South Mesa
Location
3633 Eldorado Springs Dr, Boulder, CO 80303
Website
OSMP Map
https://maps.bouldercolorado.gov/osmp-trails/?_ga=2.36918504.951107719.1700794023-225372433.1700794023
Trail Map
Here is a blow up of the area we decided to ride.
Park Fees
Yes
See park webpage for details about buying a pass on-line
See park webpage for details about buying a pass on-line
Trailer Parking
Not at South Mesa Trail-head.
We parked at Doudy Draw and walked across El Dorado Canyon. The street was easy to cross and Sam was not worried.
We parked at Doudy Draw and walked across El Dorado Canyon. The street was easy to cross and Sam was not worried.
Water
No Spigot. There is access to the creek. I brought water for Sam and did not lead him down to the creek.
Bathrooms
Yes, permanent potties
Mounting
We found a really nice stump to get on after walking Sam over the first bridge. Of course then there was a 2nd bridge and it was pretty big and impressive so I dismounted, led Sam over the bridge and got on again from the ground.
Footing
Mesa trail - wonderful, small gravel, wide, safe even after a rain the day before.
Homestead trail - rocky, steep, narrow path, moderately difficult and best for fit, experienced trail horses.
Homestead trail - rocky, steep, narrow path, moderately difficult and best for fit, experienced trail horses.
Horse Hazards
We parked at Doudy Draw and crossed Eldorado Springs Canyon Road. Where we crossed there were some orange poles telling people not to park on the shoulders. We very briefly crossed the road. Be careful crossing the road as it is a blind curve and people drive pretty fast, give yourself plenty of room and wait for a break in traffic. We passed a few private houses on the way out on Mesa trail. We crossed a couple bridges. Other than that the Mesa trail is wide, safe and beautiful. There are a lot of rocks by the side of the road, some horses can be terrified of rocks. The Homestead trail is steep in places and you will have to go down some packed dirt steps. Watch out for rattlesnakes.
Chosen Trail
Mesa Trail to Homestead
We rode the Mesa trail to Homestead in a counter-clockwise loop. We did a brief out and back on Shadow Canyon but turned back when the trail became narrow and rocky. The Mesa Trail-Homestead Loop was 2.4 miles. I would not recommend trying the Shadow Canyon South to Mesa loop. Reflecting on the trail, Boulder is very good at labeling trails that are for horses vs. trails that are just for hikers. Look for the horse image at the trail forks. Horses are definitely allowed on Mesa and Homestead. I recommend going uphill on Homestead and downhill on Mesa, this means I would ride the loop clockwise, the opposite way I rode. The Homestead trail is pretty steep and rocky and it would be easier to feel confident going up vs. down this trail. The Mesa trail is wide and smooth and easy, so easier to go downhill. Sam is part mountain-goat so we did fine but it was a pretty challenging trail. Sam also wanted to trot most of the way up Mesa trail. This is a nice conditioning trail as it is a gradual incline.
We started west from the Doudy Draw parking lot and took the path through the gate to the right that paralleled the road then allowed us to cross over to the South Mesa parking lot. I hand-walked Sam down this path, across the road and to the South Mesa Trail-head and Mesa trail.
There were some orange poles telling people not to park on the shoulder but it didn't bother Sam. Down in the South Mesa trail-head we crossed a cement bridge to catch the Mesa trail.
There was a convenient stump to use to mount after crossing the cement bridge.
But then we needed to cross another bridge going over the creek. Sam was not sure about this bridge so I dismounted and led him over it.
The trail is wonderful, nice and wide with small gravel, good footing. We passed some private houses on the right. We passed the Homestead trail fork to the left, we ended up coming down this trail.
There is a nice horse picture on the trail-marker letting you know horses are allowed.
Below: We passed the fork for Towhee, there was a trail-marker with a circle and line through the horse picture, clearly horses not allowed. We continued up a gradual hill past the fork for South Boulder Creek West, or the 9 gates trail loop.
We had a good trot up this hill.
To the left is the Homestead trail fork. I recommend going up the Homestead trail and down Mesa trail. Again, nice to see the very clear trail marker with a horse image.
We went down on the Homestead trail, 1.3 miles. If your horse can handle Doudy Draw you can try this trail. If your horse is spooky or you are nervous, call it good at this fork and go back down the Mesa trail. It will still be a work out going down-hill and you will stay safe and have a nice, short, happy ride. If you are ok with Doudy Draw and want another beautiful variation of the same type of trail take the first left fork off the Mesa trail and go uphill up Homestead.
The Homestead trail was a dirt single-track that quickly became rocky. There were a lot of logs keeping the trail packed and also as steps.
Lots more steep steps.
I just gave Sam his head and leaned back. I normally ride on the buckle anyways but I was really glad I could trust Sam to find his way down this series of steps.
Another bridge that has a high step up to connect you back to the Mesa trail.
A really beautiful trail ending, leading you to the Mesa trail.
Video of riding the Homestead trail up. Halfway up we saw a rattlesnake and went around it to continue the trail.
Trail Experience
I had a good time on this trail. This is mostly because Sam is a trail machine. He trotted up the Mesa trail, begged for treats and was happy trying different trails. He was a rock-star going down the steep Homestead trail and was not spooked or fazed by anything other than the 2nd large bridge. He even walked over that same bridge on the way home without having me dismount. He stayed happy and curious the whole time and was able to take breaks after going up longer sections of uphill trails.
Rating
Mesa Trail - Easy!
Homestead Trail - Moderately Difficult, similar to Doudy Draw, pretty amazing views, just rocky, steep and a lot of stair-steps in the dirt path
Homestead Trail - Moderately Difficult, similar to Doudy Draw, pretty amazing views, just rocky, steep and a lot of stair-steps in the dirt path