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Boulder, CO: Mount Sanitas via Mount Sanitas Trail
Navigate an obstacle course of countless log steps, steep rock slabs, and giant boulders on this 2.8-mile hike to a small summit overlooking Boulder.
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| Author: | Backpacker Magazine |
| Activity: | Hiking |
| State: | Colorado (CO) |
| Distance: | 1.42 mi |
| Difficulty: | 6 / 10 |
| USGS Topo Map: | Boulder |
| Rating: |
 1 rating(s)
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At first glance, the 6,863-foot summit of Mount Sanitas may seem modest compared to the 8,000-foot peaks dotting the ridgeline west of Boulder, but this 2.8-mile hike (or trail run) packs plenty of punch for a short outing.
Start at the west end of Mapleton Avenue and hike northwest along a brief, 0.2-mile flat stretch up the Sanitas Valley Trail. From here, you'll navigate a steep obstacle course of log steps, rock slabs, and giant boulders (and climb 1,100 feet in one mile) past overlooks of both the foothills and mountain canyons to the west. At Sanitas' small summit, take in expansive views of Boulder and the eastern plains before turning around and retracing the steep and rocky route back to Mapleton Avenue.
-Mapped by Kim Phillips
TO TRAILHEAD: From Broadway St. and Canyon Blvd. in Boulder, CO, head north on Broadway St. In 0.4 mile, turn left onto Mapleton Ave. Go 0.6 mile to parking on side of road.
| Position Format: | Datum: |
Tracks
SAN01
| Distance: 1.42 mi | Points: 93 |
Mount Sanitas
Points of Interest
SAN001
Location: 40.020569, -105.291695Walk west along Mapleton Avenue for roughly 750 feet to the Mount Sanitas Trailhead on the right side of the road.
SAN002
Location: 40.020775, -105.294144Leave the sidewalk and bear right onto the marked Mount Sanitas Valley Trail. Walk northwest on wide, dirt path.
SAN003
Location: 40.021233, -105.295242Continue straight @ signed 4-way junction onto the Mount Sanitas Trail (Mount Sanitas Valley Trail veers to the right). Ahead, trail cuts through a grassy field punctuated with rocky outcroppings.
SAN004
Location: 40.021473, -105.295860Keep straight @ 4-way.
SAN005
Location: 40.021576, -105.296570Climb up several log steps shaded by trees, then cross a short wooden footbridge. Ahead, the trail winds to the west through open pine forest.
SAN006
Location: 40.021416, -105.297615The steep, rocky ascent begins. Tackle a series of log and rock steps that climb up the ridgeline.
SAN007
Location: 40.022301, -105.298096Pass a popular bouldering site on the right. Continue climbing north.
SAN008
Location: 40.022835, -105.298561Pass another climbing access on right. Giant sandstone outcrops flank the trail on the right.
SAN009
Location: 40.023739, -105.298698Continue steep climb up ridge.
SAN010
Location: 40.025627, -105.299797The trail skirts a massive boulder on the left. Stand on top of this rock overlook for views into Sunshine Canyon to the west.
SAN011
Location: 40.026699, -105.300285This ridgeline vantage point offers expansive views east across Boulder.
SAN012
Location: 40.027939, -105.301376Climb steep rock steps; vibrant wildflowers pepper the grassy slopes that border the trail to the east.
SAN013
Location: 40.028873, -105.302353Squeeze through a narrow gap in boulders that block the trail, then climb northwest up rock slabs dotted with seasonal wildflowers.
SAN014
Location: 40.029808, -105.303062Trail briefly curves around the west side of the mountain. Continue hiking northwest up ridge.
SAN015
Location: 40.033199, -105.305115The final 500-foot stretch to the summit travels up another set of rock steps; pine trees flank the trail.
SAN016
Location: 40.034401, -105.305298Mount Sanitas (6,863 ft.): A metal rod marks this small, rocky summit. Rest your legs while taking in the expansive views of Boulder and the eastern plains. Retrace route back to trailhead.
Mount Sanitas Trailhead
Location: 40.020767, -105.294144© Kim Phillips
First Trail Junction
Location: 40.021225, -105.295235Continue straight on Mount Sanitas Trail. © Kim Phillips
Rock Outcrops
Location: 40.021366, -105.295593© Kim Phillips
Log Steps
Location: 40.021564, -105.296501© Kim Phillips
Trail Views
Location: 40.021530, -105.296860© Kim Phillips
Open Woods
Location: 40.021461, -105.297150© Kim Phillips
Steep Steps
Location: 40.021404, -105.297607© Kim Phillips
Climbing Access
Location: 40.022823, -105.298546© Kim Phillips
Rocky Overlook
Location: 40.025650, -105.299797© Kim Phillips
Wildflowers
Location: 40.025917, -105.299873© Kim Phillips
Wildflowers
Location: 40.026314, -105.300003© Kim Phillips
Views to the Southwest
Location: 40.026501, -105.300156© Kim Phillips
Views of Boulder
Location: 40.026699, -105.300285© Kim Phillips
Wildflowers
Location: 40.027512, -105.301064© Kim Phillips
Rocky Ascent
Location: 40.027920, -105.301353© Kim Phillips
Views to the South
Location: 40.028385, -105.301949© Kim Phillips
Rocky Terrain
Location: 40.029095, -105.302612Wildflowers punctuate the rocky terrain. © Kim Phillips
Summit Views
Location: 40.034393, -105.305305Views stretch across Boulder from the summit of Mount Sanitas. © Kim Phillips
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