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A technical trail with great views of the reservoir and surrounding hills.


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Map Key

4.9

Miles

7.9

KM

Lollipop

5,615' 1,712 m

High

5,182' 1,579 m

Low

588' 179 m

Up

588' 179 m

Down

5%

Avg Grade (3°)

18%

Max Grade (10°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Closes due to mud after heavy rain, check here for trail conditions

Overview

If you're looking for a fun trail not far from town, this one is great! Be sure to bring your 4-legged hiking-buddy! This is a very dog-friendly area.

Need to Know

There is a bathroom at the start/finish of the loop as well as a dog bag station. Not much shade on this route at all unless you're there in the evening when the sun is going behind the hills.

There is a "shortcut" trail that you can connect with on the western side of the hill near the 2.25-mile mark. The shortcut heads southeast and takes you up and over the hill where you can connect to the main trail and head back north (left). This cuts off roughly a mile from the route.

Description

From the trailhead, follow Michaud Spur as it gradually begins to climb and become rockier. Around the 1.25 mile mark, the trail comes to a T. This is where you'll head to the right (north) on North Loop Trail to start the loop portion of the route in a counter-clockwise direction.

Your first stop for a beautiful view is about the 1.65-mile mark when you reach the top of the hill on Interpretive Loop. Take a moment at the top to catch your breath and enjoy the view of the valley to the west, especially beautiful dusk.

Enjoy the downhills, rolling terrain, and easier footing before climbing back over the hill to hike down on the eastern side around the 3-mile mark. As you head over the top and begin to come down the other side, the trail will again come to a T, head left (north) on North Loop Connector to stay on the loop.

Stay to the right on Foothills Trail when you come to a Y in the trail around mile 3.2 and continue back to the first T that you came to, this time you'll be around 3.5 miles. Turn to the right (east/southeast) and continue downhill. Retrace your steps back to the parking lot. Stay left at the Y around mile 4.5, or you'll be adding bonus mileage hiking to a different parking lot!

Flora & Fauna

Beautiful wildflowers in the summer along the trail. Deer are often out grazing along the hillside.

Contacts

Shared By:

Deborah Gulley

Trail Ratings

  4.2 from 19 votes

#1336

Overall
  4.2 from 19 votes
5 Star
32%
4 Star
53%
3 Star
16%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

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4,112 Since Apr 15, 2015
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Photos

Greeted with a view of Horsetooth Reservoir after a steady moderate incline.
May 22, 2024 near Bellvue, CO
This photo is the view looking back to the northwest just before cresting the hill and going down to the east.
Jun 10, 2015 near Laporte, CO
Evening view looking over the valley to the west at the 1.65 mile mark of the route.
Jun 10, 2015 near Laporte, CO

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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Apr 3, 2023
Katie Osland
4.9mi
Aug 27, 2022
Caroline Bohm
9h 30m
Aug 21, 2022
Donald Blake
4.9mi — 2h 01m
Nov 11, 2021
Sean Villagracia
3.8mi — 1h 27m
Dec 20, 2020
Brian Baker
Packed snow and frozen ground. 4.9mi
Jan 6, 2019
Curt Reynolds
Not particularly difficult, but there are many loose rocks and some deceptive grades. 4.1mi — 1h 44m
Dec 31, 2018
Mark Gueswell
Kenzie and Allie 4.9mi
Aug 29, 2018
Brennan Bull
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