Johnny Park Connector

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · Lake · Wildflowers

This trail is the key connection between the Hall Ranch/Button Rock trail systems to the east and the wilder Forest Service trails and roads to the west. This is how you connect Lyons with Allenspark.

From the west end of the North Shore Trail, bear right on a rough doubletrack road. Hike up a moderate grade for 0.7 miles to a junction. Take a left and continue up the hill southwest for another 0.25 miles before a short respite from the uphill. The trail turns to the right (west) and the grade ramps up again for a final half mile to the saddle to Coulson Gulch. Negotiate a rough stream crossing and you'll find the flower-strewn lower portion of Coulson Gulch Trail #916.

Note that on the trailhead kiosks and many online maps, a shortcut (the Johnny Park Cutoff) is shown, which cuts off the northern portion of the trail. This shortcut does not appear to have been used recently and would be pretty tough going.