Upper Piney River

Distance: 6.4 miles round trip
Elevation: 9,350 ft - 9,910 ft
Elevation Gain: 851 ft (cumulative)
Bathroom at the Trailhead: Port-o-lets
Dogs: On leash, Eagles Nest Wilderness
Date Hiked: 13 July 2014

Cow Parsley along the side of Piney Lake on the Upper Piney Lake Trail.

Upper Piney River Trail in the Eagle's Nest Wilderness out of Vail has views that will make you hyperventilate. The route starts at Piney Lake, one of the highest lakes in Colorado you can drive to, and heads towards the Gore Range's "Grand Traverse", a series of jagged peaks reminiscent of Wyoming's Grand Tetons. Getting to the trailhead, however, is an hour-long journey (at 10 mph) up bumpy dirt road, passable, but not fun, in a 2WD vehicle.

Parking lot at the Piney River Ranch. The trail starts at the lake.

The start of the trail

To get to the Piney Lake, take exit 176 off of west bound I-70 to the frontage road, then turn right onto Red Sandstone Road. A short distance up Red Sandstone, and at a hair pin turn, Forest Service Road (FSR) 700 splits off to the left. This intersection is disconcerting because the paved road whips to the right and the dirt road is straight across. What you don't know, because you come up too fast, is that there is a stop sign for cars coming down Red Sandstone Rd so it is safe to cross. FSR 700 is a long and rocky dirt road that will make you wonder where on earth you are heading. It twists and turns, goes up and down, and splits in several locations. At every intersection is a sign pointing the way to Piney River Ranch, located at the lake, so you should not get lost. At 6.7 miles you'll pass the trailhead to Lost Lake, another nice hike in the area.

Past the lake the valley becomes a verdant marsh.

Fairy trumpets along the trail

Once you get to the Piney Lake there are two parking lots. The one closest to the lake is technically on private property. Since we spent half of our inheritance on some cold drinks after the hike, I did not mind using the lot.

Entering the Aspens

The trail leaves the valley floor and winds up the left side with views of the rocks ahead.

The trail starts right at the lake and heads along the shoreline. At 0.4 miles you enter the Eagle Nest Wilderness. Take a moment to gasp at the view.  Once past the lake, the trail looks down on a verdant marsh. Upper Piney River winds lazily in one continuous S-curve down the valley. Just looking at that peaceful setting made we want to slow down, take deep breaths, and sigh. Isn't it amazing how much effect water has our psyche? 

Looking down on the marsh as the trail begins to ascend

Getting close to the end of the valley

Also in this area is the Marmot gauntlet. There were large boulders overlooking the marsh every 20 yards. Each one had a Marmot family on it with you-tube cute youngsters peaking out from every crevice. Check out these baby Marmots from the American Basin Trail.

After the trail shifts to the right, the terrain is filled with large boulders.

The falls that is the destination of this hike

At 1.0 miles the trail starts to leave the valley and head into the trees. From this point onwards, the trail winds in and out of Aspens as the valley narrows toward a rock wall. At 1.4 miles the trail starts to gain altitude in a series of switchbacks. You know you are getting close when the trail turns sharply to the right at the back of the valley.

At 3.2 miles the trail appears to dead end into a flowing cascade. Follow the social trails to the right to a series of boulder overlooking the torrent. Supposedly an indistinct trail continues for another 4 miles to Upper Piney Lake.

Looking back down the valley near the falls

I have been wanting to do this trail for the last 4 years, ever since we popped up to Piney Lake after hiking to nearby Lost Lake. I had to wait until my dog was old and calm enough to keep on a leash...still not easy! You may not have the restriction, so hold on to your fillings and brave FSR 700, the views are worth it and so much more!

Walker Ranch Loop

Distance: 8 mile loop
Elevation: 7,362 ft - 7,392 ft (yep its a loop)
Elevation Gain: 1,580 ft (cumulative)
Bathroom at Trailhead: No
Dogs: On leash, Boulder County Open Space
Date Hiked: 7 June 2014
Tags: #Boulder, #Eldoradocanyon, #coloradooutdoors, #hiking

South Boulder Creek is one of many diverse terrain features on the Walker Ranch Loop.

The Walker Ranch Loop near Boulder, CO is an amazingly diverse trail with green glades, precipitous descents, cool rock formations, and a rumble-in-your-bones creek. I can't believe I have lived near Boulder for over ten years and have never done it. I was under the misinterpretation that it was just like Eldorado Canyon Trail, which it abuts, but it is so much more.

Map at the trailhead showing the numerous parking areas and stream crossings.

Starting out from the Cedar Meadows Trailhead and heading counter-clockwise.

Indian Paintbrush

There are three trailheads for this loop, three up Flagstaff Road out of Boulder (Boulder County Open Space) and the other (Cedar Meadows) up Coal Creek Canyon Road (part of Eldorado Canyon State Park).  Cedar Meadows is blessedly empty, which on a spring weekend is a novelty not to be missed. Finding a place to park and hike near Boulder can be a trial that is so stressful that it would send the most calm yogi into a week of recuperative meditation.

Leaving the open meadows behind, the terrain shifts to dry Ponderosa Pine, Yucca, and rocks.

Expansive views looking west

The steep steps leading down to South Boulder Creek

Since this is a loop, you can take it in any direction. On this trip we journeyed counter-clockwise. The route starts out crossing gentle hillsides covered in green grasses that wilted in the damp air. Wildflowers dotted the landscape and clouds hung lazily and low over the trees. An unusual June for sure. Before long, the trail drifted into stands of Ponderosa Pine.

Mountain bikers do this trail??

Looking down on South Boulder Creek

After the creek, the route changes to a wide dirt road and heads steadily upwards.

After 1.5 miles or so, the trail begins a steep descent down log steps to the bottom of Boulder Creek. The only way to go is slow, taking each step carefully since they are filled with loose gravel and are narrow in places. I can't image mountain bikers liking this trail for this reason but they just carry their bikes up or down this segment and carry on. South Boulder Creek is a controlled waterway with its volume controlled by the dam at nearby Gross Reservoir. On this trip it was a torrent that shook the earth with its intensity. Falling in would have been an instant death sentence.

Turning from the dirt road back onto a single track. Note the nature sign in the distance. That will be a good thing to look for.

A shaded segment in the trees

On top of the ridge

Beyond South Boulder Creek, the trail rises again and becomes a wide dirt road. At 2.5 miles is the junction with the Eldorado Canyon Trail that heads westward into the State Park. Another mile upwards the trail splits. Head straight up the road and you will dead end at the Ethel Road trailhead. Turn left onto the dirt path to continue the loop.

Starting into the burn area

All the rain we had in June 2014 really had the wildflowers popping.

Looking east. You can see where the trail heads south again from the Walker Ranch trailhead.

The next segment is damper and the trees change to shade-loving Douglas Fir. A small stream gurgles nearby while the trail becomes packed gravel eroded from granite outcroppings. After climbing steadily, the route peaks out on a narrow ridge (at 4.4. miles/912 ft elevation gain) with views to the east and west. The trail winds slowly down this ridge until it reaches the Walker Ranch trailhead at 7,279 ft (1,029 ft elevation gain). It was cold and windy at this point but we were starving and so chose to eat at the picnic table to avoid getting crushed by the hikers and bikers disgorging themselves from the parking lot. Obviously, this is the busiest trailhead on the route.

Approaching the Walker Ranch Trailhead

Leaving the Walker Ranch Trailhead and heading back down to South Boulder Creek

Walking along South Boulder Creek. The roar was palpable.

Continuing counter clockwise, the trail descends rapidly on an eroded path back down to South Boulder Creek. At the bottom (at 6.3 miles) there are several picnic tables that were filled with anglers braving the rushing stream. From this point the route is flat, following the stream until it crosses the creek and begins a short but brutal 0.75 mile climb back up to the Cedar Meadows trailhead.

The path along South Boulder Creek is wide, flat, and very pleasant.

Starting the long slug back to the car

Close-up of some reproductive organs.

The Crescent Meadows trailhead is a separate undeveloped part of Eldorado Canyon State Park. To get to the trailhead drive 7 miles up Coal Creek Canyon from Hwy 93. Go through a small town where you'll see a Sinclair Gas Station on the left. Turn Right on Crescent Park Drive,  travel one mile always staying to your left until you come to a T junction. Take a right at the T and proceed a couple more miles, cross a railroad track. A few hundred feet from the tracks you'll see the dirt lot on your right.

More flowers

Approaching the trailhead

It is hard to find long hikes near Boulder. Walker Ranch will get you in shape for summer hiking while keeping you interested with all of the micro-climates. If you don't live in Boulder itself, the Cedar Meadows trailhead is the way to go.