Hall Ranch / Lyons, CO

Hall Ranch is another beauty created and maintained by Boulder County.  This multi use trail system nestled in the foothills of the Rockies north of Lyons, CO offers bikers, hikers, and horseback riders access to a fantastic outdoor playground.

The Antelope and Bitterbrush Trail lead into/out of Hall Ranch.  I cruised from Lyons with a local when I visited in July 2011 and started up the Antelope Trail.  It approaches from the east and climbs steadily over rocky singletrack with gravel patches every now and then.  After a series of cool switchbacks and one final grunt, the trail joins the Bitterbrush Trail.  The Bitterbrush Trail approaches from the southeast and is considerably more technical than the Antelope. 

After bearing right onto Bitterbrush, the trail meanders up through a meadow ridge toward the Nelson Loop.  During this portion of the ride, you are offered sweeping views of Hall Ranch and the butte of Heil Ranch can be seen to the southeast.  Hall Ranch can be connected with Heil Ranch via the Picture Rock Trail, creating an epic 30 mile ride!

After reaching the Nelson Loop, bear left and ride it clockwise.  The trail continues up a series of switchbacks and a technical section to power up.  The downhill is silly sweet as it shoots down over mostly smooth singletrack over berms to jump and occasional rocks to avoid/decleat you.  The loop rejoins the Bitterbrush and continues down the way it came.  Watch for rock gardens, mountain lions, and other people as your smile catches bugs all the way back to the Antelope intersection. 

Passing the Antelope the Bitterbrush climbs a short, but step laden climb and then heads for the valley bottom.  It's not very long before the trail becomes steeper and more technical, thus more fun!  Pick a line through medium to large boulders strewn over slabs of granite and embedded in the ground.  With good balance and control, narrow lines between rocks and down drops can be negotiated without crushing a limb.

However, I lacked many of these skills.  I rode what I could and walked, shamefully, over the rest.  Going up this trail and clearing it to the top would be something to brag about!  The Bitterbrush ends in the southeast parking lot, where I continued back to Lyons via the highway.  This is a Front Range must ride!

Mapquest map