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| Photo courtesy of the University of Colorado |
More professional outdoors athletes call Boulder home than any other city and with good reason. Boulder’s location at the foot of the Rocky Mountains offers nearly unlimited outdoor recreation while still being in the heart of civilization. The tone of the city is laid back but adventurous, with hundreds of adventures waiting within city limits and hundreds more in the nearby mountains, rivers, icefalls, and canyons.
You’d be hard pressed to find a more-fit city in America, thanks to the copious miles of bike paths, running trails, and open space land. The natural beauty hardly needs any human promotion. The town is set against the impressive flatirons, towering slabs of rock that shelter Boulder from the wrath of Rocky Mountain weather. Local hikes such as Green Mountain, Bear Peak, and Mount Sanitas offer stunning views and a good workout--not to mention the chance of seeing black bear, fox, or the elusive mountain lion. Dozens of trails are great for a day hike, after work run, or an all-day tromp.
Rock climbers will be challenged by world-class routes in Boulder Canyon and nearby Eldorado. In the winter, ice falls trickle down the walls and give ice climbers a close place to throw in their picks. For those looking to get vertical, Boulder is the place.
Equally well known are the epic road biking rides the mountain byways offer. Lance Armstrong trained here, and he’s done fairly well—rides to the west rise up 4,000-5,000 ft. in elevation while the vast prairies to the east let you cruise miles and miles of scenic farmlands. Mountain bikers also have options, from the fun and fast Walker Ranch and Betasso preserve to classic Front Range riding in nearby Golden. Most great trails are only 10-30 minutes down the road.
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| Walker Ranch. Photo courtesy of Boulder County |
River runners and whitewater fans will find the humble Boulder Creek a fine training ground for the more technical runs in nearby waterways. Fishermen can cast for rocky mountain trout in any number of streams, reservoirs, and lakes.
Winters are generally mild but that doesn’t mean the fun is far away. A 45 minute ride west brings you to the 10,000 ft. + Indian Peaks, where a host of cross country ski, snowshoe, and backcountry alpine trails awaits. More prolific resorts line the I-70 corridor just outside of Boulder, with such well-known mountains as Vail, Beaver Creek, Winter Park, Keystone, and Breckenridge accessible for day trips or weekend excursions.
Boulder’s active community means there’s no shortage of things to do, whether you are here to visit or call the city home. With a world-inspired culture shaping the heart of Boulder, the mountains here are likely to become old friends that you never forget—and give your legs and lungs all the fun they can handle! And who knows, you might even run into some of the Hooked staff while you’re out here--if you’re lucky.
Last Updated: Mar 6th, 2006 - 15:55:17
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