garden with helpful placards surrounds the building.
• Stop at 13,000 ft Summit Lake, a jumping off point for folks heading to the summit the old-fashioned way...via their feet, for an incredible view looking down on Chicago Lakes. A resident heard of Big Horn Sheep often congregate here. Volunteer rangers will also set up interpretive displays.
• Call on some parking karma and get a coveted slot on the summit itself. On the summit you can explore the ruins of an old hotel, feel the power of mother nature via freezing temps and extreme winds and stroll to the top itself. 
 

The summit parking lot. The Boulder field is often filled with tourists climbing the 120 ft from the pavement to the summit. Cars can stretch for a good 1/4 mile on both sides down to the left.

This goat was in need of a Hollywood makeover. He/she/it was shedding its winter coat. Not exactly a red carpet moment. Still, it had panache and liked to pose for the 200 lenses flashing all around.

This celeb was already done shedding and looked like it had just returned from a posh salon. Nothing like a new 'do to make you feel like a mountain diva.

Not to be out done, this B-actor was posing for us on the way down. Yellow-bellied Marmots are known for their hedonistic lounging upon warm rocks 

To get to the byway, take I-70 West from Denver to exit 240 (Hwy 103), the second exit at Idaho Springs. Because of snow the road is usually only open from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Even if there is no snow, CDOT will close the road after the Labor Day weekend, so plan accordingly. Come prepared for any of the following: intense sunlight, cold temperatures, snow, hail or rain, high wind, and low oxygen levels. The road can close any day throughout the summer due to winter-like conditions.

Colorado Chipmunk

Other critters: American Red Squirrel, Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel, Fox Squirrel

Colorado Chipmunk

Chipmunks are cheeky! How many of us have had a chipmunk sneak into our pack, up our pant leg or wiggle into our sleeping bag all in a brazen attempt to steal our food. Once obtained they shove it indelicately into their cheek pouches and race off to their burrow to add the largess to their larder. Chipmunks (Tamias sp.) normally eat such yummy morsels as birds' eggs, small frogs, fungi, worms, insects, as well as nuts. How can my Cliff Bar possibly compete with these obvious delicacies? Dietary peccadilloes aside, tell me who can resist the chipmunk with its campy behavior? Active during the day, they are frequently seen on the trail but they are notoriously hard to capture on film because rarely stand still for any length of time. If you were responsible helping trees and fungi spread their offspring far and wide, you would be busy too. There are five species of chipmunks in Colorado and they are not very easy to identify in the wild, however. You can always spot a chipmunk by the stripes on the side of its face. I am guessing this one is a Tamias quadrivittatus.

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. 

Mt. Falcon

Distance: 8.3 miles round trip
Elevation: 5,950 ft - 7,800 ft
Elevation Gain: 2,002 ft (cumulative)
Bathroom at Trailhead:  Yes
Dogs: On leash (Jefferson County Open Space)
Tags: #coloradooutdoors, #hiking

Looking west from the lookout a top Mt. Falcon

Mt. Falcon near Morrison, CO is unique amongst Jefferson County Open Space parks. In addition to the steep hill to climb, it has old ruins, a lookout, and several covered picnic pavilions, each with lovely views. The terrain is more common however with a typical foothills combination of grasslands, Ponderosa/Lodgepole forest, Junipers, and the occasional Mule Deer.

Trailhead

Map of the route

You can access the park from either the east or west.  On this trip, we started from the east just outside of Morrison itself. We took the Castle Trail upwards for 2.7 miles and 1,290 ft of elevation gain to a picnic shelter with views of Denver, then continued on for another half mile to the ruins of the Walker mansion (at 3.2 miles). At one point Walker owned all of Mt. Falcon as well as Red Rocks not to mention a chunk of Denver.  He was the one who donated land that eventually became Regis University. He also hoped to build the summer white house on the Falcon property and a short spur trail near the first picnic shelter will take you to the spot. Unfortunately, some of Walker's other ventures were not so successful and he died penniless, a 19th Century Colorado Ozymandias. The happy tourists however seemed oblivious to the fleeting nature of existence as they wandered around the bricks and empty rooms.

Typical foothills trail with a mix of dirt and rock. This would be really hot in the summer.

Looking east onto the plains

Ruins of the Walker mansion 

From the Walker ruins, the Castle Trail traverses a wide flat meadow to a large pile of boulders (at 4.2 miles) from which the Continental Divide can be seen. This is near the western trailhead and a lot of people enter the park there because it is significantly less steep.

Crossing the large meadow on the way to the western entrance

View from the boulder pile

The meadow trail towards Mt. Falcon and the lookout

From the boulder pile we took the Meadow Trail past the Eagle Eye Shelter, which looked like it could hold a Girl Scout jamboree and on to the Mt. Falcon lookout (1,738 ft gain), which is a large covered tower with views of the surrounding area. Mt. Falcon itself is covered in thick pines, so the tower contains the only views on this part of the route.

Passing the Eagle's View Shelter

Mt. Falcon Lookout

View from the lookout. That is Denver in the distance.

Almost back to the trailhead, that is Red Rocks Park. 

For varied terrain and a great workout, Mt. Falcon is a great choice. Be advised on a weekend you won't be alone on your journey but the park is large and there is lots of room to spread out.

To get to Mt. Falcon, take the Morrison exit off of E-470, travel through the town and turn left onto State Highway 8. Then turn west on Forest Avenue and north on Vine Street. Their are signs leading the way.