Nugget Hill (Boulder Area, Colorado)

Looking west from near UN 8485'. Mt. Meeker and Longs Peak in the distance on the left and Porphyry Mt. in the foreground on the right. (see Caltopo map link below).

Trip date: April 05, 2020

Caltopo map here: ​https://caltopo.com/m/CLSP

This was in middle of the the initial COVID-19 period in the US.  I picked this place because I figured very few people would be around.  I did actually see some people near the summit of Nugget Hill but in general use seems quite light.  

I wanted to start this route by climbing the eastern-most ridge of Nugget Hill.  There are some foot bridges labeled on the USFS map, but the property owners appear to be trying hard to keep people from using them (if they even still exist).  

These no-name rock faces are so alluring...

Enlarged and contrast adjusted to highlight Porphyry Mt. in the opening photo. Impressive walls in the lower summit.

Old mine prospect???

Near the summit of Nugget Hill

Looking back towards Flatirons. Bear Peak (Left) and South Boulder Peak (Right)

I was planning on descending Gillespie Gulch on my return.  After post-holing through snow in tennis shoes for at least 1.6 miles, I encountered a small parcel of private property that was not labeled on the USFS map.  They had a sign that claimed that the the road was privately managed and could not be passed.  

I always get confused about the regulations on this.  I can't find anything on the USFS website about these special case forest roads.  It seems like a pretty weird deal for the federal government to maintain a road/trail on public property only to have it dead-end on 2 sides.  Isn't this effectively tax dollars paying for someones private access road?  ​

Surprisingly private property on Gillespie Gulch

There was a small troll that had been locked behind this gate. He wasn't happy about it.

The forest service road on the south side of Nugget Hill that descends to Lefthand Canyon Road is really pretty at sunset.  

Finding simple, proud rock features like this that poke out from the trees are some of my favorite parts of these hikes. This one, below Butzel Hill, just made my "to-do" list.

This troll was grumpy but not because of his living conditions. He loves his home but not visitors.

This is the ideal home for a troll. Private, but with heat.

The problem with always smoking the same brand of cigarettes is that when you litter, people know it's you.