ranger

Description: This beautiful out and back 2.8 mile trail traverses parts of Ponderosa pine forest, features great views, smooth surfaces, shade from the summer sun and gorgeous vistas of both Boulder and the Continental Divide.  While it rises over 600' over the course of 1.4 miles there are no difficult steep sections.  Stone and wood steps are found in three places but are short and shallow.  A new section added in early 2015 bypasses the damage caused by the 2013 flood.  This is an easy trail that just about everyone  can enjoy, especially during those summer months when it can be hot and crowded on the trails at Chautauqua.

Challenge Level: Moderately Easy, 2.8 Miles, 600' Elevation, 1.5-2 Hours.  Rated a moderately easy challenge for altitude, a short steep-ish climb on Ranger Trail and some short sections, rocky steps.  Lots of shade for resting and a great lookout for having snacks at the end before returning down the trail.

Driving Directions: Realization Point, Flagstaff Rd, Boulder, CO 80302.  15 minutes from downtown Boulder.  Head south to Baseline Rd.  Turn west.  Baseline turns into Flagstaff after Chautauqua Park and the road starts a steep climb.  About 3 miles from Chautauqua you will come to Realization Point.  There are lots of cyclists who climb Flagstaff Rd so please be careful and obey the 20 mph speed limit.  

Parking: Realization Point Parking Area, Flagstaff Rd and Flagstaff Summit Rd intersection.  Limited spaces, but more spaces up Flagstaff Summit Rd.  $5 fee for non-Boulder registered vehicles.

Trailhead: Go down the dirt road directly opposite Flagstaff Rd at the Realization Point sign about 100'.  You will see the trailhead marked with a sign for Green Mountain Lodge.

Trail Guide:  Once past the trailhead sign for Green Mountain Lodge you will quickly come to a trail split.  This is the new Gregory Canyon Trail section.  Stay right and you will soon come to a map board just in front of Green Mountain Lodge at about 0.3 miles.  Here you will stay to the left of the map sign, picking up Ranger Trail, which passes to the left of the lodge and enters the Ponderosa pines.  Follow Ranger as it ascends through the pines along a small feeder tributary of Gregory Creek.  This is the steepest section of the hike.  Just past a series of wooden steps you will come to the intersection of E.M. Greenman Trail at 0.7 mile point.  Here, turn back to the left on E.M. Greenman while Ranger continues on toward Green Mountain.  Greenman climbs for a short period and then levels out some as it winds its way around the north side of Green Mountain, crossing Gregory Creek.  There are a couple of very small, slight switchbacks after you step across Gregory Creek.  After these start looking to your left for some very impressive views of the Indian Peaks, Mt. Audubon, and the Continental Divide.  A short distance further you will come to an overlook at 1.4 miles where Greenman meets Saddle Rock Trail.  Take a well deserved rest in the shade and enjoy the views of Boulder.  A peak through the pines on the left on clear days will yield a majestic view of Boulder County's famed Long's Peak at 14,259'.  Once you have rested retrace your route back toward Ranger and then Realization Point.

Map Resources: Boulder Open Space Map

Après Hike: While the Ranger trail won’t take you high enough to experience the stunted ‘krumholtz’ pines at the timber line, you’ll definitely run into a few ‘twisted’ pines along the trail. In honor of their beauty I recommend Twisted Pine Brewery as a great après hike stop. Their Hoppy Boy, a standard favorite American Pale, has a nice balance of hops and malt. Feeling spicy? Try their Billy's Chilies beer, my lovely wife's choice! Twisted Pine is located at 3201 Walnut St, Boulder, CO 80301.

Picknicking:  Lots of options up on Flagstaff Summit.  There is a picnic table at Green Mountain Lodge at 0.4 miles.  Many people will take snacks with them to the lookout overview.  

Restrooms: Closest restrooms currently at Flagstaff Summit

Dog Friendly: Yes.

Cell Service: Good coverage.