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A landscape of rolling grasslands and sandstone buttes provides excellent viewing opportunities.


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Map Key

9.8

Miles

15.7

KM

91%

Runnable

6,750' 2,057 m

High

5,489' 1,673 m

Low

1,447' 441 m

Up

1,446' 441 m

Down

6%

Avg Grade (3°)

24%

Max Grade (14°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Views · Wildlife

No dogs. Day use only.

Overview

A great route close to Lyons with views of Mt. Meeker and Long's Peak with varied terrain.

Need to Know

No water is available at the trailhead. Trailhead can accommodate 64 cars and 3 horse trailers. Restrooms and picnic tables are available at the trailhead.

Runner Notes

Nighthawk is off limits to cyclists but Bitterbrush Trail and Nelson Loop are both open to cyclists so keep a look out and be considerate as there's some pretty technical stuff.

Description

Starting with Nighthawk Trail and running clockwise, you'll start off on a wide, maintained trail and move along to singletrack with various rocks and roots. The first 4.5 miles will be almost exclusively uphill. There are trees scattered around the trail that provide some shade to catch your breath and enjoy the view before soldiering on.

Once your reach Nelson Loop, you may go either left or right to connect to Bitterbrush Trail. This route goes to the left. Expect to see cyclists at this point. You'll hit some great downhill singletrack before meeting up with a rocky section. About 7.5 miles in you'll reach the split - left goes to Antelope Trail but stay to the right to keep on Bitterbrush Trail. You'll have 2.5 miles of trail to reach the main trailhead and many technical rocky sections.

Flora & Fauna

Mule deer, prairie dogs, birds, and pines.

History & Background

Arapahoe and Cheyenne Indians lived in the area. For over one hundred years, more than 20 different families lived, farmed, quarried, ranched and logged in the Hall Ranch area.

Contacts

Shared By:

DwightD Dettloff

Trail Ratings

  4.4 from 31 votes

#1

in Hall Ranch

#416

Overall
  4.4 from 31 votes
5 Star
52%
4 Star
39%
3 Star
10%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Hall Ranch

#89

in Colorado

#416

Overall
95 Views Last Month
7,333 Since Oct 15, 2016
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

3%
0%
63%
10%
23%
0%

Photos

Nighthawk Trail
Jun 14, 2023 near Lyons, CO
Longs Peak
Nov 5, 2015 near Lyons, CO
Snowcapped peaks under a cloudless sky.
May 8, 2021 near Lyons, CO
View of Mt. Meeker and Longs Peak.
Oct 15, 2016 near Lyons, CO
Not quite half way around the loop; almost to Button Rock Trail.
May 8, 2018 near Lyons, CO
Looking east toward Longmont, you get a great view of the mountains and pastoral grassland that comprise the Front Range.
Apr 19, 2017 near Lyons, CO

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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Minor Issues 90 days ago
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