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Mount Sanitas Loop

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
 4.1 (127)
  1. Areas
  2. CO
  3. …Front Range
  4. …Boulder
  5. Mount Sanitas
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“Very popular and scenic loop right from the edge of town. ”

Nick Wilder
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Map Key

3.2

Miles

5.2

KM

Loop

6,780' 2,067 m

High

5,521' 1,683 m

Low

1,281' 390 m

Up

1,280' 390 m

Down

15%

Avg Grade (9°)

43%

Max Grade (23°)

Dogs Off-leash

Features Views

Overview

This is a steep but rewarding trail, with great summit views of the foothils to the high peaks, and all of Boulder. It is virtually always crowded with all kinds of runners, hikers, and dogs.

Need to Know

In typical Boulder fashion, there are some crazy speed records on the various trails.

Description

From the beginning of the Sanitas Valley Trail, take your first left on the Mount Sanitas Trail and immediately start the very steep ascent of the mountain. The trail is mostly shaded, but there are tons of high steps, both on logs and boulders, which make the trail tiring. You'll pass some large rock outcroppings that are popular with climbers and boulderers and several nice places to rest and enjoy the views both east and west.

After several false summits, you finally gain the true summit and have unobstructed views of all of Boulder to the east, and partially obstructed views of foothills and Indian Peaks to the west.

Head down the very steep East Ridge Trail, which has several tricky sections of steep rock. It eases up as you descend, and finally widens and becomes much easier as you get to a saddle and intersection with the Sanitas Valley Trail.

As you descend this nice, easy gravel road, enjoy the spectacular views of the Flatirons, seen from a unique side-on angle. You'll pass the historic Silver Lake ditch (which supplies water to Boulder farmers and has been in use since the late 1800's) and soon end back where you started.

Flora & Fauna

Mountain lions are common in the area, and the trail is occasionally closed if there is a fresh kill. You'd be lucky to see one though!

History & Background

The peak is named for the Boulder Sanitarium that sat at the current site of the Boulder Community Hospital. The building was completed in 1896 and was primarily used to treat tuberculosis patients. The original smokestack still stands.

There is also an old quarry halfway up the slope (a spur trail will lead you there) that was used for several early University of Colorado buildings.

Contacts

Land Manager: City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks

Shared By:

Nick Wilder
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.1 from 127 votes

#2

in Mount Sanitas

#102

Overall
  4.1 from 127 votes
5 Star
36%
4 Star
45%
3 Star
16%
2 Star
3%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#2

in Mount Sanitas

#31

in Colorado

#102

Overall
126 Views Last Month
24,487 Since Nov 15, 2014
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
0%
1%
32%
14%
53%
0%
Add a Photo

Photos

Sunrise from Mt Sanitas
Nov 3, 2017 near Boulder, CO
Beautiful descending views
May 15, 2015 near Boulder, CO
Wildflowers in the Spring
May 15, 2015 near Boulder, CO
The top of Mount Sanitas looks out at the beauty of Boulder and the Flatirons.
Apr 12, 2017 near Boulder, CO
Arriving at the summit, just missed the sunrise.
Dec 2, 2018 near Boulder, CO
Sunshine Canyon
Jan 7, 2024 near Boulder, CO

0 Comments

Weather

Current Trail Conditions

Minor Issues 26 days ago
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Dec 19, 2023
J M
Oct 2, 2023
Geoff Lusk
Conditions were great, a sign on the way up warned of a wasp's nest just off the trail but I didn't see any wasps. — 1h 30m
May 20, 2023
Orion Endres
Mar 21, 2023
M K
Fun day! 3.2mi — 2h 00m
Sep 11, 2022
Becky Werle
Carrying Noa 3.2mi
Aug 13, 2022
Caitlin Knight
Did Mt. Sanitas in 51 minutes, then went down on East Ridge into Sanitas Valley to complete the loop 3.7mi — 1h 38m
May 30, 2022
WILLIAM FENWICK
Memorial Day hike with Shannon 3.4mi — 1h 41m
Apr 22, 2022
Brian Baker

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