No foul play is suspected, according to the Boulder County Sheriff's Office. The Mesa Trail also connects to the Towhee Trail, Homestead Trail, South Boulder Creek Trail and Big Bluestem Trail. It is enough distance to make a difference in how much water I bring so it is worth noting! 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). This is the Classic approach to Bear Peak’s summit out of NCAR Trailhead. 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 best route courses along the Homestead Trail. Allowed on most trails. 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. Doing so may result in you slipping and falling. South Mesa Trailhead gets very crowded in the summer. The Towhee Trail merges with the Homestead Trail at 1.15 miles, keeps right and continues on as the Shadow Canyon 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. Green West Ridge Trail – 9 miles – 2,100 Feet Elevation Gain. This trailhead is located near Eldorado Springs on Hwy 170 (Eldorado Springs Drive). Grades moderate up to the Shadow Canyon Trail - Bear Peak W. Ridge Trail split (3.0 miles : 8,155'). From Denver, drive North on interstate 25 to 36 toward Boulder. 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. Print Trail Protect first responders. 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. This trail runs adjacent to Habitat Conservation space. Cross a small bridge over South Boulder Creek and hike past an old ranch house. Use our Inquire Boulder customer service tool to tell us what’s on your mind. Avoid stepping on vegetation. Some deep post-holing on the summit approach as of 3.15.15. This route requires you to do a big climb back up to the parking lot at the end. The Colorado Hiker provides information about Colorado hiking trails, wilderness safety, and history. 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. From Hwy 93 south of Boulder head west on Eldorado Springs Drive to the South Mesa Trailhead on the right. Do not walk on ice-covered lakes and ponds. The second option is up Shadow Canyon, accessed from the South Mesa Trailhead off Eldorado Springs Drive south of town. High-quality shoes are an absolute necessity. Be making noise as you are proceeding so that you don't, say, startle a mother bear with her cubs. Dog excrement removal is required by law. The area is rich with wildlife including Peregrine Falcons, Red-tailed Hawks, songbirds, mule deer, and coyotes. 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. 2. From the intersection, this trail climbs continuously more steeply to the west, up the eastern flank of South Boulder Peak. There will be a gas station at the corner. From the intersection, this trail climbs continuously more steeply to the west, up the eastern flank of South Boulder Peak. The classic route for South Boulder Peak begins at South Mesa Trailhead. Long pants may be a good idea. To start the Bear Peak hike, begin the hike from the South Mesa Trailhead and head up the Mesa Trail. They aren’t 14ers, but this is a great hike to stay in shape for those bigger peaks–or prep for your first. The Mesa Trail also connects to the Towhee Trail, Homestead Trail, South Boulder Creek Trail and Big Bluestem Trail. Beyond the trailhead, dog control requirements vary from trail to trail, so carefully watch for dog regulation signs at trailheads and trail intersections. To climb Bear Peak, you have three trailhead options. South Boulder Peak is only .35 miles south of the Shadow Canyon Trail - Bear Peak West Ridge Trail junction. Route Description for South Boulder Peak Begin the hike from the South Mesa Trailhead via the Mesa 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). See the Accessible Trails Page for details. 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. At the top of the canyon, a short trail takes you to the top of South Boulder Peak. Trail is easy to follow. ", 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. You are responsible for knowing and complying with all closures and OSMP rules & regulations. From Denver, drive North on interstate 25 to 36 toward Boulder. BOULDER COUNTY, CO — A 49-year-old woman was found dead Monday near South Boulder Peak, officials said. Driving Directions From Boulder (Canyon and Broadway): Take Broadway (Hwy 93) south, past CU's campus, and out of town. 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 … From the South Mesa Trail, head up the wide Mesa Trail as it gradually climbs through open terrain. From Highway 93, take Highway 170 toward Eldorado Springs. ", "A great but VERY strenuous hike! This section is wide and very easy. The north side of the South Mesa trailhead opens a way to various other trails- the Mesa, Other, Homestead, and Big Bluestem trails. From the South Mesa trailhead, hike northwest on Mesa Trail. 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. At the intersection of McCaslin and Marshall, take a right onto Marshall Road. It comes out at the Mesa trail, which you follow until you hit the turn to Shadow Canyon trail farther up. The full loop makes for a beautiful hike with lots to see along the way. 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) Turn south (left) onto Mesa Trail. Tell us when your experience with this trail happened. The South Boulder Peak hike is a relatively difficult, rigorous trek. ", "Trail Condition Update: Conditions are changing fast as deep snow melts. From the South Mesa Trail head, take the Mesa Trail to the Towhee trail. Trail Photos This is beautiful but very long. The descent via Bear Canyon Trail is particularly pleasant, complete with babbling creek and wildlife watching opportunities. ", "We started hiking this trail around 4:50PM today. 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. This area provides you with an opportunity of multiple loop hikes. Note that several spurs stray off the main trail route during the first 2 miles. Learn about bringing your dog to OSMP. Turn left on the Towhee trail. Check out the self-guided Cultural Resource History Hike - South Mesa Cultural Landscape. Don't forget: 1.7 miles west of Highway 93 on Eldorado Springs Drive (Highway 170). Old Schoolmarm Cabin on Mesa Trail. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); You can contact ProTrails directly through our Facebook or Instagram accounts. Trail Map 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. Follow Highway 170 for 1.7 miles and the trailhead is on the right. Historic Dunn House. 1.5-3.0 liters of water per person may be a good idea. You’ll gain 2,950′ in elevation as you climb to the South Boulder Peak, which rests at 8,549′. Continue through forest, meadow, and over a small bridge to the juncti… South Boulder Peak - … Note that several spurs stray off the main trail route during the first 2 miles. Travel is prohibited across these well-marked boundaries. Go for 2.6 miles on HWY 93 and take a right onto Eldorado Springs Drive / HWY 170. From Boulder, take Broadway South which will turn into HWY 93. The first and most popular is NCAR, above Table Mesa Drive. 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. This peak does not have many visitors compared to the other nearby peaks. | More Info. It begins at a three-way intersection with Shadow Canyon trail and Bear Peak. At the split go left, onto Homestead Trail. Take the McCaslin Blvd exit and then go South/West onto McCaslin. about 3 years ago. The Shadow Canyon Trail joins a fire road at 1.35 miles (6,275') - the first of three access points to the Mesa Trail. Johnna Foster. © 2021 City of Boulder | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer | About | Admin, 1777 Broadway, Boulder CO 80302 | 303-441-3388. This route requires you to do a big climb back up to the parking lot at the end. The Towhee is now NO DOGS and it doesn't intersect with the Homestead trail anymore. Activities: Hiking. Learn more about riding your horse on OSMP. Would agree this hike is strenuous but you need to do it. 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). 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. 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. Stockton Cabin on Shadow Canyon Trail at S. Boulder Peak Trail. 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. The trail splits after the old ranch house. 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. Heavy snow cover on talus and deadfall the full loop makes for a day pass this starts! 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