Walker Ranch
Author
Trail stats
- Distance
- 7.31 mi
- Elevation gain
- 1,568 ft
- Technical difficulty
- Moderate
- Elevation loss
- 1,568 ft
- Max elevation
- 7,335 ft
- TrailRank
- 24
- Min elevation
- 6,439 ft
- Trail type
- Loop
- Time
- 4 hours 26 minutes
- Coordinates
- 267
- Uploaded
- July 17, 2020
- Recorded
- October 2018
near Crescent, Colorado (United States)
Viewed 69 times, downloaded 2 times
Itinerary description
Walker Ranch Loop is one of Boulder's most popular multi-use trails, open to hiking, running, biking, fishing, horseback riding and pets. This 4-season loop is highlighted by South Boulder Creek, rolling meadows, interesting rock formations and diverse wildlife. The Walker Ranch Loop is comprised of 4 trails:
Columbine Gulch: (1.65 miles)
Eldorado Canyon: (0.95 miles)
Crescent Meadows: (2.45 miles)
S. Boulder Creek: (2.65 miles)
3 main trailheads access the Walker Ranch Loop:
Crescent Meadows Trailhead
South Boulder Creek Trailhead
Ethel Harrold Picnic Area
You can also reach the loop from Eldorado Canyon State Park via the Eldorado Canyon Trail to create a much longer and challenging 13.9 mile route. The following description begins on the Columbine Gulch Trail from the South Boulder Creek Trailhead and travels clockwise:
The trail climbs .85 miles to a 7,300' ridge with views, then drops steeply on shaded switchbacks to the Eldorado Canyon Trail (1.65 miles : 6,795'). Turn right on what's now a fire road (the Ethel Harrold Picnic Area and parking lot is just .25 miles to the left on this road).
The fire road runs up, then down for .95 miles to a seamless but well-marked merge with the Crescent Meadows Trail (2.6 miles : 6,495').
Bear Right and merge onto the Crescent Meadows Trail (bearing left and continuing on the Eldorado Canyon Trail would leave the Walker Ranch Loop and take you into Eldorado Canyon State Park).
The Crescent Meadows Trail bends southwest, crosses South Boulder Creek (6,465'- the Loop's lowest point), and follows a rocky path to steep, newly built steps that lead up to a narrow ridge. Bikers will need to dismount and carry up this short section.
Smooth track and pleasant scenery mark the next 2.3 mile, 700' net climb to the Crescent Meadows Parking Lot and South Boulder Creek Trail split (5.05 miles : 7,345').
The South Boulder Creek Trail drops steeply for 1.25 miles on winding switchbacks through mixed pine to South Boulder Creek (6.3 miles : 6,740').
It crosses over on a wide bridge to the north bank and levels for several hundred yards beside it. This short section offers good access for anglers and views of the creek.
Just past Mile Marker 1 (6.65 miles : 6,740') the trail turns sharply left and begins a strenuous, winding climb back to the South Boulder Creek Trailhead (7.7 miles : 7,287').
Columbine Gulch: (1.65 miles)
Eldorado Canyon: (0.95 miles)
Crescent Meadows: (2.45 miles)
S. Boulder Creek: (2.65 miles)
3 main trailheads access the Walker Ranch Loop:
Crescent Meadows Trailhead
South Boulder Creek Trailhead
Ethel Harrold Picnic Area
You can also reach the loop from Eldorado Canyon State Park via the Eldorado Canyon Trail to create a much longer and challenging 13.9 mile route. The following description begins on the Columbine Gulch Trail from the South Boulder Creek Trailhead and travels clockwise:
The trail climbs .85 miles to a 7,300' ridge with views, then drops steeply on shaded switchbacks to the Eldorado Canyon Trail (1.65 miles : 6,795'). Turn right on what's now a fire road (the Ethel Harrold Picnic Area and parking lot is just .25 miles to the left on this road).
The fire road runs up, then down for .95 miles to a seamless but well-marked merge with the Crescent Meadows Trail (2.6 miles : 6,495').
Bear Right and merge onto the Crescent Meadows Trail (bearing left and continuing on the Eldorado Canyon Trail would leave the Walker Ranch Loop and take you into Eldorado Canyon State Park).
The Crescent Meadows Trail bends southwest, crosses South Boulder Creek (6,465'- the Loop's lowest point), and follows a rocky path to steep, newly built steps that lead up to a narrow ridge. Bikers will need to dismount and carry up this short section.
Smooth track and pleasant scenery mark the next 2.3 mile, 700' net climb to the Crescent Meadows Parking Lot and South Boulder Creek Trail split (5.05 miles : 7,345').
The South Boulder Creek Trail drops steeply for 1.25 miles on winding switchbacks through mixed pine to South Boulder Creek (6.3 miles : 6,740').
It crosses over on a wide bridge to the north bank and levels for several hundred yards beside it. This short section offers good access for anglers and views of the creek.
Just past Mile Marker 1 (6.65 miles : 6,740') the trail turns sharply left and begins a strenuous, winding climb back to the South Boulder Creek Trailhead (7.7 miles : 7,287').
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