Physical activity and Thanksgiving may seem like opposing ideas. After all, Thanksgiving is the one day of the year when it’s perfectly acceptable to eat yourself into a food coma, slump down onto the couch, and let the tryptophan work its magic.
But this is Boulder, and Thanksgiving in Boulder is a different kind of bird. It could be frigid and snowing. It could be sunny and 60. And even though everyone will be getting their Thanksgiving meal on, a lot of you will be hitting the trails at some point for a little exercise to offset the gluttony. And what better way to give thanks than to celebrate our healthy bodies and beautiful open space? Read on for the scoop on four beautiful Thanksgiving Day hikes that will leave you full of gratitude and ready for seconds.
As always, please consult OSMP.org for trail conditions and possible closures.
Pre-Meal Morning Hike
If you’re looking for a strenuous workout before the feast, there’s no better place than Royal Arch. This recently reopened trail is new and improved after recent post-flood repairs. After huffing and puffing up this beauty, you’ll be primed for a day of leisure.
Royal Arch (approx. 4 miles round trip):
Begin at Chautauqua Trailhead. Head south on Bluebell Road. Follow as it bends to the right. At nearly one mile you’ll see the sign for Royal Arch Trail. Turn left to head up the trail. Pay close attention to trail markers as you go. A quarter mile of this trail was completely rerouted after the flood. Log fences mark where the old trail existed and direct you away from it to the new section. At about 2 miles total, you’ll reach the famous Royal Arch. This historic rock formation is a sight to behold. Be sure to walk up and around it for breathtaking vistas of Boulder. Return to the trailhead the way you came.
Post-Meal Afternoon Hike
If you plan to save your hike for after the big meal, you’ll want something gentle to stretch your legs and aid in digestion. You may want to bring the kids and the grandparents along, too. These three hikes are perfect for all ages and all fitness levels.
Eagle-Degge Loop (varying distances):
Begin at Eagle Trailhead at the access point that is closest to Route 36. These gently rolling trails offer expansive panoramas of the foothills and the plains. And if you like prairie dogs, then you’re in luck. There are several active colonies in the area. (Please review OSMP’s dog leash regulations.) There are several clearly marked options for circle hikes. For the shortest loop, take Eagle Trail to Hidden Valley, turn right, and then turn right at Degge to return to the trailhead. This loop is less than a mile and ideal for small children and less active adults. For longer loops, continue on Eagle Trail for as long as you’d like, and there are 4 additional junctions at which point you can turn around and head back. Consult the OSMP trail map ahead of time to plot the route that best suits your needs.
Sawhill Ponds (2 miles round trip):
Begin at Sawhill Ponds Trailhead. This mostly flat trail encircles the ponds, beginning and ending at the parking lot. Sawhill Ponds provide an excellent habit for a variety of flora and fauna. Birdwatchers will be delighted. The area is home to seasonal and year-round songbirds, raptors, and waterfowl. Foxes and coyotes may be present as well. If you have extra time, tack on the Walden Ponds trails which are adjacent to Sawhill.
Towhee-Homestead Loop (2 miles round trip):
Begin at South Mesa Trailhead. This loop is hillier than the other two, but still appropriate for most ages and fitness levels. It begins and ends where the historic Doudy-Debacker-Dunn House stands. Begin on the Mesa Trail and turn left onto Homestead Trail. Follow Homestead for one mile; take a right onto Mesa, and then another right onto Towhee Trail. Towhee brings you back to Mesa and the trailhead. You’ll be treated to sweeping views of Eldorado, Bear Peak, and the plains.
I present to you these four excellent options for an active Thanksgiving Day that will leave you plenty of time for the traditional stuffing-of-the-face and napping-on-the-couch. Wishing you happy trails and a warm Thanksgiving with family and friends!
About the Author: Alli Fronzaglia is a diehard hiker chick, an Open Space and Mountain Parks volunteer, and a Mass Audubon-trained teacher naturalist. After 10 years of bouncing back and forth between Colorado and New England, she has happily settled down in Boulder for the long haul. Alli is married with a 10-year old daughter and loves dragging her family along on half-baked adventures, whether it’s driving all over Colorado looking for the perfect Christmas tree, or trying to get a table at Snooze on a Sunday morning. You can find more of Alli’s Boulder hiking guides on YourBoulder.com.