People enjoy open space for physical, emotional and mental health. It begins at a three-way intersection with Shadow Canyon trail and Bear Peak. Boulder County Coroner identifies woman found Monday near South Boulder Peak ... family members were in the area of South Mesa Trail searching for Filion. The Towhee Trail merges with the Homestead Trail at 1.15 miles, keeps right and continues on as the Shadow Canyon Trail. There will be a gas station at the corner. Turn south (left) onto Mesa Trail. The second option is up Shadow Canyon, accessed from the South Mesa Trailhead off Eldorado Springs Drive south of town. Take care in this area and stay in the geographical canyon dip where the trees are thickest - not sure if I just didn't take enough care with the path but in any case it was unclear. The other trails lead through ponderosa pine savannah. Enjoy! South Boulder Peak is to the left when you get to the saddle (Bear Peak to the right) and it’s also beautiful! about 3 years ago. McGillvray Cabin on Towhee Trail at Shadow Canyon. It also contains maps, photographs, and hiking trail descriptions. It comes out at the Mesa trail, which you follow until you hit the turn to Shadow Canyon trail farther up. Trip Reports South Boulder Peak is only .35 miles south of the Shadow Canyon Trail - Bear Peak West Ridge Trail junction. From Highway 93, take Highway 170 toward Eldorado Springs. Trail is easy to follow. The Towhee Trail merges with the Homestead Trail at 1.15 miles, keeps right and continues on as the Shadow Canyon Trail. Description This trail helps create connectivity between the summits of South Boulder Peak and Bear Peak. The South Mesa Trailhead is located 1.8 miles west of Highway 93 on Eldorado Springs Drive (Highway 170) in south Boulder. Begin hiking west on the NCAR Trail toward Mesa Trail. Avoid stepping on vegetation. Driving Directions From Boulder (Canyon and Broadway): Take Broadway (Hwy 93) south, past CU's campus, and out of town. This peak does not have many visitors compared to the other nearby peaks. The descent via Bear Canyon Trail is particularly pleasant, complete with babbling creek and wildlife watching opportunities. From Boulder, take Broadway South which will turn into HWY 93. From the trailhead head across the two bridges on Mesa Trail that span South Boulder Creek. 1) Bear Peak and South Boulder Peak via Shanahan North Fork, Fern Canyon, and Shadow Canyon (8 miles, 3,353 ft elevation gain; similar to the trail I took) 2) Bear Peak and South Boulder Peak Loop from South Mesa Trailhead (8.8 miles, 3,431 ft elevation gain) 3) Bear Peak and South Boulder Peak via Western Ridge (9.6 miles, 2,641 ft elevation gain) The best route courses along the Homestead Trail. Grades moderate up to the Shadow Canyon Trail - Bear Peak W. Ridge Trail split (3.0 miles : 8,155'). Or view the interactive trail map (includes trail closures) and the interactive wildlife closures map. Doing so may result in you slipping and falling. As of late 2017 the entrance to Homestead Trail has been moved from next to the old stone Dunn House and relocated farther up the new and improved Mesa Trail. The Colorado Hiker provides information about Colorado hiking trails, wilderness safety, and history. 1: N39 56.326 W105 15.493 — South Mesa Trailhead 2: N39 56.560 W105 15.906 — Traveling west on the Towhee Trail 3: N39 56.763 W105 17.220 — 3rd Mesa Trail junction; begin travel up Shadow Canyon This route lets you see everything that Boulder has to offer for mountain running by traversing the five mountains of Boulder's skyline: South Boulder Peak, Bear Peak… Take the McCaslin Blvd exit and then go South/West onto McCaslin. Johnna Foster. Would recommend ice trekkers and poles during this time period, especially also for the ascent/descent of the South Boulder peak summit/Bear peak summit, and in and around the rocky areas. From the South Mesa Trail, head up the wide Mesa Trail as it gradually climbs through open terrain. The final 100 yards run up steep and loose scree. South Boulder Peak - … Mesa Trail can be taken to Shadow Canyon Trail and to South Boulder and Bear Peaks, or north to NCAR (National Center for Atmospheric Research) and six miles to Chautauqua Park. Boulder - Denver - Golden - Fort Collins - Lyons, Doudy Draw Trail to Flatirons Vista Trailhead, North Table - Tilting Mesa - Mesa Top Loop, +2,904' net elevation gain (+3,039' total roundtrip elevation gain), "Beautiful, beautiful hike - conditions were icy in parts throughout in shadow canyon but passable with just the trusty help of a pole and good shoes - also icy/snowy on the way down in Fern canyon, especially at the steep beginning starting down from Bear peak on descent. South Mesa Trailhead gets very crowded in the summer. Sunset in Boulder in the fall is around 6:53PM. The Shadow Canyon Trail joins a fire road at 1.35 miles (6,275') - the first of three access points to the Mesa Trail. Its southern trailhead is on Eldorado Springs Drive on the southside of Boulder near Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge, while the northern trailhead is at the end of Bluebell Road in Chautauqua (GPS coordinates: 39.99885, -105.28263). A short, fire-scarred trail continues south to the summit with panoramic views across the Eastern Plains and Continental Divide. The South Boulder Creek and Big Bluestem Trails meander through tall and mixed grass prairie. The trail splits after the old ranch house. If you intend to try to reach the summit, begin the trail MUCH EARLIER than 4:50PM (depending on your pace, 1:00PM may be a reasonable starting time). 4.0. ", "Round trip from South Mesa trailhead to Shadow Canyon to South Boulder Peak, then to Bear Peak and down Fern Gulch is approximately 10 miles. To climb Bear Peak, you have three trailhead options. ", "Logged this hike with GPS, it's actually about 9.8 miles round trip from South Mesa trailhead to South Boulder Peak, probably because of all the switchbacks in shadow canyon. | More Info. ", "A great but VERY strenuous hike! $5 cash fee for a day pass This hike starts in the plains of the foothills along Townee Trail. Tell us when your experience with this trail happened. This direct but strenuous route rises steadily through the foothills before splitting off on a rugged climb to the saddle between South Boulder Peak and Bear Peak. And watch where you place your hands. There's a $5 parking fee at South Mesa Trailhead for cars not registered in Boulder County. Allowed on most trails. Parking lots fill up quickly throughout the year, especially on weekends; arrive early to secure a space. 1. This is beautiful but very long. Use our Inquire Boulder customer service tool to tell us what’s on your mind. Black bears and mountain lions inhabit this area. The South Boulder Peak hike can start at the Chautauqua Trailhead, the NCAR Trailhead, or at the South Mesa Trailhead. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Note that several spurs stray off the main trail route during the first 2 miles. Parking lot with parking fee on the north side of Eldorado Springs Drive. Print Trail This is beautiful but very long. The Towhee Trail rises steadily through open slopes for .5 miles, then narrows in a brushy gully beside a small stream. Long pants may be a good idea. This trail helps create connectivity between the summits of South Boulder Peak and Bear Peak. There are several openings in the rocks that may house various animals such as snakes, mountain lions, etc. This area provides you with an opportunity of multiple loop hikes. Views stretch across Walker Ranch to the Vazquez Peaks, James Peak Wilderness, Indian Peaks and Rocky Mountain National Park. It's not as dangerous as that may sound, but nonetheless, it requires care. City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks Phone: 303.441.3440 http://www.bouldercolorado.gov/. The second option is up Shadow Canyon, accessed from the South Mesa Trailhead off Eldorado Springs Drive south of town. Trail Map The Mesa Trail also connects to the Towhee Trail, Homestead Trail, South Boulder Creek Trail and Big Bluestem Trail. From the South Mesa trailhead, hike northwest on Mesa Trail. Trailhead Overview The South Mesa Trailhead serves the southern end of Boulder's Open Space and Mountain Park land. Travel from the saddle up to the summit follows a north-facing route with heavy snow cover on talus and deadfall. See the Accessible Trails Page for details. This trailhead is located near Eldorado Springs on Hwy 170 (Eldorado Springs Drive). Do not walk on ice-covered lakes and ponds. The Backbone Trail continues up the mountainside, passing a saddle on a ridge marked by a tall orange boulder (2.25 miles from the start). If the parking lot is full, you can park at the nearby Doudy Draw Trailhead. As you hike upward and westward the montane zone becomes evident in the area of South Boulder and Bear Peaks. Take the McCaslin Blvd exit and then go South/West onto McCaslin. The Shadow Canyon trail, which leads to South Boulder Peak and Bear Peak is also connected to the Mesa Trail. Information on parking permits & fees. Only used to identify you to ProTrails. This section is wide and very easy. From Boulder head south on 93 towards Golden. Off-trail riding is discouraged to protect rare plants and wildlife habitat. Continue through forest, meadow, and over a small bridge to the juncti… No foul play is suspected, according to the Boulder County Sheriff's Office. At the split go left, onto Homestead Trail. From the get-go, you'll have wide-open, sweeping views of the South Mesa area. Route Description for South Boulder Peak Begin the hike from the South Mesa Trailhead via the Mesa Trail. Historic Dunn House. Go for 2.6 miles on HWY 93 and take a right onto Eldorado Springs Drive / HWY 170. The Mesa Trail also connects to the Towhee Trail, Homestead Trail, South Boulder Creek Trail and Big Bluestem Trail. There are several ways to reach Shadow Canyon - the following description follows the Towhee and Homestead Trails to Shadow Canyon, chosen for its varied terrain and lighter use: From the South Mesa Trailhead, cross South Boulder Creek and bear left on the Towhee Trail (.1 mile). Mesa Trail can be taken to Shadow Canyon Trail and to South Boulder and Bear Peaks, or north to NCAR (National Center for Atmospheric Research) and six miles to Chautauqua Park. The route is seen on this map (same as for Bear Peak). Follow the Homestead Trail for 1.1 miles. No foul play is suspected, according to the Boulder County Sheriff's Office. The rocky part of the trail is very strenuous - it consists of jagged rocks that one must climb up (think of this as doing several sets of squats at the gym). It starts out moderately, but the … ", "We started hiking this trail around 4:50PM today. Would agree this hike is strenuous but you need to do it. The Towhee Trail rises steadily through open slopes for .5 miles, then narrows in a brushy gully beside a small stream. The Mesa Trail also connects to the Towhee Trail, Homestead Trail, South Boulder Creek Trail and Big Bluestem Trail. Mesa Trail can be taken to Shadow Canyon Trail and to South Boulder and Bear Peaks, or north to NCAR (National Center for Atmospheric Research) and six miles to Chautauqua Park. This area is identified as being popular with people using wheelchairs. If the parking lot is full, you can park at the nearby Doudy Draw Trailhead. Look for the trailhead on the left about .2 miles past the Dunn House. Winter conditions exist across open space! We did not make it to the summit, but we will try again this following Monday. Green West Ridge Trail – 9 miles – 2,100 Feet Elevation Gain. From the intersection, this trail climbs continuously more steeply to the west, up the eastern flank of South Boulder Peak. The route from the South Mesa trailhead to South Boulder Peak's 8549' summit is only about 3.5 miles, but it gains nearly 3000' in elevation. The classic route for South Boulder Peak begins at South Mesa Trailhead. The city has launched a beta to preview its new website and gather feedback. BOULDER COUNTY, CO — A 49-year-old woman was found dead Monday near South Boulder Peak, officials said. This route requires you to do a big climb back up to the parking lot at the end. From Hwy 93 south of Boulder head west on Eldorado Springs Drive to the South Mesa Trailhead on the right. Note that several spurs stray off the main trail route during the first 2 miles. Some deep post-holing on the summit approach as of 3.15.15. The trail to South Boulder Peak begins at the South Mesa Trailhead off of Eldorado Springs Drive just South of Boulder, Colorado. Starting from the South Mesa Trailhead makes the hike about seven miles roundtrip and gains about 3,000 feet in elevation. Additional parking may be found across the street at the Doudy Draw Trailhead. 1: N39 56.326 W105 15.493 — South Mesa Trailhead 2: N39 56.560 W105 15.906 — Traveling west on the Towhee Trail 3: N39 56.763 W105 17.220 — 3rd Mesa Trail junction; begin travel up Shadow Canyon © 2021 City of Boulder | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer | About | Admin, 1777 Broadway, Boulder CO 80302 | 303-441-3388. This is a less traveled approach. Grills and stoves are prohibited. If you are interested in hiking both Bear Peak and South Boulder Peak by the Shanahan North Fork, Fern Canyon and Mesa trails it will be an 8 mile loop with 3,353 feet of elevation gain. Turn left onto the Shadow Canyon connector trail after 1.5 miles and head to the mouth of Shadow Canyon.From the mouth of the canyon, it's one mile to the top and 1,600' feet of gain, which makes it one of, if not the steepest climb in Boulder. It is enough distance to make a difference in how much water I bring so it is worth noting! The rocky part of the trail is in a remote area, and it may be some time before rescuers arrive. I actually lost the trail towards the end of shadow canyon, as I approached the fire devastated area - path was somewhat unclear and I strayed onto rocky scree. Cross a small bridge over South Boulder Creek and hike past an old ranch house. At a traffic light, head west on Eldorado Springs Dr. (170) until the signs for South Mesa Trailhead and the parking lot become visible on the north side of … The first and most popular is NCAR, above Table Mesa Drive. Though views are limited, the forest itself is quite pleasant. The South Boulder Peak hike is a relatively difficult, rigorous trek. We took the Homestead trail to Shadow Canyon Trail and followed the trail until about 6:15PM, which was our set turnaround time. To climb Bear Peak, you have three trailhead options. Old Schoolmarm Cabin on Mesa Trail. From the diminutive but tough Mount Sanitas (6,863 feet) to the towering, windswept summit of South Boulder Peak (8,549 feet), our hometown range has something for everyone. Shadow Canyon holds snow but is passable without too much interference. Hike Bear Peak. ", "Trail Condition Update: Conditions are changing fast as deep snow melts. From Boulder, take Broadway South which will turn into HWY 93. From the east, the most accessible trailhead is the South Boulder Creek-West Trailhead. It then connects to Shadow Canyon Trail and enters a cool wooded canyon. The Towhee is now NO DOGS and it doesn't intersect with the Homestead trail anymore. Bear Peak is Boulder’s second tallest mountain at 8,461 feet, but its combination of beauty and brutality has made it an ever-popular challenge among locals. Activities: Hiking. From the South Mesa Trail head, take the Mesa Trail to the Towhee trail. From the South Mesa Trail, head up the wide Mesa Trail as it gradually climbs through open terrain. From the north, the most accessible trailhead is the NCAR trailhead located at NCAR at the western end of Table Mesa Drive in Boulder. You’ll gain 2,950′ in elevation as you climb to the South Boulder Peak, which rests at 8,549′. Turn left on the groomed fire road, which climbs another .7 miles to the last Mesa Trail access point and into Shadow Canyon (2.1 miles : 6,582'). The first and most popular is NCAR, above Table Mesa Drive. Protect first responders. Apparently this section of the trail got redone when the flood in 2013 washed out shadow canyon. This trailhead is located near Eldorado Springs on Hwy 170 (Eldorado Springs Drive). The north side of the South Mesa trailhead opens a way to various other trails- the Mesa, Other, Homestead, and Big Bluestem trails. Remember to always be courteous. ... rugged terrain and not near a … Also much longer than expected -- was anticipating roughly 8 miles round-trip to South Boulder Peak from the Mesa trailhead, and actually logged near 11 miles as others have mentioned. ", N39 56.326 W105 15.493 — South Mesa Trailhead, N39 56.560 W105 15.906 — Traveling west on the Towhee Trail, N39 56.763 W105 17.220 — 3rd Mesa Trail junction; begin travel up Shadow Canyon, N39 57.404 W105 17.834 — Shadow Canyon - Bear Peak West Ridge junction (saddle), N39 57.281 W105 17.915 — Approach to summit, N39 57.215 W105 17.967 — South Boulder Peak Summit, Bear Peak is only .4 miles north from the. Directions to South Mesa Trailhead: Take Highway 93 south out of Boulder. Will not show on comments list. The Mesa Trail also connects to the Towhee Trail, Homestead Trail, South Boulder Creek Trail and Big Bluestem Trail. Cross a small bridge over South Boulder Creek and hike past an old ranch house. 3. This is the Classic approach to Bear Peak’s summit out of NCAR Trailhead. Access to Bear Peak is from the South Mesa Trailhead off of Eldorado Springs Drive just South of Boulder. Take hikers left, onto Homestead Trail. To start the Bear Peak hike, begin the hike from the South Mesa Trailhead and head up the Mesa Trail. On most OSMP trails in this area, dogs must be on a hand-held leash at all times unless they meet the voice and sight control standard and display a City of Boulder Voice and Sight tag. In general, there are three main trailheads for South Boulder Peak. Dogs must be on a hand-held leash at all times unless they meet voice and sight control requirements, and on trail segments where specifically indicated (irrespective of tags). Beyond the trailhead, dog control requirements vary from trail to trail, so carefully watch for dog regulation signs at trailheads and trail intersections. There will be … Seven picnic tables at parking lot. From Denver, drive North on interstate 25 to 36 toward Boulder. Just be prepared, use your better judgment and don't exceed your limits. From the South Mesa Trailhead, cross South Boulder Creek and bear left on the Towhee Trail (.1 mile). All dogs must be leashed in the Trailhead Leash Area. Check out the self-guided Cultural Resource History Hike - South Mesa Cultural Landscape. A few pieces of advice: (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); You can contact ProTrails directly through our Facebook or Instagram accounts. Comments. City of Boulder Trail System Map Map of South Boulder Peak via Shadow Canyon Directions: This hike starts at the South Mesa Trailhead off of Eldorado Springs Drive. From Hwy 93 south of Boulder head west on Eldorado Springs Drive to the South Mesa Trailhead on the right. Parking restrictions on Eldorado Springs Road are strictly enforced. At the top of the canyon, a short trail takes you to the top of South Boulder Peak. Go for 2.6 miles on HWY 93 and take a right onto Eldorado Springs Drive / HWY 170. Stay on trail/walk through mud. Dog excrement removal is required by law. Closest City / Town: Boulder, Colorado. Dogs are also able to use this trail. Find a spot to sit and admire the contrasting views: the mountains extend to the northwest and the plains to the east. Parking lots fill up quickly throughout the year, especially on weekends; arrive early to secure a space. A dog station is available to aid in the collection of dog excrement. Follow Eldorado Springs Drive / HWY 170 for 1.8 miles towards Eldorado Canyon State Park and look for the parking area on the right hand side of the street. It begins at a three-way intersection with Shadow Canyon trail and Bear Peak. Trail Photos You are responsible for knowing and complying with all closures and OSMP rules & regulations. This trail runs adjacent to Habitat Conservation space. Awesome Hike. Parking is not allowed on Highway 170. The South Boulder Peak hike starts out of the South Mesa Trailhead. BOULDER COUNTY, CO — A 49-year-old woman was found dead Monday near South Boulder Peak, officials said. Stockton Cabin on Shadow Canyon Trail at S. Boulder Peak Trail. The trail levels as it crosses the saddle connecting Bear Peak to South Boulder Peak, then climbs steeply to South Boulder Peak, a 8,549-foot peak covered with massive boulders. This route is highlighted in Blue on trail maps. From Denver, drive North on interstate 25 to 36 toward Boulder. Past the rock you will gain a view of the mesa, a flatter section of the mountains to the south.. After hiking just over 2 miles up Mesa Peak Motorway, and 2.7 miles from the start, you will come to an important split in the road. Do not attempt to proceed on to the rocks if the weather is too wet or windy. Turn left (south) for the last .35 mile, 395' push to the summit. Turn left onto the Shadow Canyon connector trail after 1.5 miles and head to the mouth of Shadow Canyon.From the mouth of the canyon, it's one mile to the top and 1,600' feet of gain, which makes it one of, if not the steepest climb in Boulder. Wear appropriate gear, such as traction devices for your shoes/boots. There are a number of different variations that you can make on this hike due to the web of trails heading out from the trailhead. Know your limits and don’t take unnecessary risks. The trail twists quickly on a faint path through large boulders and mature mixed pine. Mesa Trail can be taken to Shadow Canyon Trail and to South Boulder and Bear Peaks, or north to NCAR (National Center for Atmospheric Research) and six miles to Chautauqua Park. From the intersection, this trail climbs continuously more steeply to the west, up the eastern flank of South Boulder Peak. Trailhead: South Mesa Trailhead. South Mesa, Bluestem and Shadow Canyon Loop is a 6 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Eldorado Springs, Colorado that offers scenic views and is rated as moderate. Be making noise as you are proceeding so that you don't, say, startle a mother bear with her cubs. This is a beautiful trail, and we don't mean to make everyone paranoid. The area is rich with wildlife including Peregrine Falcons, Red-tailed Hawks, songbirds, mule deer, and coyotes. Wear a face covering when passing others. Travel is prohibited across these well-marked boundaries. pI'm guessing this is probably due to the re-routing of Towhee/Homestead from the floods in 2013 and perhaps a change to Shadow Canyon from flood, or fire in 2012. Took care to tread carefully around the rocks of course. Turn left on the Towhee trail. This route requires you to do a big climb back up to the parking lot at the end. This is a great hike, but the directions on getting there in this article can be a little deceiving. The City of Boulder welcomes your feedback. Learn about bringing your dog to OSMP. The South Mesa Trailhead is located 1.8 miles west of Highway 93 on Eldorado Springs Drive (Highway 170) in south Boulder. Here the trail grows markedly steeper, climbing 1967' in just 1.25 miles to the summit. The full loop makes for a beautiful hike with lots to see along the way. This trail starts out at the South Mesa Trail head which leads to many different destinations and connects with Boulder’s Open Space and Mountain Park land. If you walk to the top of both Bear and South Boulder (from South Mesa Trailhead, via Shadow Canyon), you get around 3,000 vertical feet of climbing/descending, and 7-8 miles of distance. 1.5-3.0 liters of water per person may be a good idea. Directions: This hike starts at the South Mesa Trailhead off of Eldorado Springs Drive. At the intersection of McCaslin and Marshall, take a right onto Marshall Road. High-quality shoes are an absolute necessity. There is a parking fee. Follow Highway 170 for 1.7 miles and the trailhead is on the right. Use sign posts on trees for guidance. They aren’t 14ers, but this is a great hike to stay in shape for those bigger peaks–or prep for your first. Learn more about riding your horse on OSMP. The standard route starts from the South Mesa TH, off Eldorado Springs Drive, and ascends the Mesa, Shadow Canyon South and Shadow Canyon trails to the high point of South Boulder Peak. Continue after crossing South Boulder Creek, looking for Homestead Trail on your left. South Boulder Peak (3.35 miles : 8,549') is small and pointed, but with ample room to maneuver. The South Mesa Trailhead serves the southern end of Boulder's Open Space and Mountain Park land. There is no parking fee at the NCAR trailhead. South Boulder Peak (8,549') is located 3.35 miles from South Mesa Trailhead via Shadow Canyon. Don't forget: 1.7 miles west of Highway 93 on Eldorado Springs Drive (Highway 170). ", "There's been some changes to the Towhee portion of this trail. 2. The area is badly scarred with a skeletal feel from the 2012 fire, but recovery is under way as ground vegetation anchors in to slow eroision. 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