HIKE CHANGED DUE TO WEATHER: Now South Mesa Hike near Boulder

SOUTH MESA, BLUESTEM, AND SHADOW CANYON LOOP

HIKE CHANGED DUE TO WEATHER.

Difficulty: about 6 miles with about 1,100 feet elevation gain.

**FEE PARKING: 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: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/south-mesa-bluestem-shadow-canyon-loop. If we have dogs, we will hike the Homestead Trail at the end. If no dogs, we will take the Towhee Trail at the end.

**DOGS ALLOWED IF FOLLOW PARK RULES: Part of the hike requires dogs on leash, but the remainder allows dogs off leash if you have a Boulder off-leash tag. See the following website for info on the off-leash tag: https://bouldercolorado.gov/services/voice-and-sight-program. Please be sure your dog is well behaved and can handle the length of the walk. Dog owners must clean up pet excrement. And here is the website showing dog regulations for each portion of the trail: https://maps.bouldercolorado.gov/osmp-dog-regs/**

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 Mesa Trailheads” 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.

**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.