Every time I hike up Shadow Canyon I feel it’s been far too lengthy for the reason that final time I hiked as much as South Boulder Peak. It’s a wonderful and difficult hike that I don’t do sufficient occasions every year.
For many hikers, and particularly these coming from decrease elevations, that is going to be a tough hike. Shadow Canyon path shortly turns into a protracted, steep, and hard climb. For a lot of, it’s a leg burner.
The hike begins basically begins on the the place the plains meet mountains. The trailheads are South of downtown Boulder. Begin on the Homestead path and hike to Shadow Canyon path. Right here you’ll enter a wonderful forest with large Boulders in Shadow Canyon. There are cool views of Satan’s Thumb half manner up. The path ends at South Boulder Peak summit, a pile of huge scattered rocks the place you may soak up spectacular mountain views in all instructions.
Why hike South Boulder Peak?
South Boulder Peak is the very best peak of the Boulder Skyline traverse and gives distinctive views. To the North you see Bear Peak and Inexperienced Mountain. On to the West are spectacular views of the Continental Divide and Indian Peaks Wilderness Space. To the Northwest you may see the tallest peaks in Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park. Mount Meeker and Longs Peak most distinguished.
Shadow Canyon is commonly quiet and peaceable. It’s a nice hike if you wish to get away from the extra crowded trails close to Chautauqua.
A lot of Shadow Canyon is densely forested and gives a couple of hours of fine shade in the course of the hotter Summer season months.
You’ll be able to mix the South Boulder Peak hike with a Bear Peak hike if you need extra. These two summits are simply 30-45 minutes aside relying in your tempo. Doing each peaks creates a fuller day on the paths in stunning Boulder, Colorado. If you would like, you may go even additional to Inexperienced Mountain, and over to Mount Sanitas – this is able to shut off an entire Boulder Skyline Traverse hike.
I like mountain climbing up Shadow Canyon to South Boulder Peak as a result of it’s a nice exercise. It would burn your quads. The South Boulder Peak hike is a superb different to doing Fern Canyon to Bear Peak summit – each will get your legs prepared for much more difficult excessive alpine hikes.
These are my prime purpose to do the South Boulder Peak hike!
The place to begin – South Boulder hike trailheads
These are one of the best trailheads to begin the South Boulder Peak hike.
South Mesa – Conventional trailhead to do South Boulder Peak by itself
Cragmoor Connector – Good trailhead for South Boulder Peak + Bear Peak combo
Bear Canyon – Good trailhead for South Boulder Peak + Bear Peak combo
When to hike South Boulder Peak
You’ll be able to hike to South Boulder Peak hike all yr spherical. I’ve hiked South Boulder Peak in all seasons. My favourite time to do that hike is in Spring or early Summer season and that’s my advice. The fields are inexperienced, and wild flowers pop. Climbing in Boulder is especially stunning in Might and June.
When to not hike South Boulder Peak
Keep away from mountain climbing to the summit of South Boulder Peak in stormy climate. That is the first concern. Within the Spring and Summer season afternoon thunderstorms can happen. Lightning induced a wildfire on the West facet of Bear Peak and South Boulder Peak that you’ll discover. Keep away from publicity to lightning. Winter storms can be a hazard, particularly publicity to wind, chilly, and hypothermia.
Test the climate report earlier than you begin your hike.
Problem score
This hike is rated laborious. It’s troublesome, and can be difficult for many hikers. Shadow Canyon is sort of a lengthy rocky staircase.
Whole distance and elevation
Relying on the route you select, the hike to South Boulder Peak can be roughly 8 miles complete distance and 3000 toes of complete elevation acquire.
Under are hyperlinks to a few of my GPS recordings.
Climbing time
How lengthy does it take to hike South Boulder Peak? Relying in your tempo, health degree, and the route chosen, the hike will take most hikers 4 to 6 hours.
Terrain
The paths that result in South Boulder Peak are dry dusty dust and rocky all the way in which to the summit. The upper you go, the extra technical, difficult, and rocky the paths get. Good traction is vital.
Gear Advisor
All trails to South Boulder Peak are rocky so you want footwear that protects your toes and gives good traction. Light-weight mountain climbing footwear or path trainers designed for rugged terrain work greatest for all South Boulder Peak hikes.
I like to recommend footwear which have lug treads of not less than 3-5mm depth so that you just received’t be slipping round.
South Boulder Peak hike: Routes and Instructions
The commonest path to do South Boulder Peak is through Shadow Canyon. I additionally hike to South Boulder Peak through Fern Canyon and Bear Peak first.
South Boulder Peak hike through Shadow Canyon
The standard start line to do South Boulder Peak by itself is the South Mesa trailhead. From this trailhead, take Homestead path or Mesa path to Shadow Canyon path. Observe Shadow Canyon path as much as the saddle between South Boulder Peak and Bear Peak. Flip left (South) and switchback up through South Boulder Peak path to the summit. Discover a good rock, sit again, and take within the wonderful views!
That is my recording of this route:
You’ll be able to add on Bear Peak summit to your South Boulder Peak hike if you wish to lengthen your day in paradise. As talked about, these two peaks are simply 30-45 minutes aside. This is able to add an additional hour or two to your day. From South Boulder peak summit, descend again all the way down to the saddle, after which hike North on Bear Peak path. As you get nearer to Bear Peak summit, you’ll discover Bear Peak West Ridge path meets Bear Peak Path. You’re simply West and under of Bear Peak Summit. Proceed North and East (round to the best) the place Fern Canyon Path meets firstly of the ultimate scramble to Bear Peak summit.
South Boulder Peak and Bear Peak hike as a loop
If you wish to cowl extra trails, and expertise extra canyons, you you may do South Boulder Peak and Bear Peak in a loop.
Begin at Cragmoor Connector trailhead. Take Shanahan North Fork path to Mesa Path. Observe Mesa Path South to Shadow Canyon Path. Observe Shadow Canyon Path as much as South Boulder Peak. Descend South Boulder Peak and take Bear Peak Path over to Bear Peak summit. Return down Fern Canyon Path and shut the loop to the trailhead.
You too can do an out and again by mountain climbing Bear Peak first after which over to South Boulder Peak second. From Bear Canyon trailhead, hike up Fern Canyon to Bear Peak summit. Then hike over to South Boulder Peak through Bear Peak path and South Boulder Peak path. Retrace your steps to the trailhead. You possibly can additionally do that loop beginning at Cragmoor Connector.
Ultimate ideas
South Boulder Peak is a superb problem, and has wonderful views of Boulder and Denver, Pikes Peak to the South, Indian Peaks to the West, and Rocky Mountain Nationwide Park to the North. Shadow Canyon is absolutely cool, peaceable, and enchanting.
Make it a full day of mountain climbing in Boulder, Colorado. Begin by mountain climbing South Boulder Peak, take into account including Bear Peak for an even bigger day, and if you need probably the most journey do the Boulder Skyline Traverse that features all 5 peaks that backdrop Boulder.
Images on my South Boulder Peak hikes in stunning Boulder Colorado!
