Boulder, CO: Heil Valley Ranch | Mountain Biking in Colorado

Boulder, CO: Heil Valley Ranch

Snake through ponderosa pines and an unending succession of rock problems on this 9.4-mile lollipop that tops out at a stunning high-desert overlook.

Author:	Bicycling Magazine
Date:	14 Aug 2008 8:23:21 PM
Activity:	Mountain Biking ActivitySearchMountainBiking
State:	Colorado (CO)
Distance:	11.92 mi (Change units)
Elevation:	Total Gain: 3625 ft Total Loss: 3631 ft Net Change: -6 ft
Difficulty:	7 / 10
Tags:	Colorado, Boulder, Denver, Lyons
Rating:	Unrated Rate it

When the summer sun beats down on Boulder, the tree-covered trails at Heil Valley Ranch offer both shaded relief and a moderate technical challenge to intermediate and expert riders. With constant rock problems to navigate along the way, this ride is perfect for those looking to develop handling ability on bumpy terrain.

The Wapiti Trail departs from the parking lot heading north on fire road through an open meadow. Soon after transitioning to singletrack, the trail climbs into the cover of ponderosas and tackles a constant succession of tiny boulders and babyheads on a 1.75-mile climb up to the Ponderosa Loop and similar terrain. Ride Ponderosa counter-clockwise and turn right on the Wild Turkey Trail for an undulating singletrack challenge through pedal-scraping boulder squeezes and hard-packed banked turns. Catch your breath at a captivating viewpoint over St. Vrain Creek to the neighboring Hall Ranch trails before reconnecting with the Ponderosa Loop for the bone-rattling descent back to the trailhead.

-Mapped by Mark Harrison

TO TRAILHEAD: Head north on US 36 and turn left on Lefthand Canyon. Continue 0.7 mile and turn right on Geer Canyon Dr. Go 1.2 miles to trailhead parking on the right.

Position Format:	Datum:

Tracks

Heil Valley Ranch

Dist: 9.34 mi	Points: 993	Calories: none
Time: none	Speed: 0.0 mph	Pace: 0:00 / mi

Ponderosa Loop

Dist: 2.58 mi	Points: 289	Calories: none
Time: none	Speed: 0.0 mph	Pace: 0:00 / mi

Points of Interest

Trailhead

Location: 40.149159°, -105.300095°
Follow the singletrack to the left of the trailhead map/kiosk. This trail leads out of the parking lot and connects with a fireroad stretch that continues for 0.5 mile.

Left Turn

Location: 40.156574°, -105.297943°
Turn left off the fire road onto the singletrack Wapiti Trail. The trail begins climbing across a broad meadow on smooth singletrack and stays that way until it enters the trees.

Foothills View

Location: 40.157608°, -105.298637°
The return trip affords a brilliant view of the Boulder foothills as you bomb down the final stretch of smooth singletrack before turning back onto the fire road.

Into the trees

Location: 40.158344°, -105.300407°
The trail enters the trees and become significantly more rocky as it continues to climb along a manageable grade.

A rare smooth stretch

Location: 40.167774°, -105.296463°
A few brief stretches of smooth gravel provide respites from the bumpy ride up the Wapiti Trail.

Powering up the rocks

Location: 40.173672°, -105.296356°
Power through the last section of rock obstacles up to the 3-way junction of the Wapiti Trail with the Ponderosa Loop. Turn right to follow this track to the Wild Turkey junction. Otherwise, turn right to ride the Ponderosa Loop clockwise and meet up with this track at the overlook.

Wild Turkey Junction

Location: 40.175198°, -105.295013°
Turn right at the 3-way junction onto the Wild Turkey Trail, a 2.9-mile stretch of undulating singletrack with banked turns and plenty of narrow rock passes.

Wild Turkey

Location: 40.177692°, -105.289452°
Wild Turkey at dusk.

Smooth Hardpack

Location: 40.191200°, -105.291084°
Near the end of Wild Turkey, the trail transitions from a baby-head minefield to smooth hardpack. Tires will have lots of grip on this stretch; get out of the saddle to stretch out your muscles and generate some speed on the straightaways.

Overlook

Location: 40.187397°, -105.295136°
At the northern junction of the Wild Turkey Trail with the Ponderosa Loop, a trailside overlook offers spectacular views over St. Vrain Creek to the Hall Ranch trail system across the valley. Dusk riders will enjoy amazing sunsets from this spot. Turn around from the overlook and continue left on the Ponderosa Loop. To the right, the Ponderosa Trail leads away from the overlook on a very bumpy babyhead climb. Both options from this junction are bumpy, but following this track to the left allows for a ride with a bit more rhythm.