For the Thursday Boulder Group Run, we will be running an out-and-back up the beautiful Boulder Canyon on the paved Boulder Creek bikepath.
Location and Meetup:
We will meet at the large parking lot at the Boulder Public Library, which is directly adjacent to the Boulder Creek Path. The parking lot is located at the library address, which is 2001 Arapahoe Ave, Boulder, CO 80302.
The Boulder Creek Path is a great bike, pedestrian, and trail running path through the city of Boulder along the creek. The whole route has excellent scenery of the surrounding nature and mountains. The path is half paved and half gravel mountain trail and is typically at least 8 feet wide. From where we are starting to where the bikepath ends up the canyon, is about 4 miles, but I think we'll probably do about 2.5-3 miles up-canyon, and 2.5-3 miles back down-canyon, for a total of 5-6 miles. If anyone wants to do more, or less, they may, and then just all meet back at the library. But, we'll try and all stay together I think.
Elevation:
The first half of our run, the out part of the out-and-back, will be UP-canyon, meaning we will be going up in elevation the whole first half. It's not like a hill climb, but we will be gradually climbing in the first half. We climb a total of 482 ft. in elevation. Not crazy, but not nothing. We'll be sure to go a pace that is comfortable for everyone.
Then the second half of the run we have the luxury of climbing down the canyon, and loosing the 482 ft, like a plane landing at DIA, we'll be coming in for a smooth landing out of the canyon and touching back down at the Boulder Public Library, and ready for swimming in the creek.
Here is a link to one of my Strava runs on this route so you can see all the elevations of the route:
https://www.strava.com/activities/5570975616
Weather:
It is going to be in the low 90's on Thursday. Please bring a hat and sunscreen. If you have a water vest, I would bring it. I'll have the water, you bring the vest.
One of the great things about starting and ending our run at this location, is that you can take a dip in Boulder Creek after, as the parking lot is adjacent to a part of the creek where it is easy to jump in and take a dip. It's kind of like Boulder's "beach". There will be many other people there tubing and hanging out in the creek. Bring your bathing suit. No need for a towel, you'll dry off in 2 minutes in the hot, dry, hot, western U.S. air. If anyone doesn't have a hat or sunscreen, I will bring extra of both. I will also bring water and snacks.
Closeby:
Another great thing about this starting location is that it's pretty close to downtown Boulder and all the hotels in that area, so if you're staying downtown, you can walk to and from this spot. Also, there a multitude of coffee shops and breakfast spots close to here in case anyone wants to go for a gameday brunch after the run.
Me:
I will arrive at the parking lot at about 9am to get a good spot close to the bikepath. I drive a 4 door white Jeep Wrangler. I will have the back of Jeep open with a table that has some energy gels and water. Look for me at the white Wrangler.
And if anyone is "running" late, don't worry, I'll make sure we wait for you. You can call me and let me know, or I will check the message board here to see if anyone is running late.
If anyone has any questions, please feel free to DM me, or post here.
See you Thursday!
Matt Iarrobino
917.406.6217
Also check out other Trips & Adventurous Activities in Boulder.
