Boulder CO in mid-August

[Praki]

Other than the Rocky Mt. NP, any other locations for wild flowers, landscapes around the Boulder area? I will have two hours around dawn and two around for myself. Rest dedicated to a family reunion.

[Colorado David]

Mt. Evans.

[Rajan Parrikar]

The first light on the Flatirons with the university campus in the foreground is beautiful.

[Praki]

Thanks to both of you. I'll check them out.

[Colorado David]

Mt. Evans has a road all the up. There are Mt. Goats that are habituated to humans and are very tolerant. There will be alpine landscape, lakes, etc.

[MrImprovement]

There is so much to see and do, it is tough to know what to recommend! 

If you can easily get to Route 119 (Pearl St, going due west), simply driving a few minutes out of Boulder will put you in various parks with foothills and views of mountains, I think.

You can check out Boulder Mountain Park, which is right next to Boulder; might be perfect as you seem to have time constraints.  I am not sure if this is a city or state park - state parks sometimes charge a daily park fee of about $7.

[rgs]

Mt Evans is great and more accessible than RMP to Boulder unless you like the Estes Park end. I think the best part of that road is the Grand Lake end. You can, however, get above the treeline quickly from Estes Park. Mt. Evans has Bristlecone Pines - the only place in Colorado that does.

But with only two hours, I might go to Colorado Springs and see Garden of the Gods. It's a city park, very accessible, beautiful in the morning, teeming with wildlife, and has lots of well known and not so well known photo sites.

[Willard]

Go to NCAR.  The view of the Flatirons is awesome, early morning.  There are a number of trails that leave the parking area and climb as high as you are able (Green mountain is a good climb and view).  You can spend your precious couple hours hiking instead of driving and you are still in town (sort of speak)
And NCAR is a fun visit in its own right.
https://bouldercolorado.gov/osmp/national-center-for-atmospheric-research-trailhead

[Praki]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Will try them next week!

[TwistedShadow]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Will try them next week!

I don't know if I'm too late but there is a good place to capture the Flat Irons off Hollyberry Ln (323-399 block area).