Teller Farms - East Boulder Trail - 12.3 Miles Round-Trip

The East Boulder Trail stretches 6.15 miles from the Teller Farms - South Trailhead off Arapaho Road to the Gunbarrel Farm Trailhead in the Heatherwood neighborhood of Gunbarrel.

The trail passes through the working historic ranch of Teller Farms, White Rocks Nature Preserve, Lower Boulder Creek Conservation Area and rolling hills of a short grass prairie. Groomed trails, mild grades, and a bucolic setting welcome runners, cyclists, birdwatchers, and skiers.

The following description begins at the Teller Farms - South Trailhead and travels north:

The East Boulder Trail heads east on a wide gravel path to the Teller Lake spur (.2 miles) and bends north. It moves easily through the ranch, making several dog-leg turns along property lines before straightening out for lengthy spell (.75 miles). The path is crossed by several creeks and irrigation ditches lined by old-growth cottonwood stands, ideal places to see hawks, eagles and owls - especially in the bareness of winter.

The trail passes through a cattle gate (1.95 miles) and into the Teller Farms - North Trailhead parking lot on Valmont Road (2.15 miles : 5,125'). It exits the northwest corner of the lot and traces Valmont Road for .25 miles before crossing north into the White Rocks Trailhead parking lot (2.4 miles : 5,092').

The trail officially enters the White Rocks Nature Preserve - Lower Boulder Creek Conservation Area and skirts a large pond home to a diverse waterfowl population. It continues over South Boulder Creek to the base of a ridge comprised of the eponymous white rocks and forks left (3.45 miles : 5,085').

The trail narrows and begins a moderate climb with panoramas of Boulder's front range, and useful perspective on the patchwork landscape through which you're passing. Look for prairie dogs, fox, coyote, rattlesnakes and burrowing owls in the prairie. The trail crests (4.35 miles : 5,230'), crosses a residential access road (4.4 miles : 5,221') and resumes an undulating course through a subtly textured expanse.

You'll reach the Gunbarrel Hill - 95th Street junction (4.45 miles : 5,205') and turn left on the East Boulder Trail (a right turn leads to alternative access on 95th street). Follow dog-leg turns west, north and west again on a steady climb up Gunbarrel Hill. The trail crests beside a utility facility (5.45 miles : 5,407') and drops gently to its terminus at the Gunbarrel Farm Trailhead (6.15 miles : 5,308')