Hiking and Exercise Lessons Learned 1 Year Postpartum
Following my daughter’s first birthday, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the lessons I learned regarding hiking and exercise during my first year postpartum.
Category: Hiking
Boulder – Bald Mountain Scenic Area (Baby Yuzu’s Second Hike)
Bald Mountain Scenic Area provides an easy 1.1-mile long trail with excellent views that is a great option for a casual hike or a hike with young children. It is definitely worth the trip out there to see the beautiful views. Although it was a bit far for us to drive and hike it with Yuzu, it all depends on your baby’s constitution and how they handle trips and hiking.
Roosevelt National Forest – Ceran Saint Vrain Trail
The Ceran Saint Vrain Trail is a lovely 3.8 mile out-and-back hike in Roosevelt National Forest that is a great option for an easy hike. It is also a convenient spot for backpacking / dispersed camping.
How to Get the Most out of a Hike Postpartum
After giving birth, I only have time to go hiking once a week, so it’s important to me that I get the most out of those hikes. It took a bit of experimentation and experience to learn how to enjoy the short exercising time that I have to its fullest, but I’ve come up with several general principles that I follow to do so. Perhaps they can help others who are navigating their postpartum periods as well.
Boulder – Royal Arch
The Royal Arch Trail is an iconic Boulder hike in the historic Chautauqua Park to a beautiful geological feature. At 3.2 miles with 1,400 ft elevation gain, it is a strenuous hike. It is a great option for anyone who wants to see some highlights of Boulder and Chautauqua Park, while also getting a great workout.
Boulder – Double Hogback
At 3.9 miles long with approximately 1,500 ft elevation gain, this hike around Hogback Ridge Loop twice really packs a punch. It is a great option if you want to get in a quick workout with a substantial amount of elevation gain.
Boulder – Grindstone Quarry Trail at Heil Valley Ranch
Grindstone Quarry Trail, an easy 2.8-mile trail, was one of my favorite hikes at Heil Valley Ranch until it was burned in October by the Calwood Fire. Looking back at these pictures breaks my heart a little, thinking that when this trail opens up, it will look very different. However, I look forward to the day when I can hike this and other trails at Heil Valley Ranch when they open up again, and when the vegetation grows back over the years.
Nederland – Aspen Alley in Autumn
The Aspen Alley hike is just over 2 miles long with less than 200 ft elevation gain. This easy, family-friendly, hike features aspen trees along the central trail that turn beautiful golden yellow before they shed their leaves for winter. It is a great spot to take seasonal photos with the aspens.
Boulder – NCAR Loop
The NCAR Loop in Boulder is a lovely 3.4-mile 700ft elevation gain moderate hike with beautiful views of the Boulder mountains and the Flatirons. If you are looking for a shorter hike that features great Boulder views, this is the hike for you.
Boulder – Anne U. White Trail
The Anne U. White Trail is a lovely 3.3-mile out-and-back trail located in North Boulder. It is a refreshing hike with a good amount of shade. The best time to visit the trail to enjoy lush green surroundings and a running stream is in spring to early summer.