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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 32 votes

#1

in Hall Ranch

#409

Overall
  4.4 from 32 votes
5 Star
53%
4 Star
38%
3 Star
9%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Hall Ranch

#88

in Colorado

#409

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

3%
0%
61%
13%
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

All Clear 30 days ago
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Check-Ins

May 18, 2024
Private User
Dec 29, 2023
Matt T
10mi — 1h 40m
Aug 6, 2023
Lucas Bortoff
Jul 13, 2023
Stefan Feider
Apr 21, 2023
Stefan Feider
Oct 25, 2022
Trevor Edie
Rocky but fun singletrack, with some fun downhill sections. 9.4mi
Aug 28, 2022
CAMILLE HARAKAL
Great trail, nice and dry. First ascent was difficult, middle singletrack it felt like I was flying. Rocky technical section near end. 9.8mi — 2h 10m
Apr 26, 2022
Kevin Moore
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