
Mule deer
Odocoileus hemionus
Resident campus herd — sometimes visible from the parking lot itself, particularly in winter when they bed near the buildings for warmth.
Photo: NPS Photo — public domain
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Half-mile interpretive loop at NCAR's Mesa Laboratory
Boulder Open Space & Mountain Parks
Trip Builder
Tell us your date and conditions — we'll factor in the 0.4-mi route, 75 ft of gain, and 0.5–1 hour day to assemble the gear that matters in under a minute.
Half-mile interpretive loop at NCAR's Mesa Laboratory. Editorial intro forthcoming.
Dogs: leashes required.
Drive to the west end of Table Mesa Drive in south Boulder. Free parking at the NCAR Mesa Laboratory; the Weather Trail begins from the visitor signage area.
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We'll calculate drive time + a leave-by recommendation to beat the lot fill.
Practical-craft notes for this specific trail — timing, route, photo, etiquette.
Voice-and-Sight tags don't apply at NCAR (different jurisdiction than Boulder OSMP). Dogs must be on hand-held leashes the entire trail or you risk citation by NCAR security.
I.M. Pei's brutalist concrete Mesa Lab is iconic in its own right. Frame the building with the Flatirons behind for one of Boulder's most distinctive architectural photographs. Best in late-afternoon side light.
Unique among Boulder trailheads: the NCAR Mesa Lab visitor center is free, has flush restrooms, and serves coffee from the cafe (when open). Perfect pre- or post-hike stop with kids.
The 0.4mi Weather Trail itself is short — but the connection to Bear Canyon and the longer Mesa Trail extension makes this a viable fitness add-on. Visitor center has a free trail map.
The mesa is consistently windier than Boulder Valley below. Even on a warm day, a windbreaker keeps the experience comfortable. Lightning exposure is real if storms build.
NCAR Mesa Lab parking is the rare Boulder trailhead with FLUSH restrooms, free Wi-Fi inside the visitor center, and a near-zero chance of being full. The 0.4-mile loop is paved and ADA-accessible from the lot. No overnight stays.
Highlighted months offer the best conditions.
NCAR Mesa is one of Boulder's most reliable mule-deer viewing spots — a resident herd has acclimated to the campus and frequently bedds near the trail. Red-tailed hawks and golden eagles ride the mesa thermals year-round; coyotes are heard at dusk.

Odocoileus hemionus
Resident campus herd — sometimes visible from the parking lot itself, particularly in winter when they bed near the buildings for warmth.
Photo: NPS Photo — public domain

Buteo jamaicensis
Soaring the Table Mesa thermals daily; nests in the nearby cliffs.
Photo: USFWS — public domain

Aquila chrysaetos
Photo: USFWS — public domain

Vulpes vulpes
Den sites reported near the lower trail margins — most active dawn and dusk.
Photo: USFWS — public domain
Day-use only — overnight not permitted
Day-use only — NCAR Mesa Lab is federal research property; no camping permitted on the campus or connecting trails.
Curated for this trail's terrain, elevation, and typical conditions.
Easy · Boulder · 3.2 mi · 780 ft gain
Boulder's gateway to the Flatirons — 3.2-mi loop from downtown OSMP
Read the guide →Easy · Boulder · 2.4 mi · 465 ft gain
Mount Sanitas's gentle valley alternative — broad gravel uphill
Read the guide →Easy · Boulder · 1.1 mi · 196 ft gain
Short summit loop with 360° Continental Divide views
Read the guide →We publish photos after a quick moderator review. As soon as a hiker shares conditions out there, they'll appear here.