Lyons Back to Columbine to Cathy Johnson Trail
Trail Map PDF
https://ken-carylranch.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/KCR-Open-Space-Map-Sept-2019.pdf
Trail Map
Chosen Trail
We added about 2 miles to our ride by taking the left fork onto the Lyons Back Trail off the Coyote Song Trail. Yvonne and I rode this in less than an hour with fast walkers. We took Lyons Back Trail then went left on the Columbine Trail, right on the Cathy Johnson Trail then back to Lyons Back. I was worried about a short rocky stair-step but we were able to go around the stairs without a problem.
Trail Experience
Riding from the parking lot on the Coyote Song Trail we took the first left onto the Lyons Back Trail. We headed uphill through the bushes.
We came out above the valley for a great viewpoint.
There was one rocky spot with rock steps. We were able to walk to the right around the rocks. Echo did this barefoot, he is a rockstar!
We came to the fork of the Columbine Trail and started off going left.
More really pretty views as we could see down the hogback.
Stunning fall colors.
The trail wove downhill. The footing was nice and sandy.
We came to the intersection of Columbine and Cathy Johnson. The Cathy Johnson Trail was a wide old service road.
We took the next right to loop back to South Valley Park on the Columbine Trail.
It was really pretty walking uphill through the colors and bushes.
We walked until we met the Lyons back fork and headed downhill.
We carefully we around to the left of the rock steps.
We hooked back up with the Coyote Song Trail and continued left to continue on a longer ride.
Rating
Moderately Easy. This was a great additional loop to the already stunning trails at South Valley Park. The only challenge was the rock stairs but there was an easy path to the side. I would not ride this trail if it was icy or snowy or wet.