South Mesa, Bluestem, Shadow Canyon, Towhee Loop

I have a couple appointments & need to be done early. So let’s do an earlier quick hike from the South Mesa TH.

Difficulty: about 5.5 to 6 miles with a little over 1,100 feet elevation gain.

Hikes are always subject to date/time change or cancellation due to weather, trail conditions or closures, or other unforeseen circumstances.

FEE PARKING: Note that there is a $5 fee to park at the trailhead if your vehicle is not registered in Boulder County. I believe you must have exactly $5 cash to pay at the trailhead. Or you can pre-purchase. See details here: https://bouldercolorado.gov/services/osmp-parking-permits-and-fees

HIKE DESCRIPTION: This is a loop hike where we will enjoy good views across the eastern plains, Flatirons and mouth of Eldorado Canyon. The trail will wind through both open places and forested areas. In addition, we will pass the historic Doudy-DeBacker-Dunn homesite. Sylvester (Andrew) Doudy was the first settler in this area and built the original wooden portion of the house c. 1858. We will do the following hike in alltrails except we will take the Towhee Trail back instead of the Homestead Trail: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/south-mesa-bluestem-shadow-canyon-loop

DOGS: 🚫 Not allowed on the Towhee Trail. But if you want to take leave the group and take Homestead Trail at the end instead of Towhee, dogs are allowed there.

ADDRESS/DIRECTIONS: We will meet at the South Mesa Trailhead, which is 1.7 miles west of Hwy. 93 on Eldorado Springs Drive (Hwy. 170). To get there, you can click on the alltrails link above and click directions. If you use Google Maps, you can type in “Parking Lot for the Mesa Trail South Trailhead” for directions. If you use Apple Maps, you can type in “South Boulder Peak” for directions.
Note that when you are driving down Eldorado Springs Drive, the parking area is on the right. Do not park in the lot on the left unless the lot on the right is full, in which case you can park in the lot on the left and walk over.

We wait 5 minutes for late arrivals…but no longer as that is inconsiderate to those arriving timely. So please allow extra time to get to the trailhead.

IMPORTANT: This is a participate at your own risk event! Life is risky. I am not a professional guide and am simply hosting this event. By signing up for this hike you acknowledge that you are capable of performing this hike and that you are solely responsible for your own safety.

NO SHOWS: If you are a no-show to 2 hikes, you will be booted from this meetup group. So please change your RSVP to “not going” if you are unable to make it.

WHAT YOU SHOULD BRING: Water, snacks, layers of clothing, good hiking shoes/boots, sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, gloves, and anything else you deem essential. PLEASE ALSO BRING MICROSPIKES IN CASE WE NEED THEM!

WEATHER: Here is the NOAA forecast for the hike location. For hourly temps, wind, precipitation, etc., click “Hourly Weather Forecast” in the upper right. https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lon=-105.27838014115419&lat=39.95198564773318#.ZBNhsy9MFvI

REQUIRED WAIVER: If you have not already done so, you must sign the updated waiver with our new meetup name prior to this hike. I will have copies at the trailhead that you can sign or you may print, sign, and bring it with you from the following website: https://www.dropbox.com/s/p728z28jjuwdzws/Waiver%20Corona.pdf?dl=0
If you choose to sign at the trailhead, please arrive early so that we can depart for the hike timely.