SubscribeDate of Trek: Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Quick Summary: A 7.7 mile loop on Walker Ranch with several waterfalls and panoramic views of Eldorado Canyon and Crescent Meadows
Description
A loop trail that starts through open terrain that was burned in a forest fire in 2000. The trail descends down to South Boulder Creek where there is a picnic area and several small waterfalls. The trail then heads south in Eldorado Canyon State Park where you can often view trains traveling along the Rio Grande Railroad. The trail then circles back towards South Boulder Creek and another waterfall as it passes into Eldorado Canyon. From there you start climbing again as you circle back to your starting point.
This route is a multi-use trail so watch for mountain bikers or horse riders as you hike.
| Distance | 7.74 mi / 12.46 km | Starting Elevation | 7244 ft / 2208 m |
| Lowest Elevation | 6542 ft / 1994 m | Highest Elevation | 7362 ft / 2244 m |
What You Will See
Where You Will Go
Details
| Has Facilities | no | Has Food Available | no |
| Facility Info | Food Types | ||
| Has Restrooms | yes | Has Drinking Water | no |
| Restroom Type | covered pit toilet, no running water | ||
| Hours | sunrise to sunset | Parking Spaces | gravel parking lot at trailhead |
| Fees | none | ||
| Trail Usage | hiking,snowshoeing,equestrian,biking / mountain biking | Pets Allowed | yes |
| Terrain | rocky/uneven,dirt | Pet Rules | On a leash at all times. |
| Foliage | deciduous,evergreen,prairie / grassland | Wildlife Possiblities | elk, mule deer, mountain lion, coyotes, bobcat, squirrels |
Trek Report
I hiked this route on a Wednesday morning/early afternoon and still encountered numerous mountain bikers throughout the day. Keep on eye out for them as there are main downhill portions with sharp corners where they can surprise you suddenly.
The waterfalls on this trek are not large. They only drop several feet. But, they are pretty nonetheless and add some variety to the scenery on the hike. The rest of the hike consists primarily of trails through heavy forest, rock formations, and some open prairies. I found myself getting a little bored with the terrain during the last mile or two…but, maybe I was just getting tired. There are some panoramic views of the surrounding valleys, but nothing that I would call really spectacular. Still, it’s a nice hike.
The drive from Boulder to the trailhead was almost as interesting as the hike itself. Heading up Flagstaff Road, you encounter numerous hairpin turns as you climb up the mountain. You’ll also run into many bikers (hopefully, not literally) also making the climb. The are some nice views of Boulder as you travel. Parking in these areas is not free, however, as it is part of the Boulder Mountain Parks system.
