Planning my Grand Teton trip

Chautauqua Park is a classic Boulder trailhead, but it’s especially magical early in the morning before most hikers arrive. With multiple loop options, it’s easy to adjust the hike to your time and energy level. Plus, it’s dog-friendly, making it perfect for your four-legged adventure buddies. Bring plenty of water for both you and your pup, especially in the summer heat! This is a crushed gravel and dirt trail, if you venture onto the Flat Irons Loop, this gets rocky and dogs can suffer cut pad...

The Flatirons Loop is a Boulder icon, and for good reason. The combination of Ponderosa Pine forested switchbacks at the base of the Flat Irons, and open meadows provides great variety, and the rock formations make for some Instagram-worthy shots. While it’s a popular trail, heading out early in the morning or after work helps you avoid the crowds. Be prepared for a bit of elevation gain—this is a great workout in under two hours. These moderate grades make this an ideal trail for runners and a ...

If you want a quick escape after work, Green Mountain is the perfect trail. Located just minutes from downtown Boulder, it offers a moderately steep climb with sweeping views of the Flatirons at the top. The trail is well-marked and usually quieter if you go on weekdays. Pro tip: Bring a headlamp if you’re heading up near sunset, as the descent can get dark quickly. Perfect for those who need a dose of nature but don’t have time for an all-day adventure. Bring you pup, horse, or hike alone for a...

Every year, right after Memorial Day weekend, I make my favorite trip of the season— a drive up Trail Ridge Road to the Alpine Visitor Center in Rocky Mountain National Park. Yes, I know, living in Boulder, Colorado does have many advantages and this is one of them! This is the sweet spot. The plows have carved massive snow walls through the high-altitude passes, and for a brief window, you can drive through towering corridors of snow before they melt away in the early June sun. The week after M...

Rama Prasad always knew she had a knack for numbers. Growing up in India, she watched her father—a civil engineer—bring complex ideas to life, and realized early on that engineering was in her DNA. That talent and curiosity took her to one of the most prestigious engineering schools in the country, where she was one of only seven women accepted out of 300 students. “Back then, it was rare,” she recalls. “But I never thought of myself as different. I just loved solving problems.” After earning he...