South Mesa, Bluestem, Shanahan, Shadow Canyon, Homestead Loop

Difficulty: about 7.5 to 8 miles with about 1,450 feet elevation gain.

We hike as a group and hike at an average moving pace of about 2.5 to 3mph. Although the group may split up due to different hiking paces, everyone is expected to wait at all intersections & periodically otherwise so that we can regroup and so no one is left behind for safety purposes.

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. Here is a link to my self made hike in alltrails: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/map-march-6-2026-595cef0?u=i&sh=ittjkn

DOGS ALLOWED IF FOLLOW RULES: Dogs must be on leash for part of the trail. On other sections, your dog can be off leash if you have a voice & sight control tag. See https://bouldercolorado.gov/services/voice-and-sight-program
Please be sure your dog is well behaved and can handle the length of the hike. Dog owners must clean up pet excrement.

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) on the right hand side of the road. If you use Google Maps, you can type in “Parking Lot for the Mesa Trail South Trailhead” for directions. This alltrails route is not the exact hike we are doing, but the trailhead is the same so if you click directions on the following alltrails link, it will take you to the Trailhead: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/south-mesa-bluestem-shadow-canyon-loop
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, gaiters, 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.