Aspens are changing at Hermit Park

A few of us decided to ride Hermit Park this past Sunday to escape another hot Sunday in Boulder. Their was a bit of road bicycle dodging on Highway 36 and in Lyons as the Venus de Miles race was gearing up but we made it to the trailhead, saddled up and headed down the trail. I love this area, as I have stated in previous posts and am glad to report that the horse campground is underway. Stakes are in the ground and hopefully the new campgrounds will be open in Spring of 2013.

We were surprised to see the smaller aspens changing color this early, but it has been a long, hot and dry summer here in Colorado. A gradual climb to the first Homestead and Spring was lovely as we explored the forests and meadows. We trotted the horses out and climbed through the forest stopping at a lovely meadow to have lunch. After, we picked up a trail towards another homestead which later revealed the Twin Sisters looming towards the west. As we turned for home the horses picked up the pace and we had it all to experience again.

Note: Entrance fee $6.00
Speed Limited: 10 MPH and they mean it!
Parking: 3 trailers at trailhead, other areas available if full.
Cabins: port-o-potties and propane stoves available (no horses allowed)
Camping: Small RVs and tent
Horse Campground: (Spring 2013)
Dogs: leashed until you reach the boundary
Water: spring at first homestead, small drainage if flowing

It's finally cooling down in Boulder

South Boulder Trailhead

It has been a long  hot summer here in Boulder, starting with fires, and record temperatures. This past weekend the temp's finally cooled down so a group of us decided to meet at the newly remodeled trail head in South Boulder off Broadway in Marshall. The new trailer parking sites were easy to pull into and out of (thank you City of Boulder Open Space).

We arrived around 1:30 pm and tacked up the horses. Today's ride was with two younger riders and green horses, their trainer Lauren Carver and my good friend Lee. We checked in with our horses with a bit of in-hand ground work, mounted and then headed west towards the Mesa trail. We turned off early onto a new link trail to check it out, and some of the greener horses had to learn to cross some small bridges, it was a good learning experience for both horse and rider. The link trail led us to the Shanahan Ridge housing community so we  decided to bushwack west to the gate that allowed us to access the trails higher up.

The afternoon we did some wonderful trotting and cantering on wide open trails, and also explored deeper into the woods on single track trails. Some more challenging then others.
There are steep steps for your horse to work on—some man-made some natural. All in all you can make this trail system as easy or as challenging as you would like.

NOTES:
Shoes: recommended.
Trailer parking: designated, can hold about six, medium size trailers doubled-up.
Bikes: Not-allowed
Dogs: Some trails require leash, bear and deer in this area so suggest you leave them at home.