With so many trails in and around Boulder County, it's easy to forget some old favorites. It's a good problem to have.

And because there are so many trails, it's easy for area newcomers to miss some of the best. It can take a while to hit every spot around, after all.

So for those in need of a reminder, and those in need of a hint, here are three of Boulder County's most well-known trails. There are options for both the near and far and easy and hard.

Anne U. White Trail

DESCRIPTION: If you're looking for a break from the workday or just a quick way to get on a trail, this secluded trail in North Boulder is one of the closest to town.

It's a good spot to find wildflowers in the summer and spring, but it can still be beautiful in winter. It's icy in the spots that don't get much sun, so snowshoes or shoe chains, such as Yaktrax, are a good idea.

The hike is a moderate trek between canyon walls that occasionally yield to small meadows. There are also several crossings of Four Mile Canyon Creek, but they may be covered depending on ice and snow on the trail.

The trail is named after a local nature writer and open space advocate.

TO THE TRAILHEAD: Take Broadway or U.S. 36 to Lee Hill Road, then head west for just over one mile. Turn left on Wagon Wheel Gap Road for one mile, then left on Pinto Drive, an unmarked dirt road (look for the green "End of County Maint." sign and the yellow "No Outlet" sign). The dirt road dead-ends at a very small parking area next to the trailhead.

DISTANCE: 3.0 miles round trip.

ELEVATION GAIN: 520 feet.

DIFFICULTY: Easy to moderate.

DOGS/BIKES: allowed on leash; not allowed.

Walker Ranch

DESCRIPTION: Walker Ranch is one of the more popular open space areas in Boulder County, and it deserves that distinction. It has beautiful views and trail options for all levels of fitness.

There are more than 12 miles of multiuse trails at the ranch, which was once one of the largest cattle ranches in this region of the state.

If you're looking for a short hike you can head down the Meyers Homestead Trail to view an old homestead. You can continue past the homestead and go all the way to the edge of Boulder Canyon. The last stretch of the trail before the canyon edge goes through a wide meadow and is beautiful when covered in white.

The Walker Ranch Loop trail is a long hike if done completely, but there are several places to turn around. The surroundings of the trail change often during the loop.

TO THE TRAILHEAD: Take Baseline Road west and continue as it turns into Flagstaff Road. Follow Flagstaff Road for about seven miles until you see the "Walker Ranch, Meyers Gulch" sign on the right side of the road. Turn into the parking area and follow the signs to the trailhead.

DISTANCE: 5.2 miles round trip for Meyers Homestead; 16.4 round trip for Walker Ranch Loop.

ELEVATION GAIN: 600 feet for Meyers Homestead; gain and lose approximately 960 feet for loop trail.

DIFFICULTY: Easy to moderate.

DOGS/BIKES/HORSES: allowed on leash; yes; yes, but equestrians are strongly discouraged from using the eastern leg of the Walker Ranch Loop by the Eldorado Canyon Trail because of steep staircase conditions.

Homestead Meadows

DESCRIPTION: With the plentiful snow we received in December, this trail is a good candidate for a historical snowshoe. The trail empties into Homestead Meadows, where the ruins of several log cabins still exist.

There are several interpretive signs throughout the meadow, and they tell the story of eight families that settled there from 1889 to 1923. The trail also follows a creek most of the way to the meadows.

It could be a good choice for anyone who lives in the northern reaches of Boulder County or southern Larimer County. It's also one of the better trails on the U.S. 36 corridor between Lyons and Estes Park.

TO THE TRAILHEAD: The Lion Gulch trailhead is 12 miles northwest of Lyons on the south side of U.S. 36. It's about seven miles past Pinewood Springs on your left.