October Nature Walk: Green Mountain Cemetery

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In 2020 and earlier this year, we limited our hikes to uncrowded areas rich in natural beauty and found that cemeteries met our criteria well. When we met other people, it was easy to distance ourselves socially. A diversity of trees, shrubs, and flowers attracted a diversity of birds and butterflies, and the winding roads made for easy hiking trails. Green Mountain Cemetery, established in 1904, has become a favorite destination.

A “state champion” oak at Green Mountain Cemetery. (Glenn Cushman / Courtesy photo)

Several state champion trees thrive here, including a white swamp oak, chestnut oak, northern red oak, red maple, and American beech. Check out the Colorado Tree Coalition’s “Boulder Tour to Remarkable Trees” online for a map with locations. We are mesmerized by a majestic row of sycamore trees (rare in Boulder) that appear to have been planted along a causeway that has long since disappeared. Many of these trees are now turning yellow, red, red and rich brown.

Our favorite activity here is to park along the road near the highest curve and look for a dirt trail (no sign) that goes up and connects to the Four Pines trail. For a short distance there is a fork on the right that goes down. From this trail you can either take another dirt road eastbound, back to the cemetery, or continue to King Avenue. To complete a loop of about a mile, turn right on King and walk four blocks to 20th Street where a right turn will bring you back into the graveyard.

In spring, a lush wildflower garden, containing mariposa lilies, penstemon, bells, primroses, wild roses and lupines blooms along this stretch. Now in October, prairie grasses color the hillside in cream, beige, and pink tones, and late-flowering bellflowers and asters sometimes surprise us.

The Flatirons soar above Green Mountain Cemetery. (Glenn Cushman / Courtesy photo)

For a longer hike, go up the Four Pines Trail and turn left onto the Kohler Mesa Trail instead of going down King Avenue. This section of the trail climbs a little steep up to Kohler Mesa where several trails go up to the Mesa Trail and its many branch lines.

All of the trails above the graveyard provide a good view of the Flatirons and foothills to the west, the plains that stretch out to the east, and the town of Boulder below.

If you’d rather wander through the shady graveyard instead of the sunny trails, turn left shortly after entering the graveyard and park at the office. Go up along Skunk Creek (no trail) in front of the office. The creek is dry now, but in the spring it usually ends in late June. The double row of sycamore trees is a short distance from the office, and there are several red maples to the east of the office. Walking among tombstones is bittersweet as sometimes we come across familiar names and say a silent hello.

To reach Green Mountain Cemetery, turn south from Baseline Road onto 20th Street and continue 7 blocks to the entrance.

Ruth Carol and Glenn Cushman are the authors of “Boulder Hiking Trails,” published by West Margin Press.

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