South Boulder Peak - or not

Remnants of a historic homestead at the South Mesa Trailhead

I figured that since I now live in Boulder, I should take advantage of the great trail accessibility and get out for a hike today.  Unfortunately, I wasn't feeling too motivated - I did a long'ish run yesterday and my legs weren't feeling too spry, and I didn't feel like spending a lot of time in the car to drive to a trailhead (though a 'long time' to get into the higher peaks is only about 45 minutes).

Ross suggested I hike up to South Boulder Peak - I'd be able to see the Continental Divide to the west and plains to the east.  My friend, Clara, who lives just outside of Boulder suggested the next peak over (Bear Peak), which you get to using many of the same trails and when I mentioned Ross's suggestion, she said that although she hadn't been up there, it should be nice and an hour or so shorter.  Shorter sounded good, so I grabbed my scribbled directions (found online) and headed out.

View to the east following the Homestead Trail towards South Boulder Peak.

The online directions had warned that the trailheads often fill up early, and I was definitely getting a later start.  However, President Obama was speaking in town, and I was hoping that the draw to see him would decrease the number of folks out recreating.  The trailhead ended up being busy, but I found a spot to part and started hiking. 

It was warm today (high 80s), but this was cooler than last week and there was a decent wind helping to keep things cool.  Hiking here is definitely different than in Oregon - drier, more open, and very different kinds of plants.  My brain was really wanting to put names to the trees, grasses, and forbs I was seeing - most of which I'm not at all familiar with.  I'm going to have to add a Colorado plant guide to my list of books to buy in the near future.

There were a few interesting warning signs as I headed to the peak.  First, the warning of recent bear activity.  I wasn't too worried since there were a lot of other people out - but I did see a lot of bear scat on the trails.  The second was of a bee swarm up the narrow trail I had just turned onto.  Luckily the bees and hornets were concentrated over a stream and didn't seem too bothered when I quickly hiked through.

The trails where well marked and the hiking was relatively easy if not steep in parts.  I was about 3/4 of the way to the peak when I ran into two other hikers who informed me that a bit up the trail, it was fenced off due to the Flagstaff Fire that came through the area this summer.  What?!?!  Shouldn't this be posted at the trailhead?  Turns out there as a sign that I missed at the previous intersection (where I could have detoured over to Bear Peak), but I never did see a sign at the trailhead.

The sign that I missed indicating that the trail to South Boulder Peak was closed.

End of the trail - for now.

I considered walking around the fence, but particularly since I was alone decided not to.  I ate lunch in a shady spot near the closure, then headed back down the trail.  After going about 1/4 of the way down, I could have taken another trail over to connect with the Bear Peak trail, but decided to postpone that hike for another day.

So, less adventurous than I'd initially planned, but it was nice to get out and see a bit more of my new surroundings.

If you look closely, you can see the that the trees at the top of the ridge were burned in the Flagstaff fire.