South Boulder Creek, West Trailhead

Click the map for a larger PDF map (4.2 MB).

LOCATION

1401 South Foothills Highway. West of Highway 93 at Thomas Lane, approximately 0.5 miles north of the intersection of Highway 93 and Eldorado Springs Drive.

Please check for temporary or seasonal closures or advisories.

PARKING

Parking lot just south of Thomas Lane at the trailhead.

BUS CONNECTIONS

An RTD bus passes very close to this trailhead. See Bus connections in English, Autobuses en español.

 
TRAILS

South Boulder Creek Trail is accessed from the south side of the parking lot. This trail passes by tall and mixed grass prairie as it meanders west along South Boulder Creek. Its terminus is at the southeast end of the Mesa Trail which provides extensive trail access along the foothills, including routes to the top of South Boulder and Bear Peaks.

Big Bluestem Trail is accessed by hiking westward on Thomas Lane approximately 0.3 miles (**Please note that parking is not allowed on Thomas Lane). This trail intersects the Mesa trail at two locations: 1) along the lower southern portion of the Mesa Trail, 2) terminus at the upper Mesa Trail before it passes the western most point of the South Fork of the Shanahan Trail.
An easy four mile loop is to hike the South Boulder Creek Trail to the Mesa Trail north to the Big Bluestem Trail and east to the trailhead.

RESTROOMS 

Located at the trailhead.

PICNIC FACILITIES

One picnic table is available at the trailhead. It is partly shaded and located next to a pond. Grills and stoves are prohibited.

BIKE REGULATIONS

Bicycles are not allowed on the trails accessed from this trailhead.

DOG REGULATIONS

All dogs must be leashed in the Trailhead Leash Area. Dogs are prohibited on the Greenbriar Connector Trail. Dogs must be on a hand-held leash on Lower Big Bluestem Trail. On most other OSMP trails in this area, dogs must be on a hand-held leash at all times unless they meet the voice and sight control standard and display a City of Boulder Voice and Sight tag. Dog excrement removal is required by law. A dog station is available to aid in the collection of dog excrement. Dog regulation maps are available on the Dog Regulations by Area page.

On most other trails in the area, dogs must be on a hand-held leash at all times unless they meet the voice and sight control standard and display a City of Boulder Voice and Sight tag. Dog excrement removal is required by law. A dog station is available to aid in the collection of dog excrement.

HORSE REGULATIONS

Horses are allowed on all trails. On-trail riding is encouraged to protect rare plants and wildlife habitat.

WILDLIFE

These are excellent trails to explore the grassland ecosystem and the lower range of the ponderosa pine forest. Mule deer commonly graze this area in the early morning. Coyote and fox can also be observed. The area also provides hunting grounds for many of our local raptors. In early May, wild irises bloom in great numbers along the upper Big Bluestem trail.

HISTORIC INFO

• An area of ranching and cattle grazing.

Before You Go

Please know OSMP rules and regulations.

Please study our six "Leave No Trace" Principles to protect the land.

Dog owners: see our special dog page.

Hikers and climbers: Please be aware of all area closures.

Mountain bikers: Follow this link for trails where you can bike.

Last Updated on Tuesday, 27 November 2012 11:57