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.

France: Abbaye de Royaumont

The Abbaye de Royumont, located 30km north of Paris near Asnières-sur-Oise. The design of the entrance was well constructed to attract visitors and novices alike.

Staring at the main building of the Royoumont Abby down the alley of trees that forms its entrance is an instantaneous narcotic for the soul. Staring at the well placed trees will slow your breathing. When I last visited I swayed restlessly from side to side trance-like. Was this real, or was it jet lag? For a moment life in the 15th Century did not seem so brutal and cruel. Silence oozed from the rocks. If one had to spend an entire life in one spot, one could hardly do worse.

The cloistered hallways were open airy, and filled with the rustling of leaves.

A glimpse across the square. The garden was still bare dirt.

My reveries were instantly shattered, however, upon the arrival of two enfants terrible who raced up behind me shrieking with youthful exuberance. They began throwing stones into the pool. The ripples they caused raced across the water and into my psyche. Time to move on. I managed to stay ahead of them as I toured the grounds. The central cloister garden was torn up and under construction, but he vaulted corridors surrounding them were there. The ghosts of monks long dead rustled in the damp spring air along with a few leaves, dried and forgotten in the corners.

Medieval tiles on the floor of the old refractory

Part of the ruins of the old cathedral. Just out of view to the left is what is left of the tower. It looks like it was cut in half with a dull knife.

Besides the corridors, there are two main rooms, one of which is the dining hall for the monks. It has huge vaulted ceilings, a large organ for when the room was converted to a church, and replicated medieval floor tiles. It was chilly and beautiful at the same time. It is hard to imagine this place of worship being turned into a Grist Mill, but it was. The main entryway was where the wheel was located. The nuns, who later took over the building, tried to restore it sacredness by repairing walls but placards show where various industrial machines were located.

Wandering around the back side of the complex. Birds were singing merrily away, but spring had yet to come with its greenery.

In one corner of the building is a small tearoom. After exhausting myself strolling slowing about, I required a pastry and tea to fortify myself. It is possible that the monks might have enjoyed such indulgences but I gave silent thanks to the modern era, strawberries, crème, and the wonders of international travel.