Trail Run Project Logo

A short way from downtown with views of town, & surrounding mountains. Loop or lollipop your choice.


Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

0.5

Miles

0.8

KM

94%

Runnable

7,601' 2,317 m

High

7,527' 2,294 m

Low

75' 23 m

Up

55' 17 m

Down

5%

Avg Grade (3°)

11%

Max Grade (6°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Description

This trail takes you on a short trip through the Knoll Willows Open Space. As you start out from behind the police station, you'll cross a small bridge over the Black Canyon Creek. Look down and you'll likely see fingerling trout hanging out behind a rock. As you progress through the willow area, be on the lookout for elk. In the spring females often bed down with fawns near the creek. You'll reach the Albert Birch cabin shortly, this cabin was built shortly after the bungalow at the crest burned out and was used by the Birch family until the 1980's

Continue following the creek for views of the Stanley Hotel and the North Trailhead. The trail will turn to the south from the parking lot with a couple of turn offs providing views to the east. As you crest the knoll, you'll find the ruins of the Albert Birch Bungalow with views overlooking Estes Park. The house burned in December of 1907, but the ruins still hold spectacular views of RMNP.

From here, the trail back to the cabin degrades to an unimproved singletrack until you arrive at the back of the lower cabin. You can follow the stream through the meadow back to the South Trailhead.

Flora & Fauna

Elk, like everywhere in Estes Park, lots of elk. Trout in the stream. Locals report seeing owls, hawks, Albert's Squirrels, and ground squirrels.

Shared By:

Rob M.

Trail Ratings

  3.0 from 3 votes

#27396

Overall
  3.0 from 3 votes
5 Star
0%
4 Star
0%
3 Star
100%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#2,275

in Colorado

#27,396

Overall
34 Views Last Month
4,260 Since Mar 13, 2016
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate

33%
0%
67%
0%
0%
0%

Photos

View of the Ruins, the Estes Park theater tower, and RMNP in the distance.
Mar 13, 2016 near Estes Park, CO
Another well chosen view.
Mar 13, 2016 near Estes Park, CO
View of Lake Estes to the east.
Mar 13, 2016 near Estes Park, CO
A window with a view.
Mar 13, 2016 near Estes Park, CO
Signage at the North Trailhead.
Mar 13, 2016 near Estes Park, CO
Plaque at the start of the trail.
Mar 13, 2016 near Estes Park, CO

0 Comments

Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

none

Join the Community

Create your FREE account today!
Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started.