75.2 miles: Shanahan Ridge Trail, Boulder, CO

On By AnnieLeave a comment

Date: Sunday, March 8, 2020

Miles: 4 miles

Elevation Gain: 804 feet

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

Time: 1 hr 30 min total

Type: Day hike from Denver (30 min drive)

Trail Head:

https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/shanahan-ridge-trail

Notes:

I really did not have the motivation Sunday to get out and hike— but, I needed some exercise so I forced myself to get outside. Very happy that I did! The weather was overcast and drizzled throughout the hike, but I was able to get in this quick loop. The trailhead is located in a neighborhood in South Boulder, Shanahan Ridge Trailhead. The trail was mostly dry, with one snow ramp area immediately during the decent. Other than that it was easy and clear. This trailhead is great for a quick afternoon hike, with many different trails you can take to extend your mileage.

71.2 miles: Lion’s Lair Trail to Mount Sanitas, Boulder, CO

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Date: Saturday, March 7, 2020

Miles: 4.5 miles

Elevation Gain: 853 feet

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

Time: 1 hr 30 min total

Type: Day hike from Denver (35 min drive)

Trail Head:

https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/lions-lair-trail

Notes:

It feels good to be back home in Colorado and back to our weekend routines! After yesterday afternoons long hike, we opt for something shorter this morning. I love Lions Lair Trail to Mount Sanitas— it spreads the elevation out evenly, has shade, and always seems to be less crowded. This trailhead is in a Wildlife Preserve, so no dogs.

We got to the trailhead around 9am, happy to find plenty of parking. The trail was dry throughout, except for one brief patch of snow at the top (no traction needed). The summit was busier than usual, so we tagged the peak then hiked back out. We did see a park ranger on the trail, so we warned some people who were sneaking in dogs on our hike out. Great day full of sunshine!

At the summit, looking north

66.7 miles: Barr Lake Trail Loop, Barr Lake State Park, Brighton, CO

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Date: Friday, March 6, 2020

Miles: 9.5 miles

Elevation Gain: 98 feet

Difficulty: Easy

Time: 3 hr total

Type: Day hike from Denver (30 min drive)

Trail Head:

https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/barr-lake-trail

Notes:

I have been out of town for the majority of the last three weeks, so I had some mileage to catch up on this afternoon! Now that we have a state park pass, we decided to check out a park northwest of Denver, Barr Lake State Park in Brighton.

We parked at the trailhead closest to I-76, although this loop is accessible from all other trailheads at the park. We started from the bird conservatory and went clockwise, hiking up to the trail along the damn. The entire trail circled around the lake, with views of the mountains on the horizon. There were several look overlooks and boardwalks. The trail was completely dry, but also in the sun the whole time (no shade).

Around mile 6, there was a huge flock of bald eagles out on an island. I’ve never seen so many bald eagles before! There were dozens and dozens. The last two miles were more isolated and next to the train tracks. I probably wouldn’t do that section again.

Last miles is next to train tracks and not scenic

57.2 miles: Mesa Trail (Eldorado Springs to NCAR), Boulder, CO

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Date: Sunday, February 16, 2020

Miles: 9.2 miles

Elevation Gain: 1913 feet

Difficulty: Moderate

Time: 3 hr 45 min total

Type: Day hike from Denver (40 min drive)

Trail Head:

https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/mesa-trail-eldorado-springs-to-chautauqua

Notes:

Sunday had the perfect weather forecast for the foothills, so we took a short trip to south Boulder and hiked along the Mesa Trail from start to (almost) finish. We have hiked along this trail several times, but we have always used it as a connector. We parked at the South Boulder Trailhead, which requires a $5 parking fee if your vehicle is not registered in Boulder County.

At 9am, the temperature was still cool enough that we needed micro-spikes right away due to icy conditions. We took the main trail and continued to follow the Mesa Trail for the first mile. Then, we took a short cut but utilizing Upper Bluestem Trail, which shaves off a bit of mileage. This trail segment rejoins the Mesa Trail in a mile; it was also the only dry segment on the trail we encountered. After we rejoined the Mesa Trail, we went right and climbed through the pine forest towards NCAR.

Mesa Trail was really beautiful, with intervals of elevation gain through the foothills. It had amazing views of the flatirons and Boulder. As the day went on, the trail became slushy and muddy, making it harder to hike and very wet.

I stopped at mile 4.6, right before the big descent down to the Chitauqua Trailhead. The trail was already steep both ways and I did not want to add the extra elevation gain. Travis finished the hike and stopped by the Chitauqua bathroom, a total of about 12.5 miles.

48 miles: Lion Gulch Trail (partial), Roosevelt National Forest, Estes Park, CO

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Date: Saturday, February 15, 2020

Miles: 3 miles

Elevation Gain: 535 feet

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

Time: 1 hr 20 min total

Type: Day hike from Denver (50 min drive)

Trail Head:

https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/lion-gulch-trail

Notes:

Lion Gulch Trailhead is right off of highway 36, the route we take from Denver to Estes Park. We have passed by this trailhead for years, so we made a pit stop on our way home to add on some extra mileage. This trail is located in Roosevelt National Forest and is dog friendly.

The trail has interval altitude gain and loss, following a creek through a pine forest. Currently, there is quite a bit of snow pack, so the trail was not very scenic. I bet it’s beautiful by the creek in the summer, especially for a picnic. We hiked along this trail for a little over a mile before turning back. The first half mile or so was close to the road and noisy.