Darby’s Top Reasons to Love this Hike:

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1. This trail is the southern end of the Mesa Trail system, which connects towards NCAR and Chautauqua. There are so many trails in this system, you could go for a short hike, or an all day hike if you’re ambitious. Take a 4 mile loop: Mesa Trail to Big Bluestem to Homestead or Towhee (no dogs on Towhee).  Or a bigger loop, including Shadow Canyon. Or try the trails connecting to the north, via the Mesa Trail: Mallory Cave, Bear Canyon, Fern Canyon, Shanahan Ridge, Skunk Canyon, Enchanted Mesa, Kohler Mesa, McClintock (no dogs allowed on McClintock). Link to South Mesa maps here.

2. You can loop around to Big Bluestem and to Homestead/Towhee trails, or continue to Shadow Canyon for a bigger loop (dogs on leash on the Homestead trail).

3. Most of the trail I can be off leash and sometimes there is a little water to splash in the South Boulder Creek.

4. You can park on at the Chautauqua end or the Eldorado Canyon end and walk from one end to another for a longer, but not very strenuous hike. Approximately 7 miles in length.

5. This popular trail is perfect for hikers and runners. No bikes or horses allowed.

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County: Boulder

Round Trip Length: Varies

Start and End Elevation: Varied Elevation Changes

Skill Level: Easy to Moderate

Pet Regulations: Dogs Allowed Off Leash OSMP Dog Regulations

Weather: Spring through Winter

Bikes: No

Picnic Tables: Yes

Restroom : Yes, in the parking lot

A copy of the South Mesa trail can be found here.

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Directions: From 93 south of Boulder: Go west on Eldorado Drive. The parking lot is just past the 2nd Prado Drive on the right. To the left is a parking lot for the Dowdy Draw Trail