Boulder Creek Path

This morning I ran a different portion of the Boulder Creek Path, past E. Fine Park and into Boulder Canyon.  There were many fewer people since this part of the path heads away from downtown.  I learned a bit of Boulder history- more on that another time.

Since there were some clouds this morning,  I decided it would be a good day to hike the Royal Arch Trail.  The ranger said to allow at least 1.5 hours when I previously inquired.  So, I filled my new 32 ounce water bottle, applied sunscreen, and started out.  I began on the Chautauqua Trail, then connected with Bluebell-Baird, and on to Royal Arch. The sign for Royal Arch said 1.1 miles.  Piece of cake, I thought.  I'll be to the top and back in an hour.  Hah!

The path quickly changed from packed dirt to rocks, boulders, dirt steps with logs to hold the dirt, and more rocks.  It seemed that some of the rocks had been placed to form steps.  This was no longer easy going.  Each person on the way down said, "It's worth it!"  When I felt I had climbed enough to be near the top, a couple heading down said at least 30-40 minutes more before the top of the trail and the Royal Arch itself.  How could that be possible? I soldiered on, as the saying goes.  Along the way I met another fellow hiker, George, from the Bay Area.  We chatted, climbed together, and swapped cameras. Once we reached the top, we joined others, and a few people made jokes- no elevator?  no Starbucks?  Reluctantly, we each left the relaxing perch on the rocks and headed back.

I don't know which was better- the view from the top or the satisfaction of the climb.  I was further humbled when I was later walking through the garden at Chautauqua to get lunch.  An older guy was sitting with an ice pack on his knee.  I shouted that I needed that too, after the Royal Arch hike.  He agreed that it was steep, and that he made that hike all the time.  Sigh.  He did, however, give me credit for making the climb after only a week in Boulder.