· Flatirons

Doudy Draw and the South Mesa Trail

Aliases: Mesa Trail

These open space trailheads near Eldorado Springs provide access to miles of hiking trails and some riparian habitat along the creek. Look for Spotted Towhee, Yellow-breasted Chat, Blue Grosbeak, and Blue-gray Gnatcatcher in dense scrub, as well as the occasional Red-eyed Vireo in taller trees. Lazuli Bunting is common in summer; Indigo Bunting and hybrids are uncommon to rare. Keep an eye out for herds of mule deer and elk along the trails. For a first-class birdwatching destination, follow the South Mesa Trail to the Towhee Mesa Loop/Towhee Homestead Loop, which includes rich grasslands, forest communities, and lots of shrubby drainages. A side trip along the Upper Big Bluestem Trail is also great for birds. Note: there is a fee to park at this property.

County: Boulder

Directions: From Denver: head west toward Boulder on US Hwy 36. Exit at Louisville/Superior/McCaslin Blvd and go south to Marshall Rd/CO 170. Go west on CO 170 and at CO 93, cross CO 93 to continue on CO 170 for two more miles. The parking lot for Doudy Draw is on the south side and the South Mesa Trail is on the north.

Dates of Access: Open all year
Hours: Daylight hours
Ownership: City of Boulder
Admission: Free; there is a parking fee

Restrictions: Please obey all rules and regulations.

Parking: Gravel parking area; All park visitors whose motor vehicles are not registered in Boulder County must possess either a daily or annual permit to park
Lodging: Hotels in Boulder

Handicapped: Yes
Handicapped Access: ADA accessible trail, the lower parts of each trail have a crusher fines surface

Latitude: 39.938243
Longitude: -105.256655

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Contact Info:

South Mesa Trailhead: https://bouldercolorado.gov/osmp/south-mesa-trailhead

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