Catch the Sunrise on Sugarloaf
Boulder, Colorado
Details
Distance
1 miles
Elevation Gain
400 ft
Route Type
Out-and-Back
Description
Added by Eric Schuette
Take in great views of the front range to the East and the Indian Peaks to the West. Sugarloaf offers a great vantage point for watching a sunrise and getting 360 degree views with minimal effort.
To get there from downtown Boulder, head west on CO 119 and almost 4.5 miles after you have left Boulder, turn right onto Sugarloaf Road. 4 miles after the turn from CO 119, turn right onto Sugarloaf Mountain road (located at the top of the road). If the road starts descending, you've gone too far. Take the dirt Sugarloaf Mountain Road 1 mile to the large parking area for the Switzerland Trail.
From the parking lot, look to the east, and you will see a rocky trail heading up to Sugarloaf, with a gate some yards up. Take this trail, and it will wrap around the hill and lead you to the summit. The trail to the top is just over 1/2 mile one-way, gains about 400 feet, and takes about 15-20 minutes
Once at the top make sure to stare off in all directions as the views are amazing!! There are some really interesting sections of the trail that go through areas of older fires that harbor really interesting trees and photographic compositions. Enjoy!!
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Catch the Sunrise on Sugarloaf Reviews
One of the best difficulty-to-view-quality ratios in the area. Nice short hike, cool view at the top.
5.0
I was on the road by 5:00am to make it to the top before the sun rose. It was a fairly easy incline, but I was running off adrenaline to make it before the sun started poking over the mountain. It was by far the widest view I had during my time in Colorado. Once the sun starts making its way up, there is a scramble as a photographer. From the west to the east side, it's a beautiful yet different view on each side. The colors are constantly changing until the sun is all the way up.
4.0
This was such a beautiful hike! Short and sweet... and the sunrise was well worth the early wake up call. Wore crampons for the snow which worked nicely. Would definitely do again!
5.0
I hiked up to watch the sunrise today! It was no less than incredible. Being January though, it was pretty cold with a good amount of snow and ice. I wore crampons and had no issues. Just bring layers and be prepared for wind! The view from the top is well worth it.
5.0
The views are totally worth the early morning (in the dark) hike up. Be sure to take warm clothes in the winter it's very windy. Try to be quite on your way back down in the morning and you may be as fortunate as we were and have a herd of deer cross the trail about 20-ft in front of you.
4.0
My husband and I went on this hike on our honeymoon. It is a short little jaunt to the top with breathtaking views!
5.0
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