Sugarloaf Mountain, CO
Sugarloaf Mountain Trail, CO
A relatively short (1.3 mile) moderate hike with epic panoramic mountain views, Sugarloaf Mountain Trail is a great place to go near Boulder, CO if you are looking for a short scenic hike. It’s a beautiful hike any time of the year, but especially in mid-July when an incredible medley of wildflowers adorn the mountain. With vibrant shades of pink, yellow, orange, and lavender the mountain is covered with precious new life including geraniums, paintbrushes, bee balms, and mariposa lilies. The mountain is home to many birds, deer and various woodland creatures, particularly chipmunks, which you can see running around the trail and even living at the very top of the summit. Small birds such as mountain chickadees and warblers live among the trees and the mountain is a frequent stop for hawks and other raptors passing by.
Sugarloaf Mountain is located about 10 miles west from downtown Boulder, CO in the Roosevelt National Forest. From Boulder take Boulder Canyon Drive (CO 119) to Sugarloaf Road to Sugarloaf Mountain Road. Turn right at the sign that says Switzerland Trail and that will take you up part of the mountain. When you arrive to the parking lot the trail will be up on your right side.
The trail to the summit begins in a densely wooded area, but as you ascend up the mountain, the landscape opens up and trees become sparse. Along the trail there is a fork. Bear left to continue up the main trail up to the summit. The trail to the right is very scenic but is not very well developed once you pass about 100 feet. When you reach the 8,917 foot summit, you will be greeted by the wide sweeping view of the Indian Peaks in front of you and Longs Peak just to the right. As you turnaround and look behind you, you can see the city of Boulder below out in the distance.
