Outdoor Project

Fowler Trail is a not-to-be-missed hike within the stunning Eldorado Canyon State Park. Take a solo stroll or bring the whole family to enjoy views of steep, golden rock walls and lush, sheltered greenery.

Eldorado Canyon, or "Eldo" as it is known to rock climbers, is a world-famous outdoor playground located right outside of Boulder, Colorado. Though it has earned its reputation as a beautiful and challenging rock climbing destination, anyone can enjoy the grandeur of this place on its hiking trails, or simply by driving to have a look.

Chautauqua Trail is the most popular trail in what is perhaps the most visited mountain park in Boulder, Chautauqua Park. Follow the well-traveled path leading from the parking area and directly across the meadow toward the huge rock slabs called the Flatirons. It is the shortest route to the rocks, and it joins with other scenic loops, which explains the high traffic.

The I Street Jumps have long been a part of the mountain bike community, even on global scale. Despite, or maybe because of, the fact that they were less-than-legal and faced a constant threat of demolition for years, they would show up as a secret riding spot in many early freeride videos and edits. In 2013, though, the trails were finally turned into an official city park after years of lobbying by local riders and, especially, the Wasatch Area Freeride Trails Association.

Bobsled is a classic Salt Lake ride that provides a great all-mountain experience within minutes of downtown.

The ride begins at the 11th Avenue Park. From here there is a quick, if steep, pedal up the street to the Bonneville Shoreline Trailhead. It is possible to park at this trailhead, or to shuttle up to it, but the space is very limited. This broad trail will continue to climb for another mile or so. There are a few junctions in the trail, but you’ll simply continue straight ahead until you reach the Bobsled cutoff.

This is only one of many routes in the array of hiking trails west of Boulder, part of the city's unique Open Space and Mountain Parks system. The trailhead is easily accessed on the edge of town, and in turn links up with many other trails in the area, including Enchanted Mesa, Skunk Canyon, Royal Arch, and Chautauqua.

Mount Sanitas is a prominent summit just west of Boulder, Colorado, that is easily accessed from downtown after a relatively short and moderately challenging hike. Much of the trail is steep rock stairs, but views are great all along the trail, and the summit is especially rewarding. In addition to the expansive panorama over all of Boulder and nearby cities, getting to the top provides a vantage over the Front Range high country and Rocky Mountain peaks to the west. The rocky summit is a great place to enjoy a picnic, and ponderosa pines provide welcome shade here and there.

The South Boulder Creek Trail System is a part of Boulder's Open Space and Mountain Parks system. Although there are multiple access points, Bobolink Trailhead is one of the most convenient to downtown, and it is the only place that offers quick access to both the north and south ends of the trail. If street parking is full, a designated parking lot is located on Cherryvale Road just south from Boulder Road. You can also get to the park via city buses.

The McLeod Lake Trail is an easy and surprisingly underused hike to quickly access a picturesque and serene Sierra alpine lake.

The trailhead is accessed at the end of Lake Mary Road and shares a parking lot with the dwindling Horseshoe Lake. The effects of California’s drought can’t be missed here. You're also sure to notice hundreds of acres of dead trees, a result of carbon dioxide that seeps from the ground near Mammoth Mountain, which is a relatively young volcano.

This is an impressive arch very close to Moab. Even though the trip from town is only a 15-minute drive and a 15-minute hike, it is unknown to most because of its location, unmarked and hidden from the road.