Mt Sanitas Loop Trail, Mt Sanitas Trailhead - Mapleton Road, Boulder - Denver - Golden - Fort Collins - Lyons, Colorado
Mt Sanitas Loop Trail - 3.1 miles
Mt Sanitas Trailhead - Mapleton Road
| Round-Trip Length: | 3.1 miles |
| Start-End Elevation: | 5,520' - 6,843' (6,843' max elevation) |
| Elevation Change: | +1,323' net elevation gain (+1,357' total roundtrip elevation gain) |
| Skill Level: | Moderate-Strenuous |
| Dogs Allowed: | Yes |
| Bikes Allowed: | No |
| Horses Allowed: | No |
| Related Trails: |
Mt Sanitas Loop Trail - 3.1 Miles Round-Trip
Tectonic forces along northern Colorado's front range created ripples that forced rock layers to bulge and compress, creating anticlines - or convex folds on the earth's surface. As the bulging anticlines' softer sediments eroded, only hard ridges - known as Hogbacks - remained from previously rounded hilltops between the eastern plains and Rocky Mountain uplift.
Mt Sanitas is one such formation that stands above all others in central Boulder, Colorado.
The Mt Sanitas West Ridge Trail and Sanitas Valley Trail form a short but challenging loop to its rugged summit, and along its east face. The following description begins on Mapleton Road and travels clockwise from the West Ridge to Sanitas Valley Trail:
Cross the bridge and turn left twice to pick up the Mt Sanitas West Ridge Trail. The trail climbs steeply and ruggedly for .85 miles before moderating on a thin ridge with good southwest views across Sunshine Canyon and Chautauqua Park.
It bends north on the final approach to the Mt Sanitas summit (1.2 miles : 6,843'). Space is limited, but easy to maneuver about for panoramas of the foothills, plains and Continental Divide.
The trail continues north and drops abruptly down rugged, tightly-wound switchbacks. You'll negotiate several sparingly marked switchbacks through car-sized boulders (1.4 miles) before turning sharply south (1.65 miles).
The trail edges back east through open space to the Sanitas Valley Trail (1.95 miles : 6,080'). This wide fire road glides gently south between Dakota Ridge and the east face of Sanitas.The Sanitas Valley Trail completes the loop and leads back to all parking areas on Mapleton Road.
Extend travel by diverting on and off one of three spurs for the adjacent Dakota Ridge Trail.
Interactive GPS Topo Map
Key GPS Coordinates - DATUM WGS84
- N40 01.242 W105 17.649 — 0.0 miles : Mt Sanitas Trailhead
- N40 01.957 W105 18.283 — 1.05 miles : Bending north on summit approach
- N40 02.062 W105 18.314 — 1.2 miles : Mt Sanitas summit
- N40 02.067 W105 18.234 — 1.4 miles : Marked switchbacks on descent
- N40 02.152 W105 17.935 — 1.95 miles : Merge with Sanitas Valley Trail - fire road
- N40 01.744 W105 17.840 — 2.05 miles : Dakota Ridge Trail (northernmost access)
- N40 01.242 W105 17.649 — 3.1 miles : Mt Sanitas Trailhead
Worth Noting
- Parking is limited at the trailhead, and street regulations are strictly enforced.
- Coyote, fox, mule deer and raptors are commonly seen on the Mt Sanitas Loop Trail. Though rarely encountered, mountain lion, bear and rattlesnakes also inhabit this area. Be mindful of your surroundings, especially at dawn and dusk.
- Mt Sanitas was named after the sanitarium (health spa) that is now the Mapleton Medical Center.
- Sandstone was quarried here for original buildings on the CU campus.
Rules and Regulations
- Dogs must be leashed in the parking and trailhead areas. Beyond the trailhead, dogs must be leashed unless they meet Voice and Sight Control Standards and display a City of Boulder Voice and Sight Tag.
- Climbing and bouldering are permitted from three designated access points along the Mt Sanitas West Ridge Trail (southern portion of loop). Respect seasonal closures for nesting raptors.
- Bicycles are not permitted on the Mt Sanitas Loop Trail.
Directions to Trailhead
The Mt Sanitas Trailhead is located on Mapleton Ave in Boulder, Colorado.
From Boulder, take Broadway to Mapleton Road and turn west. The Mt Sanitas Trailhead and roadside parking area is located just past the Mapleton Memorial Hospital on the north side of the road.
Contact Information
City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks
Phone: 303-441-3440
http://www.bouldercolorado.gov/
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