Boulder hikes
 

On the spur of the moment, I decided to go to Boulder for a couple of days with my 13 yo daughter. I'm planning out my itinerary now, but have a quick question about hiking trails. I've seen great references in these forums to hiking trails into the Canyon, along the creek, Chatauqua, etc, but I'm confused about what they're like, where to start, where to end, how long, etc. We'd like something easy, just a couple of hours, maybe with something special at the end (waterfall, place to get in the water and cool off, whatever). Also, we'll be there in July, and so don't want something that will be too strenuous in the heat. We'll have a car, so can drive a little, but we don't want to go on any long trips. (RMNP sounds beautiful, but with road construction and summer traffic, I think we'd be better served to hike closer to our home base rather than spend a couple of hours round trip in a car.)

Thanks in advance for any help!

Try this website for details on trails in and around Boulder: http://www.go-colorado.com/Boulder/Hiking

The City of Boulder also has a wonderful website chock full of visitor information, including hiking trails: http://www.bouldercolorado.gov/

Chautauqua Park is off Baseline Road and has a number of trailheads. Also, there's a bike path along Boulder Creek which is not too strenuous to walk, plus you could dip your feet in the water (being careful of the swift current). Check out the websites for detailed information on location, length and difficulty of the trails - there's lots for you to explore!

We hiked Indian Peaks--Brainard Lake to Long Lake to Isabelle Lake. We had picked up sandwiches at the Barking Dog Cafe in Lyons and had a wonderful lunch by the the lake. Beautiful drive through a canyon as you drive to Indian Peaks.

We also hiked Wild Basin Wilderness to Oezel Falls--nice waterfall, shaded hike(as I remember)

Thanks -- this looks great. Any comments on our proposed itinerary? (Put together mostly with input from you fellow Fodorites!)

Day 1: Arrive in evening; stroll along Pearl St. Mall for about an hour before settling in for the evening.

Day 2: Stroll Historic Downtown Boulder and Pearl St. Mall; visit NCAR; Dushanabe Tea House for lunch; Banjo Billy’s Bus Tour late afternoon. Dinner theater or folk dancing at night.

Day 3: Hike day (still working on which hike); Farmer's Market late afternoon; silent movie at Chautauqua or Bands on the Brick at night.

Day 4: Museum day -- Contemporary Art, CU Natural History, Boulder History -- any recommendations for which? Celestial Seasonings Tea Factory tour; Fiske Planatarium or Shakespeare Festival at night

Day 5: Denver Day -- CO History Museum, Denver Zoo, Mus of Nature & Science, or Museum of Miniatures, Dolls and Toys -- any recommendations?

Day 6: Early flight home, and lots of rest!

Thanks for any thoughts, tips, etc.

Tho the Indian Peaks hike suggested is nice, it will easily take as long (driving, parking, hiking) as driving to Rocky Mt. N. Park. Hiking paths behind NCAR (after you visit)are nice, and you can also lunch in the cafeteria. CU museum is fun, Celestial (love the mint room)tour ditto (they also have a cafeteria); if you go to Celestial, make sure to hop over (very close) to the Leanin Tree museum of western art; it is free and very worth the time; lovely outdoor sculpture garden, also.
In Denver, if you have the energy, the zoo and museum are right next to each other. Shakespeare is a must do!

Wonderful plans. I'm just back 2 days ago from 5 nights in Boulder. We left the canyon and ventured into the mountains a lot, since they were having a record heat! Lucky us! (97 in Denver and Boulder and 58!!!! up in Brainard Lake, near Nederland.) Your museum day - the Celestial Tour is only an hour or so, and well worth it. Fun fun. Yes, go to Leaning Tree, or some other museum that day, too. One mention about the "easy" hikes in and around Boulder - out in Chautauqua Park there are many trails marked "easy," loverlooking the Flatirons. Trouble is, the terrain getting to the easy trails is slightly steep and out in the baking hot sun and dusty! Since I am a middle aged woman suffering from sciatica, it wasn't workin' well for me! OK, now don't laugh all you athletes. We did a number of trails that were really "easy," marked "wheel chair accessible," and did great. Took a beautiful walk around Bear Lake in the Rocky Mt Nat'l Park. I know my limitations. Enjoy. Nice progressive city with beautiful topography.

BTW, if you want a stroll in Boulder, along the creek, the Boulder Creek path goes for miles and miles, from the west end of town to the east, and is fairly level. (Be warned, lots of bikes, walkers, bladers, etc.) Anything you do in the mountains, do early, both for the cool and to avoid thunderstorms that build in the p.m.