Type: Trail, Loop/Out-and-back
Difficulty: 6 / 10
Dog Friendly: No
Jog-Stroller Friendly: No
Filed Under: Hiking, Running
This trail may be short, but like many in Boulder, it has some quick altitude gain. This is a short loop that mostly comprises of a climb to the top of one of North Boulder's hogbacks and steep descent back to the car.
Start at the Foothills Trailhead. Warm up with a gradual .5 mile trail that runs west under Hwy. 36. At the trail junction near a fence opening, continue southwest up a hill. Near the top of the hill, a faint trial turns off to the west. Take this for a few yards until you come to another fork. You can either go straight or take the right fork. Either way will take you on a 1.8 mile loop to the top of the hogback. I recommend the right fork, as it is more runnable with a gradual ascent. Turn right and run approximately 1.2 miles to the top of the hogback. Stop for a moment to enjoy the views of North Boulder and the plentiful wildflowers. Continue along the trail (now running south to southeast) back downhill and to your car.
Once back at the intersection at the bottom of the steep hill, you can make your run longer with a few optional trails. You can turn right (south) and run along the Foothills Trail to Wonderland Lake (approx. 2 miles out-and-back) or turn left and run north along an unmarked trail (approx. 2 miles out-and-back).
The Foothills Trailhead is located on North Broadway Street, a gravel road located on the right approximately .25 miles north of the Broadway (Hwy. 93) and 28th Street (Hwy. 36) intersection in North Boulder.
Comments
sean said ...
Watch out for snakes (primarily rattlesnakes) during the warmer months. People frequently see them on many North Boulder trails.
Leave a Comment