The Marshall Valley, Community Ditch and Cowdrey Draw trails form a short out-and-back trip through native grassland habitat of the Marshall Mesa area. Portions of this trail system touch the Southern Grasslands Habitat Conservation Area and Cowdrey Draw Natural Area, which protect the largest remaining parcel of intact grassland habitat in Boulder. Visitors will enjoy mild grades, an array of wildlife, brilliant summer wildflowers and sweeping views across the eastern plains and Boulder’s Front Range.

Views from the Cowdrey Draw Trail illustrate the abrupt Rocky Mountain uplift

The Cowdrey Draw Trail sees lighter traffic than other extensions from the Marshall Mesa Trailhead

Mariposa Lily's genus name 'Calochortus' is from the Greek word 'kalos', which means beautiful

Flatiron #1 and distant Indian Peaks Wilderness Area nudge over the horizon

Waves of switch grass, indian grass and bluestem in the Cowdrey Draw Natural Area

Tall grass prairies once stretched east from the Rockies to Indiana, north to Canada and south through Texas

The genus Yucca consists of 40-50 species of perennials, shrubs and trees in the Agave family

Prairie Dog colonies in the Marshall Mesa area support and provide shelter for dozens of other species

Lupine (foreground) is a member of the pea family that's generally toxic to livestock and horses

The Cowdrey Draw Trail

Sunrise on the Cowdrey Draw Trail

The Cowdrey Draw Trail offers sweeping panoramas of Boulder's Front Range