Mesa Trail
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Recreation Trails Mesa Trail
Mesa Trail is a long trail running through the foothills of Boulder along the front of the Flatirons, mountain peaks, and related rock formations. Mesa Trail connects with a vast array of other trails in this area and is a sort of "backbone" for this trail system. The trail runs from Bluebell Shelter at Chautauqua Park all the way to Eldorado Canyon. Along the way you'll pass through six canyons and a variety of habitats. Because of the habitat diversity, the variety of flowers and wildlife along this trail is excellent. Signs are generally pretty good along the trail where it meets other trails.
4 trailheads provide good access to Mesa Trail including Chautauqua Park, the NCAR trailhead, the Shanahan trailhead, and Eldorado Canyon.
- Trail Stats
- Connections
- Photos
- Directions
Distance |
6.9, One way |
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 - Moderate Easy 864, but 1400 total gain/loss one way 5600 6465 5600 Restrooms, Grills None Not Accessible No Yes Yes None NA / Unknown NA / Unknown |
Feet Feet Feet Feet
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Highlights |
Long trail along the foothills in front of the Flatirons providing a nice natural setting with great views of the Boulder Valley |
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Comments |
While elevation change is minimal, the trail has a lot of ups and downs. |
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Connects to Bluebell - Baird trail at it's north end at Bluebell Shelter. |
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McClintock / Enchanted Mesa |
Mesa Trail connects to the McClintock & Enchanted Mesa areas at it's north end in Chautauqua. |
The NCAR Trailhead connects to Mesa Trail via a short connecting trail at the NCAR Plateau and is a great spot to connect to the central portion of Mesa Trail. |
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Chautauqua Trail intersects Bluebell - Baird, which begins at Bluebell Shelter and heads north from the end of Mesa Trail. |
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Skunk Canyon intersects Mesa Trail just north of the connection to Mesa Trail from the NCAR trailhead. |
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Bear Canyon and Bear Peak are accessed via a trail intersection on Mesa Trail a bit south of where the NCAR connection meets Mesa Trail. |
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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. |
Mallory Cave Trail heads west from an intersection just behind NCAR where the NCAR connection meets Mesa Trail. |
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The trail to Royal Arch begins at the Bluebell Shelter area. |
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Fern Canyon |
Fern Canyon Trail intersects Mesa Trail further south of the Bear Canyon intersection and also provides access to Bear Peak. |
Shanahan North & South |
The north and south Shanahan Trails head east off of Mesa Trail in between Eldorado Canyon and the NCAR Trailhead. |
Big Bluestem Trail |
Big Bluestem Trail pulls off to the east a little less than 2 miles south of Bear Canyon. |
Shadow Canyon - South Boulder Peak |
Shadow Canyon and South Boulder Peak are accessed from Mesa Trail near the north end of the Towhee Homestead loop at the southern portion of Mesa Trail. |
Towhee Homestead Loop |
Mesa Trail meets with the Towhee & Homestead trails at it's south end in Eldorado Canyon. |
View North between NCAR and Chautauqua on Mesa Trail
Mesa Trail segment heading south
Mesa Trail segment in the region behind NCAR
Mesa Trail area in light snow
Wildflowers & Thistles decorate Mesa Trail spring through fall
Photos courtesy of J. Thomas Colorado Photographer - All Rights Reserved©
Directions to Mesa Trail
There are numerous ways to connect to Mesa Trail. Listed here are the four best trailheads for Mesa Trail access.
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. Mesa Trail begins at Bluebell Shelter at Chautauqua.
Directions to the NCAR Trailhead
NCAR is at the west end of Table Mesa Dr. Table Mesa is easily accessed from Broadway/CO 93. Drive slowly on the road in as it often has bicyclists and deer on it. Mesa Trail is access from a connector at the NCAR trailhead.
