NCAR Trail Head — Attraction in Boulder

This was a nice trail, not too long for an afternoon hike, with great views in Boulder. We went in spring (late April) and it was pretty muddy in spots. You’ll definitely want boots. There is plenty of parking. We needed a restroom and happened onto the science museum - didn’t even know it was there - looked like a private building or college building. Would have liked more time in there and looks like it’d be great for kids (interactive exhibits). The trail was pretty easy for us (mid 50s and a bit out of shape) but not boring or too flat. There were sloppy spots and a few slippery areas due to mud but not bad at all. Didnt see any rattlers. Bugs weren’t bad at all. I think we took the wrong way back and it was ridiculously muddy in spots and kept having to scrape it off our boots 🤣. It was a fairly big incline up to the back of the science center. For photographers, there were power lines on the one side of the trail that were obnoxious but...

Free parking in the NCAR lot. Great access to many South Boulder trails (NOTE: for hiking, NOT biking) including Mesa and Mallory cave Trails.

If you're there during weekday hours there's a wonderful (free) science museum in the NCAR building. NCAR was designed by famous architect I. M. Pei and was featured in the madcap "kidnapping of the nose" scene in Woody Allen's 70's-era movie, "Sleeper".

Foot traction gear highly recommended in the cooler months - whenever trails are in the trees, especially as you get into the foothills, there's often snowpack/ice no matter how sunny the day. Also, sections can be quite muddy during snow melts.

That being said, the trails are wonderful (especially in dryer weather), the views spectacular where the...

From here one can access the large network of trails which branch out through the Flatirons area. The NCAR trail intersects the Mesa trail several hundred meters from the lot and from the Mesa trail a person can go north or south as they desire to intersect the other trail networks.

The NCAR Trail also offers the easiest access to Mallory Cave. Unfortunately, the cave and it's surroundings are often closed to visitors due to restoration or conservation projects in the area - be sure to read the signage along the route which should have information on the latest closings.

There is ample parking, and as of August 2021 the...