Heil Valley Ranch Open Space & Trails
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Recreation Trails Heil Valley Ranch
Update: The new Picture Rock Trail connection at Heil Valley Ranch is now open.
Heil Valley Ranch is made up of 4,923 acres of both grassy valley and ponderosa forest area. The 1.3-mile Lichen Loop Trail, is only open to pedestrians. The 2.5-mile Wapiti Trail, the 2.6-mile Ponderosa Loop Trail, 2.9 mile Wild Turkey Trail loop, and the Picture Rock connection to the Lyons area are open to hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians. This is one of the few Boulder area open spaces where dogs are not permitted. The area features a decent amount of parking and picnic tables at the trailhead along with horse trailer parking.
Wapiti Trail provides access to all the other trail segments of Heil Valley, excluding Lichen Loop. At the top of Wapiti trail are the Ponderosa and Wild Turkey Loops, with the Picture Rock trail heading north from Wild Turkey Trail to Lyons. The overlook is on Ponderosa Loop and is more quickly accessed traveling counter clock-wise.
Heil Valley Ranch trail area is a great destination for hikers and mountain bikers alike. The area is a nice combination of open valley and ponderosa forest. With the exception of the associated Lichen Loop, the trail area is open to mountain biking. Common wildlife in this area includes Mule deer, predatory birds like red-tailed hawks, and even the occasional wild turkey. Heil Valley Ranch is also a migratory location for Elk that come down from the high country in the winter time. The first leg of the trail is called Wapiti trail which is a Shawnee Indian word meaning "white rump", often identified with the North American Elk, though the deer in the area are also white on the behind. Other creatures you might spot are foxes, marmots, rabbits, woodpeckers, and a variety of squirrels. Be careful: As always there is the possibility of running across a black bear or a mountain lion.
Note: Many trail books and references mention a prairie dog colony along Wapiti trail but the colony appears to have relocated away from the trail and is no longer present, sadly.
- Trail Stats
- Connections
- Photos
- Directions
- History
Distance |
Wapiti Trail: 2.5, one way. Ponderosa Loop: 2.6, loop. Ponderosa loop connects at the top of Wapiti Trail. Wild Turkey Trail: 2.9, loop. Picture Rock Trail: 5.5, one way to Lyons area |
Miles |
Physical Difficulty Technical Difficulty Terrain Elevation Gain Starting Elevation Max. Elevation Min. Elevation Facilities Fees Wheelchair Use Mountain Bikes Dogs Horses Fishing Snowshoe X-Country Ski Agency Trail Map |
Easy - Moderate Easy - Moderate, Rocky Single-track, dirt road, with some rockiness 780 5900 6680 5900, trailhead Picnic tables, Shelter, Restrooms. None Picnic area only, trails not accessible Yes No Yes, local favorite for horses. None Yes Yes Boulder County Parks & Open Space Available Here PDF |
Feet Feet Feet Feet
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Highlights |
Old sandstone ruins at the top. Horse trailer parking. Stunning views at the overlooks. Winter Elk migration location. Trailhead is a nice place for a family picnic. |
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Comments |
The road to the trailhead is shared with residents and there are often cows and other animals on the way in. Trail is embedded with rocks which are either annoying or technically interesting to mountain bikers. Heavy weekend use. |
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Connection near trailhead and shares the same parking area as Heil Valley Ranch. Pedestrian only trail. |
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| Picture Rock Trail | Connection at the top of the area. Head up Wapiti Trail to the loops at the top. Picture rock trail connects to the Lyons area from Wild Turkey Trail. |
View of Heil Valley
Wild Turkeys are occasionally seen in the Heil Valley Area.
Trail segment in the Ponderosa Forest of Heil Valley
Heil Valley Ranch Open Space
Trail Segment, Wapiti Trail
Photos courtesy of J. Thomas Colorado Photographer - All Rights Reserved©
Directiosn to Heil Valley Ranch
Heil Valley Ranch Open Space is off Foothills Highway (US 36/CO 7) north of Boulder. Turn West onto Lefthand Canyon Dr (you'll see the Jamestown and Ward sign), then 0.5 miles to make a right at the Heil Valley Ranch sign on Geer Canyon Dr. Drive slowly on the dirt road for 1.3 miles in as it often has animals including cows and deer on it.
History of Heil Valley Ranch
The Heil Valley Open Space was purchased from the Heil family, who still ranch in the area. Native American use appears to date back at least 5,000 years. Solomon Geer is known to have had a homestead here in 1888.
