7-14-2018 NCAR - Bear Canyon Loop

This terrific hike is in Boulder about 40 minutes away from Denver.  The ultimate payoff is not an expansive vista, although you get one by default, it is the NCAR Mesa laboratory  and visitor center that stands atop the Bear Canyon Loop.

It doesn't look too far but it's an almost 2 mile winding hike to the top.  This hike does not offer much shade for most of the trek so make sure to bring lots of water on those hot sunny days.

Once you get to the top there are many educational plaques on the way to the NCAR building

Inside the building there are many areas to explore that detail how weather works, especially in this area. There are bathrooms and a place to refill your empty water bottles as well.  I didn't have time to take it all in but this is high on my list of hikes/destinations I want to revisit sooner rather than later.  And the great thing it that his is free to the public.  You just need to pay with exercise.

Instead on doubling back I found a small trail that completed the loop and led back to my car.  However, it is hard to recommend doing what I did as the trail becomes narrow with tall grass on each side making hard to tell if there are any creepy crawlies anywhere.  And about half way down the mountain I came across this mess which I was certain I needed to turn around. This was an immediate "No way this is happening" moment as it looked dishearteningly impossible to penetrate.

After backtracking a little ways and looking for another trail that I may have missed I saw no other choice than to push forward.  After a solid tentative 5 count I barreled through it without issue.  It only took about 2 seconds to get through but was still not optimal and hard to recommend to others to try.  Next time I would double back and that's not much of an issue as the views are terrific anyways.  After that, you hit a fairly wide trail with nice views which goes straight back to the access point.

UCAR Visitor Center info:
https://scied.ucar.edu/visit 

Hiking info:
https://dayhikesneardenver.com/bear-canyon-loop-hike-ncar/