Backpacker Magazine: Boulder: Backpacking and Camping Trips, Hikes, Adventures, Topo Maps, Aerial Photos.

Boulder, CO: Niwot Alternative Loop

Submitted by: Backpacker Magazine
Sample suburban recreational trails on this easy 3.8-mile Niwot route that showcases views of the Front Range along it's eastern fringe.

Boulder, CO: Mount Sanitas via Dakota Ridge Trail

Submitted by: Backpacker Magazine
This 4-miler starts with a gentle climb along rolling ridgeline, then cranks it up a notch with an obstacle course of steep rock steps and tightly-spaced boulders.

Boulder, CO: Arapaho Pass

Submitted by: Backpacker Magazine
Hike this gentle, 6.1-mile out-and-back in midsummer when an explosion of wildflowers dominates the climb to this grassy pass in the Indian Peaks.

Boulder, CO: Mount Audubon

BACKPACKER Review
Compared to its jagged neighbors, this 13,000-foot summit is one of the easier peaks (no technical scrambling required) to tick off in the Indian Peaks Wilderness.

Boulder, CO: Arapahoe Glacier Trail

BACKPACKER Review
From coniferous forests to intimate alpine lakes to views of the Continental Divide, this 12-miler offers classic Rocky Mountain scenery.

Rocky Mountain National Park: Lily Lake to Sprague Lake Loop

BACKPACKER Review
Traverse exposed ridgelines and thick pine forests for postcard views of Rocky Mountain National Park on this 20.6-mile lollipop loop.

Boulder, CO: Caribou Ranch Loop

Nestled between Nederland and the Indian Peaks Wilderness area, this 4.26 mile lollipop trail takes you by mountain vistas on your way to a 19th century homestead.

Boulder, CO: Betasso Preserve

The 1,000-foot climb from Boulder to Betasso Preserve pays off with a 3-mile circuit on banked and off-camber singletrack--an ideal cross-country primer.

Rocky Mountain National Park: Lily Lake to Sprague Lake Loop

Traverse exposed ridgelines, pass under thick pine stands and enjoy postcard views of Rocky Mountain National Park on this 20.5-mile lollypop loop.

Boulder, CO: Heil Valley Ranch

Snake through ponderosa pines and an unending succession of rock problems on this 9.4-mile lollipop that tops out at a stunning high-desert overlook.

Boulder, CO: Super Jamestown

One of Boulder's gnarliest climbs, this 42-miler pays off with stunning views of Indian Peaks from a high-altitude dirt road.

Boulder, CO: Caribou Ranch Loop

Nestled between Nederland and the Indian Peaks Wilderness area, this 4.26 mile lollipop trail takes you by mountain vistas on your way to a 19th century homestead.

Share your tales of travel & adventure with our step-by-step guide. Upload trail descriptions, photos, video, and more.

Photos + Videos

Packing for a Backcountry Ski Day Kristin Hostetter shows you the essential gear, and how to pack it, for a day of backcountry skiing.	Adjust Your Pack Straps on the Trail Maximize your pack's comfort with a few easy, on-trail strap adjustments.

What makes a backpacker a backpacker? It's not the garage full of gear or piles of guidebooks--it's the experiences, from thru-hiking a long trail to pushing your personal envelope to inspiring a child's love of wilderness. Here we present BACKPACKER's new Life List: 10 experiences to add to your tick-listnow--and the key skills you need to nail them.