Horseshoe-Hippo-Hay Loop

Dogs Leashed

Moderate climb to start through some rock piles and up a forested hill, then flatish and slightly downhill through the forest to a secluded, open, grassy meadow and the Soda Creek homestead. Then climb up the Hay Trail and catch a nice easy downhill straight back to the start.

Porto-potty in the parking lot at the start.

Start up from the parking lot on the Horseshoe Trail. After hiking over the rocky start and up the hill, take your first left onto the Colorado Trail towards Gold Hill. Climb up the path through the woods. Stay straight at the Blair Witch turnoff and continue through the trees until you see a right turn off the Colorado and onto the Hippo Trail. Follow the Hippo Trail through the woods, down a delightfully nice decline.

When the trail opens up you'll continue downhill along the Soda Creek trail to your right. Stay on Soda Creek past Horseshoe Trail. Your next right will be Hay Trail, you'll see the Soda Creek Homestead off in the distance. Turn right onto the Hay Trail (or for more mileage and climbing continue past the homestead to the Red Trail).

After a short and manageable singletrack climb you'll see a little log structure to your left where the Blair Witch connects. Head straight back downhill on the Horseshoe Trail down to the car.

There is a sign to look out for moose but I've unfortunately never seen one.