Book Release Party & Group Hike for MOON COLORADO HIKING: SUN. MAY 12, 2024
After two years of hiking, writing, and editing, my new book, “Moon Colorado Hiking: Best Hikes Plus Beer, Bites, and Campgrounds Nearby” is finally out! Come celebrate with me by hiking the Hogback Trail then, following the advice in my book, pairing that hike with a cold beer at Upslope Brewing’s Tap Room on Lee Hill Road. Let’s go! RSVP ON THIS FACEBOOK EVENTS PAGE.
What: MOON COLORADO HIKING BOOK RELEASE CELEBRATION WITH HIKE AND BEERS!
Date: Sunday, May 12, 2024
Time: Group Hike Hogback Trail 1:45-3:45pm; Book release party at Upslope 4-6pm
Location: UPSLOPE BREWING Lee Hill Tap Room, Barrel Room
Address: 1501 Lee Hill Dr, Boulder, CO 80304
Catering: Beverages only, feel free to go out for dinner afterward
Group Hike of Hogback Trail:
Let’s meet at the main Foothills Trailhead at 1:45pm, so we can be hiking by 2pm. Here is the location of the trailhead: https://maps.app.goo.gl/tJBg4VN588MuJBui8
Here is the AllTrails description of the moderate 2.8-mile loop trail: https://www.alltrails.com/…/colorado/hogback-ridge-trail
Excerpt from MOON COLORADO HIKING:
Location: Boulder
Summary: This loop at the northern tip of town has some steep sections, interesting traverses, views of Boulder, and is a perfect sunrise spot.
Distance: 2.8-mile loop
Duration: 2 hours
Elevation Change: 816 feet
Effort: Moderate
Trail: Rocky dirt path up, narrow and steep in places
Users: Hikers, trail runners
Season: year-round
Passes/Fees: none
Contact: City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP, 2520 55th St, Boulder, 303/441-3440, bouldercolorado.gov)
Description: Locals affectionately call the north-south rocky fin where the plains meet the mountains the “hogback” (it’s also a geology term). It’s the first of a series of foothills that lead up to the high peaks of the Rockies. This short but sturdy trail in NoBo (North Boulder) is always less crowded than other Boulder spots.
Start the Hike
Mile 0.0-0.5: Foothills Trailhead to Hogback Loop Trail Junction – From the Foothills Trailhead, a tunnel takes you under Highway 36 and then west up the hill, beginning with a steady but forgiving incline toward the first ridge of the foothills. There is sparse, desert-like vegetation in this rocky section of the trail, including fields of tall grass (usually tan, but briefly green in the spring).
Mile 0.5-1.1: Hogback Loop Trail Junction to First Ridge – After a few minutes walking west, with Boulder’s northernmost subdivision visible on your left, you’ll come to a sign for the Hogback Loop Trail; here, you’ll decide which direction to travel. Heading right (north) starts with a more gradual ascent, while forking left starts with a steeper climb. I’m usually a clockwise kind of guy, so I veered left, began the climb, and paused to catch my breath at a slight plateau on the first sub-ridge, which is a perfect photo-op of Boulder.
Mile 1.1-1.9: First Ridge to high point – From the plateau, the trail heads north straight uphill, including some steep rock “stairs.” The trail grows rockier and narrows as it crests the ridge, goes down through a little hidden meadow (look for grazing deer or sometimes elk), and twists up to the fence line, then continues climbing due north along the back side of the ridge. There’s more vegetation and trees here and expansive views of the plains through gaps in the rock and at the high point, which is not marked. Look for the short side spurs that lead up to the ridge to longer views.
Mile 1.9-2.8: High point to Foothills Trailhead – After topping the high point, it’s downhill back to the front side, mostly a gentle, straight traverse back toward town. Keep an eye out for deer, hawks, and the occasional coyote if you come early enough in the day—this is a banger trail for sunrises!
Directions: Drive north on Highway 36, take a right on Broadway St., and turn left into the Foothills Trailhead parking lot. Alternatively, you can park in the subdivision on Dakota Blvd or 2nd St. and access the trail from that side. There isn’t an official trailhead here, but there is an obvious path through the fence that connects to the trail, just below where the loop begins. If taking public transportation, take the RTD Skip bus as far north as it will go, then walk north about 10 minutes or so, through the neighborhood to the alternate trail access described above.
Best Nearby: Upslope Brewery (1501 Lee Hill Dr, Boulder, 303/449-2911, www.upslopebrewing.com, 2pm–10pm daily) has an unassuming tap room tucked away in a little strip of stores at the northern tip of Boulder. It also features indoor/outdoor seating, delicious beers, and sometimes a food truck and/or live music.