South Boulder Peak Trail

South Boulder Peak is the highest point in Boulder's open space at 8,549 feet, the southern end of the Flatirons ridge, and the Shadow Canyon route to it is the steepest sustained climb in the system: 1,700 feet in a mile of boulders and steps up a dark canyon to a saddle, then a short scramble to the top. From the South Mesa trailhead it is about 7.5 miles round trip with 2,900 feet of gain, and Bear Peak is 20 minutes away across the saddle.

From the South Mesa trailhead, follow the Mesa Trail or the Homestead and Towhee trails northwest through meadow and ponderosa for about 2 miles to the Shadow Canyon junction near the stone ruins of the old McGilvray cabin. The Shadow Canyon trail enters the canyon and climbs at once: boulders, rock steps, and roots in deep shade, gaining 1,700 feet in about a mile with no relief.

The canyon tops out at the saddle between South Boulder Peak and Bear Peak. Turn left and climb the last quarter mile on rock through the burn scar to the summit, a jumble of boulders with the view south to Eldorado Canyon and the plains. Bear Peak is right from the saddle. Return the same way; the canyon is slow going down.

The South Mesa trailhead is on Eldorado Springs Drive (Colorado 170), 1.7 miles west of Highway 93 south of Boulder. The lot charges a daily fee for vehicles not registered in Boulder County, has a toilet, and fills by 8 AM on weekends. No permit.

Dogs are allowed on leash, or off leash with a Boulder voice-and-sight tag where the signs permit; the canyon is hard on them. Not a kid hike. Carry two liters; there is no water. Poles help in the canyon on the way down. Mountain lions use Shadow Canyon and the city posts sightings. Boulder is 15 minutes away. Bear Peak is the obvious addition from the saddle, and the Mesa Trail is the approach.