Autumn Outings with Your Dog

Autumn Outings

WITH YOUR DOG By Bette Erickson

Some of the best Colorado dog-friendly hikes happen in the fall. The orange and golden hues illuminate the landscape in the most inviting way, while the autumn air is crisper, so that you and your canine companion will not get overheated.

If you’re looking for some new places to take a dog or two, consider these tailfriendly trails for you and your pup next time you are out and about.

Remember to be mindful of leash requirements and to pick up after your pooch. So, what are you waiting for? Get outside and enjoy yourselves.

MAGGIE Submitted by Michelle Kerby

EMMA Submitted by Neha Prabhu

Green Mountain via Gregory Canyon

A short drive west allows you access to one of Boulder’s signature ascents: lovely Green Mountain. Reaching the summit of Green Mountain via Gregory Canyon offers several miles of peaceful and forested terrain ideal for visitors with dogs.

At the trailhead walk west, then veer left crossing Gregory Creek. This trek provides a formidable workout, gaining 2,344 feet in less than three miles. The JANEWAY entire route may not be wise for Submitted by Matt Emmett older dogs, however.

When presented the opportunity, choose the Amphitheater Trail that eventually merges with the E.M. Greenman Trail. From here expect some frequent, rocky switchbacks and increasing steepness before reaching the summit.

TUCKER Owner Kaylie Minn Photograph by Brandon Dill

Wood’s Quarry via NCAR

The dog-friendly route along the Mesa Trail from the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in south Boulder stretches to one of Boulder’s most unique destinations: Wood’s Quarry.

To begin the quick and easy outing, find the sign for the Mesa Trail and access the footpath by walking down a wellmarked trail.

Next, follow the trail up to a water storage tank and head north (stay right) along the Mesa Trail. This route only offers a few short inclines. Remember to stay left when you see the sign to Skunk Canyon and soon after is a tiny marker indicating Wood’s Quarry.

Leave the Mesa Trail here by going left and making your final steep, stair climbing ascent to the quarry. Relax on the sandstone “chairs” before returning the way you came.

Details: About 3.5-miles roundtrip with 400-feet elevation gain.

To the trailhead: Follow Table Mesa Dr. in Boulder west to its end at NCAR.

OLIVER & CHARLOTTE Submitted by Stacey Reynolds

West Arvada Dog Park

If you’re wanting to offer your dogchild a real treat, consider a trip to the spacious West Arvada Dog Park. East of Hwy. 93 at 64th Ave., there are two large, fenced areas - one for smaller dogs and the other for bigger, more confident ones.

Details: At the large gravel parking lot, a small sign indicates that circling inside the perimeter of the large dog fence line sums to one mile, yielding negligible elevation gain.

To get there: Take CO 128/W-Interlocken Loop west to Indiana Ave. Turn left and drive just under seven miles to 64th Ave., turning right. The dog park is on your right in about two miles at 17975 W 64th Pkwy.

KOTA & LANI Submitted by Tim O'Shea LOUIE Submitted by Charlayne Dunn