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Free weekend shuttle service to the Hessie Trailhead and Fourth of July Road begins Saturday

Hessie Trailhead
Posted at 12:20 PM, May 20, 2019
and last updated 2019-05-20 15:10:38-04

BOULDER COUNTY, Colo. — The free weekend shuttle service to the Hessie Trailhead west of Nederland begins Saturday.

The shuttle will run between the trailhead, which starts near the western edge of the small town of Eldora, and the Park-n-Ride station at 300 S. Jackson St. in Nederland.

The Hessie Trailhead is a popular entry point to the Indian Peaks Wilderness Area and Fourth of July Road. The latter continues about four miles northwest of the trailhead to a campground.

Parking at the Hessie Trailhead is extremely limited. Visitors who park outside the permitted areas may be fined and could have their vehicle towed.

The shuttle will run every 18-20 minutes on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. It will also be in service for certain holidays this summer and fall. There are a few exceptions to this schedule, including:
· Sunday, May 26: Shuttle will run 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
· Monday, May 27: Shuttle will run from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
· July 4 and 5: Shuttle will run from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
· Sept. 1: Shuttle will run 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
· Sept. 2: Shuttle will run 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

On Sept. 7, the shuttle service will shift to its fall schedule, which is 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The last day of service is Oct. 6.

Leashed dogs are welcome. Bikes are not allowed.

The free shuttle program began in 2012 after an increase in parking and traffic congestion near the trailhead. Over the past seven years, the program has seen increased numbers almost every year. In 2018, more than 11,860 people used the shuttle to access the trails.

Want to leave your car closer to home? Visitors are welcome to take the RTD N Route, which runs from the downtown Boulder Station (1800 14th St., Boulder) to the Nederland Park-n-Ride station on S. Jackson Street.

For more information, visit Boulder County’s website on Hessie Trailhead or contact Andrew Barth at abarth@bouldercounty.org or 303-441-1032.