Walker Ranch Open Space | Walker Ranch Loop Trail
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Recreation Trails Walker Ranch Open Space
Walker Ranch Open Space is a backcountry open space that offers about 3500 acres of beautiful terrain and over 10 miles of trails. Walker Ranch also offers access to South Boulder Creek and great fishing. Within the Walker Ranch Open Space there are two main trail areas - Walker Ranch Loop and Meyer's Homestead Trail. We'll cover the Walker Ranch Loop on this page. You can find out about the Meyer's Gulch / Homestead Trail here.
Walker Ranch Loop Trail is a long and moderately strenuous loop featuring a very nice mix of open areas, wooded forest, and technical trail. Walker Ranch is a favorite trail for local mountain bikers and provides some wonderful downhill. The eastern section of the trail, near the connection to Eldorado Canyon Trail has some steep staircase conditions and is not advised for equestrian use.
On foot Walker Ranch trail provides a long moderately strenuous trek so provide plenty of time to complete the loop before dark. The trail is of moderate difficulty for the hiker but can be a more challenging trail for mountain biking. The trail crosses Boulder Creek twice and provides numerous opportunities to see a wide variety of birds and wildlife.
Walker Ranch has a pretty significant amount of climbing for a foothills trail with nearly 1700 feet of climbing for the total trip. South Boulder Creek provides great fishing with both bait and fly fishing permitted.
- Trail Stats
- Connections
- Photos
- Directions
- Fishing
Distance |
Total: 7.8, Loop |
Miles |
Physical Difficulty Technical Difficulty Elevation Gain Starting Elevation Max. Elevation Min. Elevation Facilities Fees Wheelchair Use Mountain Bikes Dogs Horses Fishing Snowshoe X-Country Ski Agency Trail Map |
Moderate Moderate / Challenging 1700 for the loop 7287 7363 6465 Picnic tables, Restrooms None Not Accessible except Ethel Harrold Trailhead Yes Yes, leashed Yes, eastern leg very dangerous for horses. Cold water, fly fishing, live bait OK. Yes NA / Unknown Boulder County Parks & Open Space Available Here PDF |
Feet Feet Feet Feet
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Highlights |
3 trailheads to choose from. Picnic area at South Boulder Creek and the Ethel Harrold trailhead off Pika road. Nice variety of terrain from open areas to thick fir/ponderosa forest. Boulder Creek crossings and fishing.. |
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Comments |
Heavy weekend use. Mountain Lion territory |
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Eldorado Canyon Trail |
3.5 miles to Eldorado Canyon State Park from the eastern portion of Walker Ranch Loop Trail. Meyer's Homestead trailhead is on the other side of the road 0.5 miles north from the Walker Ranch Trailhead. |
Walker Ranch Trail Segment
Mountain Biking Bliss, Walker Ranch
Walker Ranch Trail Segment
Photos courtesy of J. Thomas, Boulder Colorado Photographer - All Rights Reserved©
Directions to Walker Ranch
Walker Ranch Open Space is located about 8 miles west of Chautauqua Park on Flagstaff Road (baseline while in Boulder). Follow Flagstaff Road for 7.9 miles to the trailhead on your left. Watch for Deer in the area and on the roads. Nearby Meyer's Homestead is 0.5 miles on the right, before the Walker Ranch trailhead on the left.
An additional trailhead is off Pika Road (off Flagstaff road in the same area) and offers a picnic area and grills.
Fishing at Walker Ranch - Boulder Creek Access.
Setting Season Services Elevation Facilities Fees Wheelchair Use Dogs Fly Fishing Ice Fishing Bait Permitted Agency Trail Map Fish Types |
Mountain Creek, Beautiful mountain setting. Year - Round None 6500 Picnic tables, Restrooms No Fishing Areas Not Accessible Yes Yes No Artificial and Live Boulder County Parks & Open Space Available Here PDF Rainbow Trout |
Feet
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Highlights |
Picnic area at South Boulder Creek. Periodically stocked with Rainbow Trout. |
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Comments |
Anglers can gain access to this area by hiking the South Boulder Creek Trail from the South Boulder Creek trailhead off of Flagstaff Road or from the Ethel Harrold trailhead off Bison Road. All Colorado state fishing regulations apply. South Boulder Creek is fed from Gross Reservoir to the west and it periodically stocked with Rainbow Trout. |
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