Hiking Betasso Preserve with the boys

Tyler and Cody had the day off from school today, so we woke up early and headed to Betasso Preserve for a hike.

We didnt manage to hike that far today, but both Cody and Tyler spotted a lot of animals on the trail.

The boys at the start of the trail..

Walking down the trail

Ready for our closeup

Wildlife..

Fathers Day Hike - Three Boulder Peaks in under 4 hours !!

May 2009, Steffen and I completed 3 boulder peaks in under 5 hours. This year we redid the same trail and managed to complete it in under 4 hours...

We left at 6:23am from Gregory Canyon trailhead and reached the top of Green Mountain (2.7 miles) in 1 hour 10 minutes. after another 1 hour 5 minutes we made it to Bear Mountain (2.75 miles), then 18 minutes later we made it to the top of South Boulder (0.7 miles) , so technically 2 and a half hours to do all three peaks !!

Another 80 minutes of descending the last 3.3 miles saw us finish the hike at 10:16am.

This is 9.45 miles in 233 minutes or 2.5mph

According to the heart monitor, I burned 2,249 calories so enough to cover my steak for Fathers day, and an average hear rate of 115, peaking at 152 bpm

Here is the heart rate track

Three Boulder Peaks in under 5 hours !!

There are three major peaks in Boulder Mountain Parks, Green Mountain, Bear Peak and South Boulder Peak. Due to their close proximity (8 miles start to finish) it is possible to do them all in 1 day, so Steffen and Alan got up early to hike three peaks on Sunday Morning.

6:20am: starting at Gregory Canyon Trailhead, we went up Ranger Trail then E.M. Greenman to top out on Green Mountain 8,144 feet in 1 hour 20 minutes.

A few minutes break, then down Green bear, you can see the mountains ahead of you.

Onto Bear Peak west ridge (the hardest part of the day) and scramble onto Bear Peak 8,461 feet at 9am

A few minutes rest to admire the view before crossing the saddle and heading up to South Boulder Peak 8,549 feet at 9:25. After spending 10 minutes to admire the view


Last time we visited it was cold and covered in snow we headed back down the saddle and then shadow canyon onto homestead trail to finish at 10:50am. Three peaks in 4 and a half hours is quite a workout. On the way home we discussed how much quicker we could of done it. Running it could be a lot quicker, but a good target for hiking would probably be 4 hours..

Third hike of 2009 - Meyers Homestead

We have been to Walker Ranch many times to hike, but have never taken this side route that follows the old Meyers Homestead trail. This is a gentle 5 miler that has 500 foot elevation gain and ends overlooking Boulder Canyon and the continental divide.
Alan, Sabrina, Damith, Dave and Tony were the intrepid 5 who undertook this trail, with the thought that once complete they could partake of Pho (Duy) back in Broomfield...
Great views at the end of the trail, and nice weather to complete the hike

Start of the trail

Second Hike of 2009 - South Boulder Peak

Steffen and Alan decided they would do a quick hike early Sunday Morning. What would be better than attempting South Boulder Peak which at 8,549 feet is the tallest in Boulder County just edging out Bear Peak which we did last year. Only problem was the clocks changed and Alan was going to do a second hike that day with Damith, Sabrina, Dave and Tony.

We met at the TH at 6:30 and were hiking by 6:35, starting elevation of 5,645 feet. It was still dark so we needed headlamps for the first forty minute or so. The first few miles were easy, then it climbs close to 2,000 feet in a little over a mile.

At 8am we had planned to turn around, due to the second hike, but we were very close to the saddle, and Sabrina called to ask about carpooling so I requested a 30 minute extension to complete this hike.

Once we made it to the saddle the ground was covered in snow and ice which made the journey to the summit harder than expected.





We made it to the top just before 8:30, stopped to take a few pictures then hurried down the trail, sliding in a few places where snow was icy until we made it back to the car around 9:45.

Should be able to shave some time off the trip next time...

First Hike of 2009 - Eldorado Springs

Tyler has been telling us for some time that he wants to hike a 14er, so we decided to start early in the season to build his strength up. The MLC gang also wanted to hike as well so we chose a nice and simple one to start.


A group picture at the trailhead


A quick family photo op

Tyler did pretty well and is looking forward to his next one..

Tyler on the trails!

Tyler also liked his new sunglasses and kept them on for a change

What a cutie!!