Some thoughts and discussions from me.

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A couple weekends ago Shane and I met Heather at Gregory Canyon for a hike around the Green Mountain/Chautauqua area. Gregory Canyon is a short, but steep hike that provides a moderately challenging hike surrounded by abundant pine trees!

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Gregory Canyon Trail is primarily a rocky trail, so although it’s nice and shaded, you don’t have to worry too much about lots of mud. There were a few muddy areas, but nothing we couldn’t get around. The trail gains 900 feet in elevation in 1.1 miles, so it provides a pretty good cardiovascular workout. I was breathing pretty heavy, but that could have also been due to chatting the entire way up and down with my new friend Winking smile

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I also stopped to take in the views of the canyon, as well as the smells of the trees. I love, love, love tree-lined hikes. They just smell so GOOD!

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We stopped where Gregory Canyon Trail ended (you can tell because the ground immediately levels out) but if we would have kept going, we could have continued through Ranger Trail through the woods. Ranger trail first provides a slight incline, and then further a steep incline of almost 1,200 feet in 1 mile. From here you can take the Green Mountain Trail to the summit of Green Mountain. Unfortunately we had to keep it short because we had a lot to do the rest of the day. Next time!

What I Loved About Gregory Canyon Trail:

  • The trees!
  • Lack of mud
  • Various colors of rocks
  • The distance for a quick afternoon hike

What You Should Know:

  • It’s part of Boulder OSMP, but it does cost $5 for parking, and parking might be limited on a nice weekend day. I’m pretty sure we got the last possible spot there!
  • Watch out for poison ivy. Stick to the trail! I’ve never gotten poison ivy, and I’d like to keep it that way Winking smile
  • Restrooms are available at the trailhead.

Gregory Canyon Trailhead

Distance: 2.2 miles round trip

Difficulty: moderate-difficult

Starting elevation: 5,856 feet

Elevation gained: 6,756 feet

Duration: approximately 1.5 hrs

Dogs allowed: Yes

Bikes allowed: No

Getting there: Take Baseline west past Chautauqua Park until the road turns into Flagstaff Rd. You will see a sign for Gregory Canyon Trailhead on your left.

And now it’s time to brave the snow roads and go teach a core class! Can you believe we were sweating and getting sun burned on Sunday and then today it’s back to snowy and cold?? Crazy Colorado weather.

Have you ever gotten poison ivy?