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Mallory Cave Trail

 4.3 (7)
  1. Areas
  2. CO
  3. …Front Range
  4. …Boulder
  5. Chautauqua Park
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Length

0.8 Miles 1.2 Kilometers

49%

Runnable

Elevation

866' 264 m

Ascent

-10' -3 m

Descent

22%

Avg Grade (12°)

49%

Max Grade (26°)

7,076' 2,157 m

High

6,210' 1,893 m

Low

Conditions

All Clear 56 days ago
Dry History
Getting forecast...

“A steep trail to nice cave (cave currently closed). ”

— Dana Prosser
GPX File — Driving Directions

Overview

Features: Birding — Cave — Views — Wildflowers — Wildlife [Add/Remove]
Dogs: Unknown, please tell us

Description [Suggest Changes]

The Mallory Cave Trail is a short, steep run to a large cave. The cave was originally discovered by loggers cutting down trees on Dinosaur Mountain, and then re-discovered in 1932 by a University of Colorado Student named E.C. Mallory.

Begin running from the NCAR parking lot. Head west on this trail until you intersect the Mesa Trail. Turn left on the Mesa Trail, and then quickly head west up the clearly marked trail to Mallory Cave.

This steep trail leads you up Dinosaur Mountain through impressive sandstone formations with outstanding views of Boulder and the plains back east.

At the end of the run, keep an eye out for a red rock staircase which leads straight up to the final staging area before climbing to the cave itself.

Note: Mallory Cave is closed until further notice, but the trail remains open. The closure is due to an epidemic of white-nosed syndrome, a fungal disease that has destroyed bat populations across the country. Humans are thought to be the main cause of spreading.

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Your Check-Ins

Check-Ins

Mar 16, 2017
Jason Antin
Up and Over Mallory Cave from NCAR 4mi
Mar 14, 2017
Jesse Hermreck
Feb 1, 2017
Jesse Hermreck
Jan 30, 2017
Jesse Hermreck
Apr 20, 2015
Kaylee Mickens
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.3 from 7 votes

#6

in Chautauqua Park

#4091

Overall
  4.3 from 7 votes
5 Star
29%
4 Star
71%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Rankings

#6

in Chautauqua Park

#336

in Colorado

#4,091

Overall
305 Views Last Month
1,492 Since May 12, 2015
Intermediate Intermediate
0%
29%
57%
14%
0%
0%
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Photos

Looking out from ledge on Dinosaur Mountain trail that leads right above Mallory cave to rock climbing areas.
Looking out from ledge on Dinosaur Mountain tra…
 4
Mallory Cave is a must see in Chautauqua.
Mallory Cave is a must see in Chautauqua.
 3
Mallory Cave is gated off to humans, but large slits allow flying creatures to reach their homes inside.
Mallory Cave is gated off to humans, but large…
 3
You'll have a pretty awesome view from Mallory Cave.
You'll have a pretty awesome view from Mallory…
 3

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