Bluebell Mesa - Baird Trail
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Recreation Trails Bluebell - Baird & Bluebell Mesa Trails
Bluebell Baird Trail is part of the Chautauqua Park area and connects Gregory Canyon to the Bluebell Shelter in Bluebell Canyon. The bulk of the trail is in Ponderosa forest with a section of dense Sumac that is a wonderful red color in the fall.
Bluebell - Baird trail serves as a primary connecting trail for a variety of other trails in this area and you are likely to cross it or use part of it pretty often when hiking in the Chautauqua area. Bluebell - Baird provides access to the trail for the first & second flatirons, connects with the main Chautauqua trail, and has a nice loop called Bluebell Mesa trail that pulls off of it and loops back around to Chautauqua trail, giving a nice stroll with a great view. A nice loop to make from it is to head up Chautauqua trail from the Chautauqua parking area, veer left at the first trail which is ski jump trail, follow ski jump trail to Bluebell - Baird, and complete the loop returning to Chautauqua trail via Bluebell Mesa. If followed to Bluebell Shelter, you can connect to Mesa Trail and the Royal Arch Trail.
- Trail Stats
- Connections
- Photos
- Directions
Distance |
0.7, one way. Gregory Canyon area to Bluebell Shelter. |
Miles |
Physical Difficulty Technical Difficulty Elevation Gain Starting Elevation Max. Elevation Min. Elevation Facilities Fees Wheelchair Use Mountain Bikes Dogs Horses Fishing Snowshoe X-Country Ski Agency Trail Map |
Easy Easy 200 5800 6000 5800 Restrooms at Chautauqua Ranger Cottage None at Chautauqua, fee at Gregory Canyon Not accessible No Yes, popular area for dogs. Yes None Yes NA / Unknown |
Feet Feet Feet Feet
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Highlights |
Access to many trails in the Chautauqua area. Colorful red Sumac in the fall. |
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Comments |
This entire area is heavily trafficked, especially on weekends and is often populated by joggers. |
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Connects to Gregory Canyon at the north end of Bluebell Baird. Gregory Canyon trailhead can also be a starting point for Bluebell - Baird. |
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Amphitheater Trail |
Bluebell - Baird provides access to Amphitheater trail near the Gregory Canyon trailhead and picnic area. |
Chautauqua Trail intersects Bluebell - Baird, and also provides access indirectly via Ski Jump Trail and Bluebell Mesa Trail. |
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Ski Jump Trail |
Ski Jump Trail is a short connector (0.2 miles) between Chautauqua Trail and Bluebell - Baird Trail near the Gregory Canyon trailhead. |
Bluebell Mesa Trail |
Bluebell Mesa Trail pulls off east from Bluebell - Baird towards the Bluebell Shelter end of the trail and forms a 0.6 mile loop to connect to Chautauqua Trail. |
First & Second Flatiron Trail |
The trail to head up to the first & second flatirons pulls off west from Bluebell Baird toward the Bluebell Shelter end of the trail. |
Mesa Trail heads south from the Bluebell Shelter area. |
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The trail to Royal Arch begins at the Bluebell Shelter area. |
Bluebell Mesa Trail
Ponderosa forest along Bluebell Mesa Trail
Photos courtesy of J. Thomas Colorado Photographer - All Rights Reserved©
Bluebell - Baird trail connects Gregory Canyon to Bluebell Shelter. To get on the Bluebell - Baird trail you can start at Gregory Canyon or Bluebell Shelter, or hike up Chautauqua trail and intersect it. Bluebell Shelter can be accessed by parking at Chautauqua and heading up Bluebell road to the shelter.
Directions to Chautauqua Park
Chautauqua Park is off Baseline road at Grant, at the base of the mountains. There is a small parking area and more parking on Baseline road.
Directions to Gregory Canyon Trail
Gregory Canyon is accessed most rapidly by parking at the Gregory Canyon trailhead just at the base of Flagstaff Road, where Baseline Road becomes Flagstaff Road. However, there is an OSMP parking fee at the trailhead.
