Boulder's Main Peaks Series: Green Mountain

February 08, 2021

Boulder's Main Peaks Series: Green Mountain

Prior to creating this blog, I made the poor assumption that everyone living in Boulder knew everything about the local trail systems, they memorized each and every route to all of Boulder's major peaks, the variations of how to hike them, distances and time it would take to do each one. That everyone who got outside to exercise (especially runners) knows how to navigate the trails of the foothills like the back of their palm. But I was quickly to note that I was wrong. I just happened to have the skillset to pick up trail navigation quickly when outside exploring. Keep in mind I have the subtle trait of being a map hoarder. I borderline obsessively memorize local trails systems whenever I visit a new place. When I go for a hike, I'll know which point of the trail I'm on, the direction of local peaks nearby, lakes or anything you think of. My mine is like a walking topographic map.

There have been times while hiking in Boulder or Colorado, where a tourist will see a park ranger towards the top of a summit and ask them, "what mountains are those in the distance?" One time in particular the Park ranger actually couldn't tell him. Pointing his finger westward towards the snow dusted Indian Peak Wilderness. He was in-fact looking right at the continental divide itself. I had to pipe up. With a bit of enthusiasm I exclaimed, "Ahh well that's the Indian Peaks Range," I continued to explain that sharper peak was called "Lone Eagle Peak" and the more subtle, hilly looking one just to the north was actually a 13er named "Mount Audubon." The tourist sparked interest so I continued to share my knowledge," There are many nearby hotspot lakes sitting just below those peaks, Brainard Lake, Lake Isabell which streams off a glacier, and Lake Mitchell. If you have time it is worth coming back in the summer to visit that area."

Green Mountain 5 different ways:

time to get your green on...

There are several different ways to ascend to the top of Boulder's second largest peak, Green Mountain. Capping off at 8,150ft, you'll be greeted by a landscape of the southern sides of Rocky Mountain National Park, a prominent view of Longs Peak, the Indian Peaks Wilderness Range, James Peak Wilderness Range, and the valley of both Boulder & Denver County.

Ranging from the shortest distance and hopefully shortest hiking times to your longest, more rigorous paths up the mountain:

1. West side (secret side):

Distance RT: 2.66ish

Elevation gain: 759ft

Many know of the Green Mountain hike starting at Chautauqua's parking lot and Gregory Canyon lot. But if you follow the windy road up flagstaff, you'll arrive at a trail sign for Green Mountain West Ridge, here's the parking directions for it. The trail is an out and back up Green and is the best choice for getting to the top as quickly as possible taking the most mellow route.

2.) Gregory Canyon/Ranger Trail O&B:

The second way to approach Green is starting at Gregory Canyon Parking Lot (or easily parking on Baseline or Chautauqua's main lot and hiking over to the Gregory Lot). This version of Green can either be a 5.5 mile out and back or a counter clockwise loop as you please. The Out & Back version below will take you through Gregory Canyon for about 1.25 miles before turning left onto the Ranger Trail, passing the old trail lodge and continuing through the conifer filled forest to the top of green. Along the Ranger trail you will eventually come to a fork that will guide you either left or right to the top of Green. I personally prefer taking the right as it is a bit less technical and quieter but take whichever path you please. If you DO choose to go this way I would be aware that you will approach another sign post guiding you to the Green/Bear trail and Green West Trail but do not turn right that way, its a slight left to stick to the path up to the peak.

At the top you have the option to either go back the way you climbed up or to take the Amphitheater trail down. This is a direct route down but more technical so if technical terrain is not your thing, you can minimize it by going down the Ranger Trail and Gregory Canyon again.

Distance RT: 5.51 miles from Gregory Canyon Lot (Distance if cut down Amphitheater: 4.9miles if you start from Gregory Parking Lot) Elevation Gain: 2,366ft

3.) Green Mountain via Amphitheater Trail O&B: Distance: a little under 4 miles (3.95) with 2,259ft of elevation gain and loss from Gregory Canyon Parking Lot. This trail is by far the steepest but a beautifully fun hike. Be expected to pass boulders, large Ponderosa Pines, see views of the Indian Peaks Wilderness, feel the soft forest floors and scramble up a fun metal ladder along the way. It is possible to go up the Amphitheater and then do a clockwise circle down and back the Ranger trail and East on the Gregory Canyon trail, which would total about 5.5 miles and is a slightly more gradual descent.

Some Photos from Green Throughout the year: