Sourdough Brainard Lake Trail

Closest Major City: Boulder

Distance: 12.00 miles (19.31 KM)

Description:
The Sourdough Trail is one of the nicest single-tracks in Boulder County. When many other trails in the area turn sandy toward the end of summer, the Sourdough is still hard-packed dirt because it's shaded and at high altitude. Begin by climbing rather steeply through a section of dense pine forest on switchbacking, occasionally rocky/technical trail. This is fairly slow going, as indicated by the three to four hour ride time for a 12 mile single-track. The route is well marked at every intersection. Cross a bridge and continue climbing. The top of the climb is at 10,500 feet; be prepared for variable conditions (there is snow early June and October). There are views toward the plains in the few places where there are breaks in the otherwise dense forest. From the top of the trail, switcback downhill on buffed single-track to the paved Brainard Lake road. Return as you came

Directions to the trail:
From Canyon and Broadway in Boulder, drive west on Canyon (Hwy. 119) to Nederland and turn right on Highway 72 East toward Ward. Drive 7.5 miles and turn left on the C.U. Research Station road (FS 298). Continue 0.4 miles to the Sourdough trailhead and park off the road.