The Royal Arch

If you're into picnics 6,915 feet above sea level (roundtrip elevation gain of 1,417) You will love the Royal Arch Trail.  The terrain is technical at first, not too steep, but eventually kicks up into stairs.  Every time we hike this I have flashbacks of vintage horror films and cartoons.  The style of villain that hides out in a tower, away from civilization (like Gargamel from The Smurfs) This trail is like living in a prog groups album art.  A majestic landscape, containing jagged clusters of rock.  Walking this section is like hiking through a bowl of granola, but the granola is rock.  Most falls I've seen (nothing serious) are on this trail.  I imagine people trip up large stair formations, or slip down sandy, flat rock.  Trek to the arch and back (not shown in photos because I want you to hike it)  is a 3.5-mile loop (or out and back)  Both photos shown are perspective sitting at the outermost edge,  with the arch behind us.  Hiking without a crowd offers perks of a serene and nonchalant natural world.  To be a "fly on the rock-wall"  Chipmunks leaping fearlessly, in search of food.  Birds at eye level.  All of Boulder, beneath your feet.  Strawberries in the sky with diamonds.  I have much to learn about Boulder, but this will probably always be a favorite hike and rest area (especially when it's not crowded)  The view is worth the climb for sure...and depending on who you are, the hike alone is joyous and unique.  If you are just visiting Boulder, I'd rate this hike before Mt. Sanitas, in terms of shade, varying terrain, versatile hike, favorable view. 

Veg Group Ride

I had no idea what to expect.  The pace was moderate, mostly road with a small dirt section.  Many cool bikes (even a steel frame) The ride was 50ish miles where Folsom / Valmont intersect to Rabbit Mountain / back (Whittier) As the "new kid," I'm usually subtle, not asserting dominance.  I try to remain sensitive but show I'm not totally reckless or naive.  Totally heard one of the guys say, "Is this where we drop everyone?" They didn't drop anyone.  After the ride, we received wristbands for free kombucha, smoothies, and gift bags.  A really sweet surprise considering it was Jeff's birthday.         

Chapman Drive Trail Off-Road

 Chapman Drive is a dream.  A cyclocross-style venture, not incredibly steep (descending Chapman on a road bike is another story)  I question how climbing up rubble so chill, can make for an unequivocally terrifying descent.  That is why I choose to descend Flagstaff's tarmac (post-Chapman climb)  I also enjoy the enhanced smoothness tarmac offers (psychologically) post several minutes up gravel.  If you shift enough body weight over the rear wheel, it won't spin out much standing.  I very much enjoy the challenge of staying seated vs. standing up gravel.  I'd compare it to a mindfulness exercise of sorts.  The first day I found out about it, I had to do it twice...once wasn't enough.  The forest surrounding Chapman is full of beautiful dark greens and blacks (early June 2018)  I love it . . . 

Anemone Trail

Anemone holds a special place in my heart.  Our dog has even climbed it (a pitbull lover will tell you how sensitive these sweethearts are to summer heat) Anemone's difficulty is not extreme, but the view is massive (almost full 360, for a fraction of the effort to Sanitas)  The start of Anemone intersects several options.  The trail starts with a smooth dirt ascent, which soon turns rocky and steep (with welcoming peak)  Always psyched for Anemone.