City Begins Significant Trail Improvements on Mount Sanitas

The City of Boulder has begun a multi-year effort to improve trails and restore sensitive natural areas on Mount Sanitas—one of the city’s most popular open space destinations, drawing more than 300,000 visitors annually.

These long-term improvements are supported by a $1.1 million grant from the Land and Water Conservation Fund and community fundraising led by the Boulder Open Space Conservancy (BOSC), the official philanthropic partner of City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP).

Mount Sanitas and its summit – one of the most iconic open space areas in Boulder – offer sweeping views of the Boulder Valley and a steep foothill ascent that provides a unique outdoor experience for community members and visitors. However, the rugged, erosion-prone trails that make the area so popular also require extensive, long-term trail maintenance. Repair and maintenance needs increase when visitors walk off trail, which can increase erosion and damage nearby vegetation.

Mount Sanitas trail efforts will begin with repairs and improvements along the main Mount Sanitas Trail, which connects community members from Mapleton Drive to the summit. OSMP will also:

• Conduct extensive maintenance at the summit.
• Improve the East Ridge Trail, which provides another popular route to the summit.
• Close and restore undesignated trails—paths created when visitors walk off trail.

In future phases of Mount Sanitas improvement work, OSMP plans to:

• Construct a new trail connecting neighborhoods northeast of Mount Sanitas to the city’s trail network.
• Build a new trail providing access to historically significant rock quarries on the mountain.
• Install infrastructure around the eight bouldering formations along the Mount Sanitas Trail, including gathering areas, steps, fencing, and signage.

No closures are anticipated with Mount Sanitas trail work, but visitors may experience intermittent delays.

Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks recognizes how important Mount Sanitas is to the community and thanks the Land and Water Conservation Fund, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, and the Boulder Open Space Conservancy for supporting the city’s Mount Sanitas improvement efforts.

“Mount Sanitas is an iconic Boulder open space area that has created special outdoor experiences for generations of community members and visitors from near and far,” said Alyson Duffey, executive director of the Boulder Open Space Conservancy. “We value our strong partnership with Open Space and Mountain Parks, and we look forward to continuing our shared work to ensure future generations can enjoy and protect Mount Sanitas.”