Boulder: Saddle Rock Trail

So, we actually didn't reach Saddle Rock because one of our hikers was having back pain, but I want to do it next summer! We parked at the Crown Rock Area, which is right off Flagstaff Road. We hiked down into Gregory Canyon, which is a very steep and pretty treacherous trail due to loose gravel. There are lots of college kids bouldering in this area- it's a nice place to come and rock hop if you don't want to hike. There is also the "bonsai tree" that is growing out of a rock- very cool, and a nice place to chill out and take pictures.

We took the trail all the way down into Gregory Canyon, which as already noted is a very steep and rocky descent. The canyon has a stream running through it, and as I just discovered, has its own trailhead nearby. We began the ascent to Saddle Rock but turned around about 15 minutes later. The climb back to the car was pretty sketchy in places, and there are a couple places where the trail forks off with no signage. I wouldn't recommend taking this trail if you don't know the area well. The hike from the Crown Rock parking area down into Gregory Canyon and back up takes about an hour round trip.

After studying the above map, I think that next time I'll park at the Gregory Canyon trailhead and do the Saddle Mountain loop. Just a warning that all of the areas in the Flagstaff area charge $5 per car for parking.

Directions from Boulder: take Baseline Road, pass Chautauqua Park on the right and turn left into the Gregory Canyon parking area a few minutes down the road. The area is well marked and visible from the road.