Mount Sanitas Trailhead — Attraction in Boulder

There is a fair amount of parking available, and the main parking lot has decent bathrooms.

Near the trail head is a small stream and picnic area, that is very shady. Perfect for young kids to explore and have a snack, either before or after your hike. It feels very removed from civilization when you're here, almost like camping.

The trail always seems well populated; I have been here both on a Friday mid-day and later afternoon on a Sunday. I was able to find parking both times, but it was fairly full, and we saw many people on the trail.

Lots of trail options, beginner, intermediate and difficult. Sanitas Valley trail is a wide gravel trail (a BOB stroller would make it up easily); Dakota ridge trail runs alongside it, and meets up with it at the "peak" and is more narrow and has rock & root obstacles and steeper portions (not stroller suitable). The goat trail where Dakota Ridge trail meets Sanitas Valley has some difficult areas with steep drops alongside.

Overall it's a nice area for hikers of...

The hike itself is incredible - especially if you put your head down and RUN. Just go for it and don't stop. Climb climb climb and keep your heartbeat up! Abs contracted and stay focused! When get to the top you will feel like you are at the top of the world and that you can do anything. I prefer to climb up the South Side (back side) and come down the front (faces East). Climbing the back side offers the longest stretch for the upward slope. Then you can save the steep side for a quick run down - and some strategic jumps! Be sure to have LOTS of water! In the summer it is best to be done with this hike by 10:00am, otherwise the heat is to extreme! In the winter, be careful about coming down the front side - it can be iced over or very muddy most of the season.

Note: When you arrive I suggest heading into the canyon a few hundred yards beyond the typical entrance. That will give you a larger parking lot as well as restrooms, which are helpful before starting...

This New Jersey-visiting guy took this hike unprepared for how the altitude change can affect you. My family and I got here yesterday thinking altitude-schmaltitude until taking this hike. While our Boulder friends warned us about this, I observed locals running up and down this trail with their dogs and thought this shouldn't be so bad, right? Boy was I wrong. The hike is designed well: switchbacks, steps, sign posts at forks, clear trails and oh my, what beautiful views. Pine trees are everywhere, prickly-pear cacti snuggle the rocky sides of the trail and the Rocky Mountains make this a wonderful hike to stop, drink some water, inhale the fresh air, take a photo and reflect. I give this trail four stars because it can seem treacherous and there are no markers to educate you about what you are seeing in the views and vista's. I've been on those trails and have...