Trail Description

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The Mesa Trail is Boulder's main north-south trail artery, tracing a lengthy section of its famous Flatirons, Front Range Foothills and Open Space areas. This popular 6.7 mile trail offers virtually everything an outdoor enthusiast could ask for: diverse terrain, 4-season utility, climbing access, trail running, multiple trail connections and abundant wildlife. Access to Green Mountain, Bear Peak, South Boulder Peak, Skunk Canyon, NCAR, Mallory Cave, Fern Canyon, Shadow Canyon and many other destinations provide dozens of routing options that vary in distance, difficulty and scenery.

You may begin the Mesa at either Chautauqua Park (north), or near the mouth of Eldorado Canyon (south). The following description begins at Chautauqua Park and travels south:

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The hike officially begins on Blue Bell Road, climbing .6 miles and 300' from the parking lot to its formal connection with The Mesa Trail. Bear left for a steady climb through uniform columns of lodgepole and ponderosa. The trail levels considerably just beyond the Kohler Mesa Trail junction (1.15 miles : 6,250'), emerging from the timber and winding about the foothills’ contours with good easterly views. This mild stretch is interrupted only once by a steep descent down tightly wound, reinforced mud-stairs (1.85 miles).

Once down the trail rises gradually through a spacious meadow past the Mallory Cave Trail junction (2.05 miles : 6,207’), momentarily re-enters a rolling forest and drops to the Mesa's brief convergence with a steep service road (2.4 miles) - bear right. The service road winds past the Bear Canyon (2.7 miles : 6,262’) and Fern Canyon (2.8 miles : 6,318') trail splits and veers off at a sparingly marked point to resume the Mesa Trail (2.85 miles : 6,338'). Here the Mesa moderates for 1.5 miles on undulating intervals of dense forest, small clearings and lengthy meadows. The Flatirons' imposing walls frame this beautiful section.

The trail moves quickly past connections for the North Shanahan (3.25 miles : 6,346') and South Shanahan (3.75 miles : 6,403') trails and drops abruptly to the Big Bluestem Trail junction (4.2 miles : 6,290'). The Mesa continues south, climbing steeply for a short distance before leveling out through sparse forest and grassy hillsides. The Mesa Trail passes 3 different access points for Shadow Canyon between 4.35 and 5.1 miles, all of which lead to South Boulder Peak.

The trail gradually tilts downhill and merges with another service road to begin a long, moderately steep descent to the South Mesa Trailhead. The forest soon yields to vast open space with sweeping views and useful perspective on this final section. From its south end, The Mesa Trail connects to the Towhee Trail, Homestead Trail, Big Bluestem Trail and South Boulder Creek Trail.

GPS Coordinates - DATUM WGS84

• N39 59.930 W105 16.970 - Chautauqua Park Trailhead

• N39 59.496 W105 17.119 - .6 miles : Bluebell Road - Mesa Trail junction

• N39 59.126 W105 17.157 - 1.15 miles : Mesa - Kohler Mesa Trail junction

• N39 58.677 W105 17.055 - 2.05 miles : Mesa - Mallory Cave Trail junction

• N39 58.268 W105 17.010 - 2.75 miles : Mesa - Bear Canyon Trail junction

• N39 58.176 W105 17.002 - 2.9 miles : Mesa - Fern Canyon Trail junction

• N39 58.163 W105 16.922 - 2.95 miles : Bear right off fire road onto Mesa

• N39 57.867 W105 16.766 - 3.35 miles : Mesa - North Fork Shanahan Trail junction

• N39 57.524 W105 16.823 - 3.85 miles : Mesa - South Fork Shanahan Trail junction

• N39 57.194 W105 16.812 - 4.3 miles : Mesa - Big Bluestem Trail junction #1

• N39 57.080 W105 16.927 - 4.45 miles : Mesa - Shadow Canyon split #1

• N39 56.806 W105 16.777 - 4.85 miles : Mesa - Shadow Canyon split #2

• N39 56.668 W105 16.605 - 5.15 miles : Mesa - Shadow Canyon split #3

• N39 56.743 W105 16.267 - 5.55 miles : Mesa - Towhee Trail junction

• N39 56.836 W105 15.967 - 5.7 miles : Mesa - Big Bluestem Trail junction #2

• N39 56.722 W105 15.798 - 6.1 miles : Mesa - South Boulder Creek Trail junction

• N39 56.573 W105 15.853 - 6.3 miles : Mesa - Towhee Trail junction #2

• N39 56.330 W105 15.490 - 6.7 miles : South Mesa Trailhead

Worth Noting

• Area wildlife includes deer, coyote, fox, bear, mountain lion, bobcat, bats, rattlesnakes and numerous raptor species. Be cognizant of wildlife activity updates, warnings and resulting trail closures or usage limitations.



• Parking lots fill up quickly throughout the year, especially on weekends; arrive early to secure a space. Parking restrictions on Baseline Road and Eldorado Springs Road are strictly enforced.

Fishing Information

• Fishing is permitted along South Boulder Creek near the South Mesa Trailhead. A Colorado State Fishing License is required.

Rules and Regulations

• All dogs must be leashed in the parking lot and trailhead area. Beyond the trailhead, dogs must be on a held leash unless they meet Voice and Sight Control Standards and display a City of Boulder Voice and Sight Tag.



• Horses are permitted on the Mesa Trail. Honor yield protocols.



• Mountain Bikes are not permitted on the Mesa Trail and its offshoots.



• Camping is not permitted in this area.



• Choke cherry, wild plum, berry, apple or flower picking on open space is illegal and strictly enforced.

Directions to Trailhead

From Boulder, take Baseline Road west of Broadway 1 mile to the Chautauqua Park entrance on the left hand side of the road.

From Denver, take I-25 North to HWY 36 towards Boulder. As you enter Boulder, turn left onto Baseline Road and turn left. Take Baseline Road for about 1-2 miles and Chautauqua Park will be on your left.

Contact Information

Boulder County Parks & Open Space
5201 St. Vrain Road
Longmont, Colorado 80503
Phone: 303.678.6200
Fax: 303.678.6180
www.co.boulder.co.us/openspace