City: Boulder, CO

Category: Parks & Recreation

Description: South of the Brainard Lake area in the Arapaho Peaks area you’ll find two very popular trailheads: Hessie and Fourth of July, 8 and 12 miles, respectively, west of Nederland. To reach these trailheads from Boulder, drive to Nederland via Boulder Canyon. From the southwest end of Nederland, follow Highway 72 to the town of Eldora, where CR 130 begins at the west end of town. So popular are these trails—and with good reason—that it’s hard to find a parking place on weekends, so weekday hiking is recommended. The left fork leads to the old town site of Hessie, 1.5 miles west of Eldora, now just an old cabin or two. The short road to Hessie (and the trailhead) is usually underwater and not passable by ordinary passenger cars. So park where permitted along the road. Observe the no parking signs, because they’re strictly enforced, and cars are towed. Reach the Fourth of July trailhead via the right fork of CR 130.