Trails and Ales

Boulder Mesa Trail Loop hike -- is a good balance of distance and elevation - long enough for Camino walk and enough elevation gain for Norway hike. Join me for this awesome hike.
Highlights include stunning beauty, amazing vistas, and abundant wildflowers. Challenges noted are steep terrain.
details: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/boulder-mesa-trail-loop

Weather forecast for May 10: Few clouds, no rain - this may change....

Distance: 13.1 miles loop
Elevation gain: 2,201
Duration: 6.5 - 7 hrs approx.
Rating: Hard
No dogs please.

Meeting location and time: 8:00 am @TH
Royal Arch Trail Head, Chautauqua, 900 Baseline Rd, Boulder, CO 80302

Apres Optional:
Restaurant: TBD
---- Vilas (VLas)
M: 720-341-8006
*** Please do NOT show up if you are on the waitlist without contacting me directly. Text/call my mobile.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DISCLAIMER: Hiking is risky. Every year people are hurt and killed because they go beyond their abilities, get lost, or bring the wrong gear. I am not a professional guide. You are responsible for yourself. By signing up for this hike you acknowledge that you are solely responsible for your own safety and will do the necessary research to understand the conditions of this hike and the gear and conditioning required.
By signing up for this hike you also agree to relieve the event host of all responsibilities and liabilities for any incidents that may occur during the hike as well as any incidents that may occur traveling to and from the hike Meetup.

Join us for the 4-mile (~6.4K) course that curves through the Zoo, up to the Shrine of the Sun and back down into the Zoo, providing some of the most stunning views in the Pikes Peak region.

Plan on meeting up with the group for packet pickup and intros. Do NOT RSVP, if you do not plan to come see the group before and afterwards, as this is a meetup to experience a fun event together.

This annual Cheyenne Mountain Zoo tradition is an important fundraiser AND the only time of the year that guests are allowed to travel up the historic road to the Shrine of the Sun by foot.

Link to register:
Get all the details and register now at cmzoo.org/run.

You'll have a breathtaking experience as you journey through the Zoo and ascend nearly 1,000 feet, enjoying stunning views of Colorado Springs, Garden of the Gods and the city below. Participants also get a commemorative Run to the Shrine T-shirt and admission to the Zoo until the event ends at 8 p.m.

Schedule:
Plan to arrive early for parking to meet the group at the entrance before 5, so we can grab our shirts together and start the race shortly after 5pmish
5 - 8 p.m. | Race Expo (see info below)
5 - 6:30 p.m. | Start time window (there is no official start time)
6:30 p.m. | Course entrance closes
7:30 p.m. | Course closes to all runners/walkers; remaining participants will be cleared from the course in a race vehicle
8 pm. | Zoo closes (don’t forget to leave time to visit animals with us!)

Race Expo:
Lodge at Moose Lake | 5 - 8 p.m.
Pick up your runner T-shirt
Say hi to our amazing sponsors, vendors and volunteers.
Pick up your pledge gift if you raised $100 or more.
Purchase food and beverage next door at the Grizzly Grill.

Event location
4250 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Road
Colorado Springs, CO 80906

Capacity for Run to the Shrine is limited. Advance registration is required; no registrations available at the front gate.

Bring layers. The weather can change quickly on the mountain. We recommend bringing a warm removable layer and rain protection. Bonus points for picking up your commemorative T-shirt at the Race Expo before starting up the hill!
Bring your own hydration. There will be water stations at mile markers 1, 2 and 3 on the race course, but bring your own water/water bottle for access to constant hydration. (Remember the nearly 1,000 foot elevation gain!)

Bring your registration barcode and confirmation number with you the day of the event. Reception on the mountain is sometimes spotty, so print your confirmation ahead of time or take a screenshot to save paper.

Bring your ID if you have a senior, member or military ticket/registration. If proper ID is not provided, the remaining balance of a race-day ticket/registration will be charged at Admissions that day.

No refunds or exchanges after Friday, April 24, 2026. Refunds or exchanges for paid registrations can be granted up to two weeks prior to the event date. Please email specialevents@cmzoo.org to request a refund or exchange. (Please note: Race Roster processing fees are non-refundable.) Run to the Shrine will take place rain, snow or shine. No refunds or transfers for inclement weather.

Receive 100 or more in donations to Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, and receive our NEW Run to the Shrine race socks as a thank you! Or choose one of our legacy pledge gifts (quantities are limited and may not be available on race day): long-sleeve performance shirt, water bottle or Eco-Ware utensil set. Only one gift per runner. (Even if you don't think you'll raise extra funds for the Zoo, please choose a gift. You will receive the gift if 100 is raised in your name.)

Do not forget to update your RSVP, if you can no longer attend, so that we know whom to expect. Communication is key in all events.

I am not a trained leader, and by going to this event, you agree that you are responsible for your own safety and absolve me of any liability and have read the entire event description, as well as information on their link and email confirmation.

Thanks to their Run to the Shrine partners, Children’s Hospital Colorado, Drive Toyota, Raising Cane's and Scheels for their support! CMZoo is one of very few AZA-accredited zoos that does not receive tax support, so events like this help keep the Zoo 'running!'

We look forward to seeing you at Walk to the Shrine with us!

We will meet at the covered gazebo to do a quick circle of introductions and have a leisurely social hike to catch up on our week and meet some new friends along with old friends on a weekly basis!!!

Popular trail offering views of Denver, the Front Range and wildlife. Bluffs Regional Park Trail is a 2.8 mile loop trail located in Lone Tree that features beautiful wild flowers and is good for all skill levels. Two overlooks add about a half-mile each. Minimal elevation gain. Dog friendly, on-leash.

We can go longer than the 2.8 miles to visit Lonehenge, aka the stone benches, which adds about 1.6 miles to the hike.

Hopefully we’ll catch an amazing sunset!!

Afterwards, we’ll head over to Clock Tower Grill. They have a great happy hour food/drink menu until 7 pm. Nice covered/heated patio. We celebrate birthdays! Let us know, and we’ll get a slice of their awesome Oreo Ice Cream Cake to share!

Clock Tower Grill
9360 Station St, Unit 100
Lone Tree, CO 80124

In the interest of keeping things equitable and the group size manageable, along with minimizing our impact to other trail users, I ask for your consideration of the following. Thank you.

Please RSVP only if you intend to come. If your plans change, please update your RSVP in a timely manner so that someone on the waitlist can join. Cancellation policy is by the day prior to the event. Day-of drop for unforeseen circumstances is understood. Life happens.

If you are on the waitlist, please do not show up anyway, hoping a spot opens up. It’s not fair to others and goes against the spirit of things. Please feel free to meet us at CTG instead, posting a comment as such, so we know how many to plan for.

No guest RSVPs. All attendees are to RSVP with their own Meetup account.

We do this hike every Monday year-round, so there’s plenty of opportunity to join in the fun!!