Inspirational Viewpoints

Boulder Open Space and Mountain Park Demonstration Project
The initial focus of the Connection Ecology site was a demonstration project designed to show the City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Park Department how they could apply Connection Ecology principles to its Vistor Planning efforts. This effort suggested ways in which environmental connections could be fostered. While these ideas have not been implemented, they still illustrate the kind of planning the could and should be done.

The accompanying maps can be found at this post

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For many visitors, the most rewarding part of their open space visit is time spent relaxing at one of the area's truly inspiring viewpoints. Given the importance of these views and the general shortage of places to enjoy them apart from the bustle of the busy trail, the connection ecology maps highlight a number of commonly missed, but spectacular viewpoints which can be reached by short spur trails. Among viewpoints marked on the maps are the following.

Eldorado Mountain and Bear Peak Among the viewpoints highlighted is a view of Eldorado Canyon from the old railroad grade (assuming that access to a trail following this grade is approved--see history hike page). Another viewpoint (and this is the last one that requires the formal acceptance of significant new trail segments ascends to the summit of Dakota Ridge on a prominent social trail from the saddle between Eldorado Springs and Shadow Canyon. Another key viewpoint is found on the west end of the mesa which separates the Towhee trail from the South Mesa trail. Shadow Canyon hikers who commonly experience an endless walk through the trees could benefit from a short spur to a spectacular viewpoint at the base of the large boulderfield below the Devil's Thumb. Currently, the old microwave tower trail stops a few feet short of a spectacular viewpoint on the crest of the Dakota Ridge southwest of NCAR. Another highlighted viewpoint avoids the riparian area along Bear Creek while still providing easy access to one of the Mountain Park's few waterfalls (in the late spring only).

Green Mountain Given the short supply of uncrowded viewpoints at the top of Green Mountain, the connection ecology map notes that a short trail connecting the two west ends of the switchbacks just before the summit of the Greenman trail would take visitors to a rocky outcropping with a spectacular view of the Indian Peaks. Three other exceptional views in this busy area are also marked. One follows a short spur from the West Ridge Trail to one of the many hills overlooking Long and Panther canyons. An even more spectacular viewpoint can be reached from the short scramble onto the rocks at the end of the last major switchback on the Ranger trail (before the junction with the West Ridge Trail). Yet another viewpoint gives visitors an opportunity to look down on the Flatirons from a few feet off the Greenman trail where it first approaches the crest of the Saddle Rock ridge. There are also numerous viewpoints on the unmapped climber access trails around the Flatirons including one in the boulderfield separating the Second and Third Flatirons, another at the back of the Third Flatiron, the First Flatironette, and three major viewpoints on the First / Second Flatiron trail (one of which actually takes hikers to the middle of the Flatirons and a view normally reserved for rock climbers only).

Flagstaff / Redrocks Area The Connection Ecology maps also recognize great views at the end of a short spur off the Flagstaff trail to the top of Campbell's cliffs and another viewpoint to the southeast of Alamo Rock. West of Red Rocks there are great views from the east end of the "pipeline" road and at the west end of Anemone ridge (at the OSMP boundary).
General CommentsThese are only some of the suggested viewpoints. The careful review of the connection ecology maps will find more. While I have not marked the many inspirational views accessible from existing trails, inclusion of information about these viewpoints would help people plan more rewarding hikes. These places can all be made a bit more enjoyable with a little discrete reworking of area rocks and wants to provide informal and comfortable places to sit.