From Red Rocks to Boulder: Two Days in Colorado’s Front Range

After a weekend in Denver, we packed up early and headed west into the mountains for a couple more days of adventure. If you’ve only got 48 hours, you can cover a lot of ground between Red Rocks, Boulder, and the trails leading into the Rockies. Here’s how our trip unfolded.

Day 1: Red Rocks, Boulder, and Pearl Street

Morning Workout at Red Rocks

We left Denver around 7 a.m. and drove straight to Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Even without a concert, this place is iconic. The sandstone formations rise around the natural amphitheater, and the whole spot feels like a cathedral built by the earth.

Plenty of people head here for workouts, so we joined in — running the stairs, mixing in push-ups, sit-ups, and just taking in the view. If you’re looking for a memorable way to sweat, Red Rocks makes a regular workout feel legendary.

Hike at Chautauqua Trail

After Red Rocks, we drove up to Boulder to hike the Chautauqua Trail. The hike isn’t long, but it’s steep enough to get your legs moving and rewarding with sweeping views of Boulder and the Flatirons. Looking back over the city framed by the mountains is one of those classic Colorado moments that sticks with you.

Flat Irons above Boulder, CO

Pearl Street + Lunch

Once we wrapped up the hike, we made our way down to Pearl Street, Boulder’s pedestrian mall lined with shops, cafes, and street performers. We stopped at Organic Sandwich Company for lunch, and it turned out to be a gem — fresh, creative sandwiches that hit the spot after a hike. Highly recommend.

Pearl Steet has a plethora of shops for all of your hiking and outdoor adventure needs. We weaved in and out of shops browsing the sales for a few hours while waiting to check in to our hotel. As a northeast guy, Pearl Street reminds me of Church Street in Burlington, VT. Hats off to the City Planners of Boulder for creating a special downtown environment.

Dinner at Pasta Jay’s

For dinner, we’re keeping it simple at Pasta Jay’s, an Italian spot in Boulder with rave reviews. This place lived up to the reviews and was just the carb load needed during a week of hiking through the Rockies.

Day 2: Lake Isabelle via Pawnee Pass Trail

Morning Hike to Lake Isabelle

The next morning, we headed out early to tackle the Pawnee Pass Trail, which leads to Lake Isabelle. Nestled in the Indian Peaks Wilderness, this trail is known for its alpine meadows, crisp mountain air, and a glacier-fed lake that feels like something that should only exist in history books. It’s the kind of hike that reminds you why Colorado sits at the top of so many bucket lists.

Lake Isabelle

Final Thoughts

In just two days, we went from the red rock walls of Morrison to the Flatirons in Boulder to alpine lakes in the Indian Peaks. Colorado’s Front Range packs a ridiculous amount of variety into a small stretch of highway.

If you’re planning a short trip, mix in a workout at Red Rocks, a hike at Chautauqua, lunch on Pearl Street, and, if you’ve got the legs for it, a trek to Lake Isabelle. You’ll leave tired, but in the best way.

Pawnee Pass Trail