Heil Valley Ranch
LocationMain Trail-head
Heil Valley Ranch Lichen Loop Boulder, CO 80302 Corral Trail-head 257 Geer Canyon Dr, Boulder, CO 80302 |
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PDF Map
Trail Map
Park Fees
Free.
Trailer Parking
We parked at the Main Trail-head at Lichen Loop. You drive to the very end of the parking area to find the horse trailer/bus/oversized parking lot. It was a pretty big lot and I was very happy to see no cars in our spots.
You could also park at the new Corral Trail-head located at: 257 Geer Canyon Dr, Boulder, CO 80302. We rode through this parking area on our ride and of course found cars parked in the horse trailer only parking.
BathroomsPermanent restrooms.
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WaterNone available.
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Mounting
There was a picnic table and a nice big rock to the right of the bridge.
Footing
Grindstone Quarry - soft
Overland loop lower leg - moderate
Overland loop upper leg - moderately rocky
I recommend all four shoes or hoofboots for these mountain trails. You could probably do the Grindstone Quarry out and back if your horse is barefoot.
Overland loop lower leg - moderate
Overland loop upper leg - moderately rocky
I recommend all four shoes or hoofboots for these mountain trails. You could probably do the Grindstone Quarry out and back if your horse is barefoot.
Horse Hazards
There were some bikers. There are no dogs allowed at Heil Valley Ranch, so that is great news for some riders. We saw a family of deer and Maureen's horse watched them very intently but there were no spooks. In general it is a good idea to have your horse wear a bell when riding mountain trails. It is possible to see mountain lions and it is better to make a little noise. We had a pretty easy water crossing but the trails were on the edges of hills. If you are a nervous rider this is a narrow trail on the edge of a hill so you need a horse you can trust.
Chosen Trail
We rode from the Main trailhead. We crossed the bridge and took a right to pick up the Grindstone Quarry Trail. We rode to the Corral Trailhead then rode the Overland Loop, returned to the Corral Trailhead and headed back to the Main parking lot. We rode a total of 5.1 miles in 2.5 hrs with lots of grass and chatting stops. If you would like a shorter ride I would just ride the Grindstone Quarry Trail as an out and back or ride out on the Grindstone Quarry trail and Back on the Overland Loop lower loop trail.
Trail Experience
Starting from the Main trailhead we hand-walked over the bridge to find the Grindstone Quarry Trail. Once you cross the bridge you see signs indicating that horses are not allowed on the Lichen Loop. Don't worry, pick up the Grindstone Quarry by going to the right in the picture below through the fence.
The trail started off through the pine forest. The trail was nicely built up with rocks and packed dirt.
The trail was soft, shaded and easy.
We wove through the forest and climbed a small hill.
We had pretty views to the right and the trail went along the edge of the hill.
It opened up to a pretty meadow. There were some barriers around the trail and signs letting you know an area was freshly seeded.
Parts of the trail had flagstone to help hold the trail in place.
Overall, it was beautiful, easy and peaceful.
We did see a herd of deer. Our horses watched them for a while. We went down some very well made switchbacks stabilized with stone.
Going down the hill we approached the Corral Trailhead.
We crossed a very well planned water crossing. Our horses enjoyed drinking and eating grass in the river.
We crossed the Corral Trailhead parking lot to pick up the Overland Loop on the other side of the road. We had to walk around the bathrooms and go left up a hill of switchbacks.
We walked uphill on the Schoolhouse Loop to reach Overland Loop. Schoolhouse Loop is built for beginning bikers. They share it with horses but we very quickly took a right to start down Overland Loop. I appreciated the yield sign on the trail showing that bikers yield to horses.
We took a right on Overland loop to travel north on the lower loop.
It was a pretty easy trail. We were close to the edge of the hill and we did see some scary pipes that trail crossed.
There were some sections where the trail was all flagstone. Our horses were fine but if it got wet this could be pretty slippery.
We did see many bikers but most were really good about communicating with us before they passed.
We passed the fork that goes to the Main Trailhead. If you would like a shorter, easier trail I would go right here and go back to the parking lot. The next section of trail was the upper leg of Overland Loop which was a lot rockier and more challenging. At this point we had about 1 mile of rocky trail ahead of us.
As we continued the trail became rockier. We also were more obviously on the edge of a hill. This is not a good trail for nervous riders. There were a lot of down trees from the previous fire.
We made it back to the Corral Trailhead.
We crossed the creek and headed up the switchback, through the meadow and back down the hill to the Main parking lot.
Rating
Moderate. I have always stayed away from Heil Valley Ranch due to the infamous Wapiti Trail that makes the best trail-woman cry. Don't do Wapiti Trail, do this one. It is absolutely beautiful and easy for the experienced trail rider. The trail was soft for all but the upper leg of the Overland Loop. Just skip the upper leg of Overland and you will love this trail!