Green Mountain

Route Description for Green Mountain

Begin the hike from the Gregory Canyon Trailhead. Head right, hiking along Gregory Canyon Trail, slowly gaining elevation as you climb your way up the canyon.

Towards the top of Gregory Canyon, you will run into a trail junction. Go left here and take Ranger Trail towards the historic Green Mountain Lodge and then continue on towards Green Mountain. Ranger Trail is a steep hike through a dense pine forest.

On the Ranger trail you will go through a junction, go right, staying on Ranger Trail (left goes on the Saddle Rock Trail). Continue on Ranger trail, here the hike follows a ridge until it meets up with EM Greenman Trail.

Turn left to take EM Greenman Trail, and a final steep climb gains the summit. On the top of Green Mountain (2,482 m) a single large boulder caps the top of the mountain. For the best views, climb the easy ramp up the boulder to the summit marker which serves as a guide for the surrounding peaks. From here you can see Mt. Meeker (4,240 m), Longs Peak (4,345 m), North Arapahoe Peak (4,117 m), Mt. Evans (4,346 m), and many more.

To descend from Green Mountain, continue along EM Greenman Trail as it snakes its’ way down from the peak. Soon the Saddle Rock Trail connects onto the EM Greenman trail. The two trails split a short while later. Go right, onto the Amphitheater Trail.

Please note that there is a section of the Saddle Rock Trail that was damaged during the Boulder floods. This section is now a steep washed out section of trail, which has a steel ladder in place for down climbing. If you don’t like ladders you can also return from the summit of Green Mountain by hiking back the way you came, along Ranger Trail. This return is longer than the circular route we describe.

Find more amazing hikes around Boulder:

• Royal Arch Trail
• Bear Peak Hike
• Boulder Creek Path
• Sugarloaf Mountain Trail

Insider Hints for Green Mountain

• Pay to Park at the trailhead unless your vehicle is registered in Boulder County.
• Green Mountain is one of the five tallest peaks along the Boulder Front Range, which can all be linked via the Skyline Traverse.
• Green Mountain, with its considerable elevation gain, is considered excellent training for hikers aspiring to step up to the 14ers (Colorado summits >4,267 m above sea-level).
• Dogs are welcome on leash on this trail. Sections of the EM Greenman Trail is designated Dogs Prohibited; More details can be found here.