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Green Mountain via Ranger/Saddle Rock Loop

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
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 4.6 (111)
  1. Areas
  2. CO
  3. …Front Range
  4. …Boulder
  5. Flagstaff Mountain
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“A loop with a variety of terrain, a lot of climbing, and great views of Boulder. ”

Eli Zabielski
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4.9

Miles

7.9

KM

Loop

8,093' 2,467 m

High

5,804' 1,769 m

Low

2,304' 702 m

Up

2,276' 694 m

Down

18%

Avg Grade (10°)

56%

Max Grade (29°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Overview

A classic for Boulder mountain hikers, Green Mountain delivers a lot of vertical without truly leaving town. Your chances of seeing a professional ultra runner on any given day are pretty good. With the right gear and clothing, it can be done on any day of the year. In addition to the route given here, there are many other routes up Green Mountain that give this mountain a lot of different variety, from fast and flowing trails to steep and rooted trail straight up punishing inclines.

Need to Know

The upper sections of the mountain on the ascent and descent hold ice from November to early April. Microspikes are highly advised during this time. There are several small creek crossings on the loop but they're never too deep or fast, and getting water may be unreliable most of the time. The trail near creek crossings generally gets icy before other parts of the trail.

There are no dogs allowed on upper E.M. Greenman Trail.

Description

From the Gregory Canyon parking lot, take the Ranger Trail South where you get a little bit of rest from steeper climbing as the newly reconstructed trail cruises along a ravine. Eventually the trail winds its way up to the Northwest ridge of Green Mountain, which is occasionally quite windy. The trail returns to steep climbing as you head up the ridge, eventually reaching a series of switchbacks up to the west ridge of Green Mountain. The Ranger Trail ends at a junction. Turn East and head up the final few hundred feet, which are steep, rocky stairs and logs.

At the summit, enjoy the fantastic views to the East of Boulder and downtown Denver, and to the West, the Continental Divide, Rocky Mountain National Park, Indian Peaks Wilderness, several 14ers, and ski areas.

From the summit, head North down the E.M. Greenman Trail, which immediately drops into some steep and rocky switchbacks. The trail mellows out to almost flat near the Saddle Rock Trail/ E.M. Greenman Trail junction. From the trail junction, take the Saddle Rock Trail to the Northeast down more technical and rocky terrain generally between -20% and -30%. After a particularly rocky section, you need to come to a short ladder to get down a section of trail that was destroyed by flooding in September, 2013. Either descend the ladder or go down the left side on the steep slope.

After the ladder, continue down heavily rooted trail and rock stairs to the Amphitheater Trail/Saddle Rock Trail junction. It doesn't matter which way you go from here, since both trails descend to the Gregory Canyon parking lot in about the same distance.

Dogs are not allowed on the upper section of the E.M. Greenman Trail (i.e. the southeast side of the summit), but are allowed on the Ranger Trail/ Gregory Canyon / Long Canyon Trail side of the loop. The sections allowing dogs follow standard off-leash OSMP rules.

Flora & Fauna

This route offers hikers a great variety of flora and fauna to stimulate the senses along the way. Beginning in the grassy, magpie filled meadows of Chautauqua Park, you'll transition into a ponderosa and lodgepole forest. As you gain elevation, evidence of the transformation to a more montane zone will become evident. As with all trails in this region, be aware that mountain lions and black bears inhabit the area.

History & Background

There's a sighting disk that will help you identify the many tall mountains to the west of Green Mountain. The plaque was placed there in 1929 by the CU Hiking Club.

The E.M. Greenman Trail is named after Ernest "Dad" Greenman, who was part of a prominent Boulder family in early 1900s, and developed many of the trails and climbing routes in this area.

In September 2013, several sections of trail were heavily damaged or destroyed by flooding. Some sections of the Ranger Trail are newly constructed, and there is a ladder on the Saddle Rock Trail.

Contacts

Land Manager: City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks

Shared By:

Eli Zabielski with improvements by Nick Barendregt
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.6 from 111 votes

#1

in Flagstaff Mountain

#53

Overall
  4.6 from 111 votes
5 Star
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4 Star
30%
3 Star
6%
2 Star
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1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Flagstaff Mountain

#18

in Colorado

#53

Overall
78 Views Last Month
23,578 Since Nov 13, 2015
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Photos

Snowy Boulder from Saddle Rock Trail. with permission from BoulderTraveler
Jan 11, 2015 near Boulder, CO
The "sighting disc" at the top of Green Mountain. Line up the pins so you know what mountain you're looking at.
May 3, 2015 near Boulder, CO
Enjoy fantastic views out over Boulder from the Saddle Rock Trail.
Mar 19, 2017 near Boulder, CO
At the summit
Oct 4, 2021 near Boulder, CO
Crown Rock
Nov 28, 2023 near Boulder, CO
Green Mountain
Jan 7, 2024 near Boulder, CO

1 Comment

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Current Trail Conditions

Minor Issues 10 days ago
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Check-Ins

Aug 15, 2023
Private User
Jan 7, 2023
Christopher Rouw
Added in bluebell trail to ranger cabin. Beautiful day and great trails. 6mi — 2h 10m
Nov 13, 2022
Thomas Heavey
Bit icy in patches near top 5.1mi — 3h 28m
Sep 3, 2022
Rick Boykin
Started at 3pm and didn't get too much sun. We did the opposite direction, opting for the steeper ascent and save the knees on the descent. 5.5mi — 3h 30m
Aug 6, 2022
Steve G
Jun 11, 2022
Private User
Mar 4, 2022
Charly Jackson
Jan 23, 2022
Liz Ryan
Hike counter clockwise for an easier assent. Becomes quite steep half way through the rise in elevation. Needed sticks 6.4mi — 3h 46m

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