Type: Trail, Loop
Difficulty: 4 / 10
Altitude: 5,644 ft
Elev. Gain/Loss: 816 ft / 816 ft
Dog Friendly: Yes
Jog-Stroller Friendly: No
Filed Under: Hiking, Running
This loop is technically not very difficult, but it gains quite a bit of altitude in a short distance. The run starts at the trailhead across from the day care center behind the last row of houses that borders the Open Space on the corner of Lehigh St. and Redstone Rd.
Take this trail (flat but rocky) to an intersection. You can see a map of the loop at the intersection. You can either turn left and do the loop clockwise or turn right for a counter-clockwise loop. I prefer running counter-clockwise, and I will give my directions accordingly, so turn right and start running north uphill for about 100 yards on a gravel road. The road, known as North Shanahan Rigde Trail, will gradually turn west towards the mountains. Take this all the way to the intersection of the Mesa Trail at approximately 1.5 miles. Turn left (south) and run on the Mesa Trail for approximately .5 miles. Now turn left (east) on the South Shanahan Ridge Trail. You will now be back on a gravel road and running back downhill. After approximately .7 miles you will come to a meadow. The trail turns right here back on to a narrow trail. Take this for another .5 miles snaking through the pine forest until you come to another gravel road. Turn right (east) and run back to the very first intersection and back to the trailhead.
Despite that the majority of this run is on gravel roads, it is very enjoyable. In the early mornings and late afternoons, I frequently encounter deer and other wildlife on this trail.
From Broadway (Hwy. 93) in S. Boulder, drive south to Greenbriar. Turn right (west) and drive past Fairview High School. Drive approximately another mile until the road curves around to the north. Note- Open Space will be on your left. At the intersection of Lehigh St. and Redstone Rd., find a place to park on the street near the day care center. Now look for the trailhead behind the last row of houses that borders Open Space.
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