Betasso Preserve | Canyon Loop Trail
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Recreation Trails Betasso Preserve - Canyon Loop Trail
Betasso Preserve provides a nice easy to moderate difficulty loop for both hikers and mountain bikers. Mountain bikers are required to all travel in one direction while hikers may travel in either. The direction changes for mountain bikers so over time you can enjoy it in both directions.
The trail is mostly smooth, reasonably wide, and has some nice downhill. Parts of this trail are carved into the side of a steep slope so be careful not to fly off the side of the mountain! In both directions you'll start of in descent and finish climbing. Muddy / slushy spots are often present in the wetter seasons on trail corners on north-facing slopes.
- Trail Stats
- Connections
- Photos
- Directions
- History
Facilities Fees Camping Fishing Accessibility Agency Trail Area Map |
Group shelter, restrooms, plenty of parking None None None Trailhead areas and shelter only |
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Trailheads |
Canyon Loop Trail Benjamin Trail Bummers Rock (easy/pedestrian) Betasso Link (Difficult connection to 119) |
3.3 mi - Loop 4.0 mi 0.4 mi 1.3 mi |
Highlights & Comments |
Ponderosa pines, meadows, Abert's Squirrels. Group shelter for up to 50 people is available by reservation. Trailhead area is great for picnics. |
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Canyon Loop Trail
| Distance | Canyon Loop Trail: 3.3 mile loop |
Miles |
Physical Difficulty Technical Difficulty Terrain Elevation Gain Starting Elevation Max. Elevation Mountain Bikes Dogs Horses Snowshoe X-Country Ski |
Moderate Easy Hard packed dirt with some rocks 644 6133 6777 Yes except wednesday or saturday. Yes Yes Yes Yes |
Feet Feet Feet
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Comments |
The "traffic flow" direction of this trail depends on the month. See trailhead indications for information. Mountain bikers are required to travel in one direction on the trail. Pedestrians may travel in either direction. See trailhead for information. Mountain biking is not permitted on Wednesdays and Saturdays Nearby Bummer's Rock is closed to mountain biking. |
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Link Trail |
1.25 mile trail down to highway 119 / Canyon Rd. Bikes OK. |
Bummers Rock Trail |
Hiking only short trail near Betasso Preserve |
Sugarloaf Mountain Summit |
Nearby trail to Sugarloaf summit. |
Betasso Preserve in Winter
The skittish Abert's Squirrel is an inhabitant of the Betasso Area
Photos courtesy of J. Thomas Colorado Photographer - All Rights Reserved©
Directions to Betasso Preserve
From Boulder head west on Canyon Rd./Highway 119. Take Canyon/119 for several miles until you reach Sugarloaf Rd turning off to the right. Turn right (north) on Sugarloaf road and follow it until you reach Betasso Rd. Turn right onto Betasso Rd and follow it for about 3/4 mile to the trailhead and parking.
History of Betasso Preserve
Betasso Preserve was adjacent to the old town of Orodell when sawmill and mining operations began in the 1870s. Stagecoaches passed through Orodell between Boulder and Nederland daily. Most of the town of Orodell was destroyed in a fire in 1883, and the sawmills and mining were destroyed in a flood in 1894 and never rebuilt.
The Blanchard family homesteaded the area in 1912 which was later purchased by Steve Betasso who was a hard rock miner, mining gold and tungsten. In 1975, Ernie Betasso's ranch became the open space that it is today. Ernie helped oversee the Betasso Preserve open space until his death in 1983.
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