North Teller Lake

North Teller Lake
City of Boulder Open Space & Mountain Parks

Date Hiked: March 22, 2014

Distance: 1 mi (RT)

Elevation Gain: Negligible

Teller Lakes Trail Map (City of Boulder)
North Teller Lake Trail Map (Google Maps)

Directions:  This short lakeside hike starts from the North Teller Lake Trailhead on Valmont Road, east of Boulder.  From Boulder take Hwy 7 (Arapahoe Road) east, past Valmont Reservoir.  Make a left (north) on N. 75th Street, and turn right (east) on Valmont Road.  The trailhead is on the right.

When the Front Range gets a March Saturday, like today, where you can't see the mountains, can't see the foothills, and can't see blue sky, where is one to go hiking?  The plains.  Today I explored east Boulder looking for a cool trail to stretch my legs in the softly blowing snow.  I stumbled upon North Teller Lake.  It was nice...fine...pleasant.  If you're ever in the area and looking for a short lakeside trail, I'd check this out, but I wouldn't really go out of my for this hike.  The official trail leads to a lookout, and a nice area to do some fishing.  Past the official trail, a single track leads around the north and east lake shores, but does not connect to a loop.  There is nothing more pointless to me, then a lake, in a public land park without a loop trail, oh well....  Honestly, on a cold, snow blowing day like today, this hike was exactly what I needed, short and pleasant.

You can add some distance from this trailhead by following the East Boulder - Teller Farm trail nearly 2 miles south to Teller Lake #1.  I've never hiked that trail but it looks pretty and would make for a nice trail run.  I'll have to come back some time and explore further.