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Green Mountain via Chautauqua Park

Boulder, Colorado

4.5/5
based on 4 reviews

Details

Distance

5.24 miles

Elevation Gain

2467 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Jeff Richards

Green Mountain is a fun day hike with beautiful views. The well-marked trails to make it a bit easier to follow and more family friendly. Duration: 4-6 hours.

Starting from the popular Chautauqua Park trailhead, head west on the main trail to the first branch off onto a smaller trail that will take you toward Baseline Road. Follow this trail until it eventually connects with Gregory Canyon Trailhead—you can park at this trailhead if you wish, but miss out on view of the Flatirons.

Head out on the main Gregory Canyon trail that heads due west into the mountains. This trail will begin to climb pretty rapidly up through the canyon, so be ready. About a mile of climbing later, you will reach the high point of the canyon and have a mostly flat section for about half a mile. At the end of this flat section will be a ranger station; continue straight ahead on Ranger Trail.

On Ranger Trail, continue the climb west until you reach a trail junction. Either direction will get you to Green Mountain Summit, but taking a right will have you on the shorter, steeper route and a left turn will take you on a route that's not as steep, but considerably longer. Choose your direction based entirely on preference; if there's snow on the trail, however, it's better to take the left route.

Either way, the climb will continue for a mile and a half on the right route or about two and a half to three miles on the left route. As long as you don't leave the trail, it will be very straightforward—in an hour or two you'll find yourself on top Green Mountain with views of the Front Range, Boulder, and the plains to the east.

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Features

Photography
Hiking
Bathrooms
Dog Friendly
Easy Parking
Family Friendly
Food Nearby
Forest

Reviews

Fun day hike with beautiful views. The trail was well-marked. It took me four hours.

Great views of Boulder. Great short hike for a weekend morning. Or as part of a longer day. Its rad.

Can't beat the views of Boulder.

Did this hike this morning and it was awesome! Got to the trailhead by 6:30am on a Saturday and parking was no problem. I would definitely get there early as it was packed when we left. Beautiful views and perfect little day hike. Would definitely recommend trail cleats if you are planning on doing this one in the winter.

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Hike the Chautauqua Trail to the Ski Jump Trail

Royal Arch Trail

Hike to the 1st Flatiron

Hike the Enchanted Mesa Trail

Hike the Saddle Rock Trail

Green Mountain via Gregory Canyon and Ranger Trail