Colorado Summits: Green Mountain (8,144′) via Gregory Canyon

If you have 3 to 5 hours to spare (depending on the strength and speed of your petit pistons), this is another one for a good workout and some great Boulder views . You’ll climb some 2300′ above the city and cover around 5.5 miles round trip. Park at Chautauqua Park (or Gregory Canyon area, once it opens after flood repairs), and then take the Amphitheater-Saddle Rock-Greenman trail combination to the summit at 8,144′.

For photography, you’ll have to work for your summit images as trees close off some of the vistas (thus, Bear Peak is still my favorite for making pictures of the world below). Still, it’s a fun trip to a relaxing lunch spot. Climb the summit boulder and  match up the distant high points of the Continental Divide with the peaks named on the giant, round, bronze monument.

Some selected images (from yesterday, mid-afternoon):

Layers, #1. From Green Mountain, Boulder, Colorado, 2014 (The view to the southwest.)

Storm Over Twin Sisters. From Green Mountain, Boulder, Colorado, 2014 (Looking north.)

Bear Peak Profile. From Green Mountain, Boulder, Colorado, 2014. (Looking south. South Boulder Peak is up the right-hand ridge.)

First Flatiron Profile, #1. Green Mountain, Boulder, Colorado, 2014. (From the Saddle Rock Trail.)