City: Boulder, CO

Category: Parks & Recreation

Description: The Community Ditch Trail is a 4-mile dirt service road of moderate difficulty that travels through grasslands, mesas, and land with evidence of early farming and mining activity. Taken from the Marshall Mesa trailhead, this ride is a huff and a puff up the mesa, but riders will be rewarded with spectacular views of the mountains and a delightful flat ride along the flower-lined (in spring) mesa and the Community Ditch, which in warm weather invites a swim.You’ll find the trail south of Boulder, at the Doudy Draw trailhead on the south side of Highway 170, 1.7 miles west of Highway 93, or at the Marshall Mesa trailhead, 0.9 mile east of Highway 93 on the south side of Marshall Road.Cross Highway 93 (Broadway) and continue along the ditch winding back among the cottonwoods. To make a nice loop back to Boulder, head for the Doudy Draw trailhead at the junction of Community Ditch Bridge. At Doudy Draw trailhead you can choose between a side trip into Eldorado Springs (turn left on the paved highway) or turn right to return to Highway 93 to Boulder or the Marshall Mesa Trailhead. Eldorado Springs (about 2 miles) provides a chance to refuel with spring water, swim (in the summer) at Eldorado Springs Resort, graze at the snack bar, or gaze at the daring rock climbers in the state park (303-494-3943) climbing the impressive Bastille and other formations. To return to Boulder or the Marshall Mesa trailhead, ride back out to Highway 93 on the Eldorado Springs road, crossing at the light and continuing straight into the tiny settlement of Marshall. The trailhead is just a little farther east on Marshall Road. If you choose the reverse direction, starting at the Doudy Draw trailhead, go left (east) at the junction of Community Ditch Bridge and the dirt road you’re on. The trail crosses Highway 93 and goes to the Marshall Reservoir inlet and up a steep hill to the Marshall Mesa Trailhead.