Sandstone Ranch
Location9268 S Perry Park Rd, Larkspur, CO 80118
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Websitehttps://www.douglas.co.us/dcoutdoors/openspace-properties/sandstone-ranch/
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PDF Map
https://www.douglas.co.us/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Sandstone-Ranch-Trail-Map-small.jpg
Trail Map
Park Fees
Free! Currently all Douglas County Open Space is Free.
Trailer Parking
Amazingly huge parking lot! We just watched the horse trailers line up behind the rows of cars. The parking lot is immense! There are no designated spots but we had no trouble parking or leaving.
BathroomsPorta Potties Available
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WaterNone Available
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Mounting |
Footing |
We all used our trailers to mount.
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Soft, sandy footing. I rode Sam barefoot and he was comfortable. Echo wore front boots and he did well.
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Horse Hazards
This is a really great, horse friendly trail. If you ride the Juniper Valley Loop there is soft footing and no gates. There are gates on the Sandstone Meadow Trail Loop but they have a chain and do not have springs. The biggest hazard were bikers going fast down the trail but there were so many horses on the trail the bikers were good at stopping and yielding the trail.
Chosen Trail
We rode right out of the parking lot to ride the Juniper Valley Loop first. Riding this loop and adding on the side-loops took us an hour for an estimated 3.5 miles. We then rode south on the Sandstone Meadow Trail Loop. We rode this trail the 2nd weekend the park was open to the public and the total Sandstone Meadow Trail Loop was not yet open. Instead we rode to the Ranch Overlook then rode home. This second leg added 4 miles and we rode it in about an hour at a brisk walk and trot. If you want a short ride with no gates, ride the Juniper Valley Loop. There are incredible views on both loops!
Trail Experience
We started out riding right from the parking lot on the Juniper Valley Loop and crossed a small bridge then headed up a hill. The footing was soft.
The trails were well marked at every fork.
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We did see bikers but they yielded to our horses.
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All the forks were well marked with clear signs and a map was provided.
The trail was easy uphills and downhills and lots of curvy but gentle switchbacks with good footing.
And lots of beautiful views! It was overcast and chilly but still really great.
On a less crowded day this trail would have been wonderful to long trot or canter!
We did see some fall colors.
We did take the two side trails around some big rocks. We almost collided with two other horses going the opposite direction. Turns out there is a directional sign directing everyone to go the same way as there is no room to pass.
We hooked up with the main trail and rode back toward the parking lot.
It was so great to see the parking lot full of horse trailers!!
The trail to the left or south from the parking lot was also lovely. Good footing and smooth up and downhill. We opened a gate to start this loop.
The trail was well marked. We did not ride the Gambel Oak Loop but kept going on the Sandstone Meadow Trail Loop.
There was gate #2 and some lovely aspens.
More stunning views and gate #3.
The footing was so soft on this trail. It was really tempting to trot/canter.
The rest of the Sandstone Meadow Trail Loop was not yet open so we rode to the Ranch Overlook.
It had a hitching post and a picnic table!
The views were still amazing as we backtracked back to the parking lot.
Rating
Easy! This is a great trail for nervous horses or beginners. Wonderful for barefoot horses! Start with the shorter northern Juniper Valley Loop then decide if you want to stop or continue on to the southern loop. Great for gate practice and no swing gates. Pretty colors and views. This is a good trail for the fall/winter in cooler temperatures.