When our Asheville-based friends let me know they were spending spring break in Colorado this year, we decided to add a stop in Boulder to the end of our California/Nevada road trip so we could spend a day with them.

While they are avid hikers, it is not their daughter’s favorite activity so we chose a reasonable morning hike that would offer some great views without completely taxing her patience.

Those criteria led us to Eldorado Canyon State Park, which is a short drive from Boulder. Apparently this is a popular state park. It has a timed entry reservation system that runs from May 1 to October 1. Luckily we were outside that window, but I was glad we arrived early as there was already a short line at the pay station.

Entry requires a Colorado State Park Pass or a $10 day pass, and the gentleman who helped us was very friendly and took time to review the park map with us, including areas that were closed this time of year due to active nesting areas.

We joined our friends at the Fowler Trailhead, which had limited parking and a couple pit toilets, so we could begin our trek along the Rattlesnake Gulch trail.

This trail has a gradual incline with rocky terrain that evens out as you climb to the overlook areas. We had beautiful weather and lovely views during our climb – and thankfully no rattlesnakes.

We did have a bizarre wildlife encounter as we approached the Crags Hotel ruins – a very angry grouse! She was clearly guarding a nest situated somewhere nearby. I’ve never encountered one that was so aggressive. She continued to charge us even as we tried to steer well clear of her and the area she was protecting. A couple women with dogs approached around the same time, and the dogs proved an adequate distraction for us to sneak by.

The Crags Hotel was built in 1908 and was accessed via an inclined railway. It burned down in 1912, and we were able to find the sole remaining feature – a large fireplace – before continuing our climb.

There were a handful of people enjoying the views at our turnaround point – the Continental Divide Overlook. Happily we were were able to ask one of them for the only group shot of our trip!

The views were incredible and we could see quite a ways into the distance, including some snow capped mountains to the west. Our friends’ daughter admitted it was well worth the effort!

While we couldn’t continue around the loop due to the active nesting areas, we did wind our way back down to a small stretch of the Fowler trail that took us to an overlook by the super rocky Lower Peanuts Wall and Upper Peanuts Wall. Our friends’ son quickly spotted some rock climbers on the canyon wall ahead of us, and we enjoyed a few moments on the nearby benches watching them make their ascent.

Eldorado Canyon is a beautiful area, and there were lots of other trails we would love to come back and explore. Our small trek clocked in at just over 3 miles / 4.8 km with about 1,000 feet / 308 meters of gain. A perfect morning for our mixed group that ultimately pleased everyone!