Heil Ranch

Overview

Heil ranch went through a controlled burn recently and the signs of the work performed are evident. There are  several swaths of trees along the wapiti trail and Ponderosa trail that are standing dead with the traces of licking flames on the trunks. There is a wealth of stacked stone buildings within the park boundary from time past that have fallen under the hands of time. Be on the lookout for wildlife as the area is teeming with creatures both large and small.

For current trail conditions and news visit Boulder County’s

14.6 miles of trails 

Park Details:

• Hiking
• Mountain Biking
• Centaurs Equestrians
• Dogs are not allowed in this park
• Picnicking
• Open Sunrise to Sunset
• Picnicking
• Hunting is not allowed
• Weapons are not permitted
• Camping is prohibited
• Drinking or drug use is not allowed
• No entrance fees

Emergency contacts:

Boulder County Ranger District @ (303) 541-2500

Boulder Parks and Open Space @ (303) 678-6200

If the event is life threatening dial 911

Quick Reference Map

Free downloadable maps are available from Boulder County Parks.  You can also use our GPX files to help plan your next adventure.

Wapiti Trail

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Difficulty Rank	5 (Moderate)
Views Rank	4
Distance Rank	2.8 Miles
Time Needed	65 Minutes

Details:

• Connecting Trails: with Ponderosa Trail
• Easy trail
• Little elevation change
• Mostly exposed hiking

Trailhead: Trail starts at main parking area

Wapiti Trail Highlights:

• Neat stone houses left as rubble
• Forest is burned in places
• Lots of sandstone on the trail
• Popular centaur trail

Review:

The Wapiti trail along with all the others in the park is not too steep, and only offers hikers some sporadic tree cover. The first section of the trail starts off on an access road that soon veers to the left onto a smaller single track path with great views of the valley below. Near the end of the trail where the Ponderosa trail meets the Wapiti trail there is a very nice stone stacked cabin that has certainly felt the cold embraces of the hands of time. There is no roof on the structure and several of the walls have considerable holes in them (Perhaps from menacing Minotaur hammer smashing bouts).

Ponderosa Trail

Difficulty Rank	4 (Easy)
Views Rank	7
Distance Rank	2.6 Miles
Time Needed	146 Minutes

Details:

• Connecting Trails: with Wild Turkey and Wapiti Trails
• Easy trail
• Little elevation change
• Mostly exposed
• Large burn area

Trailhead: S – Wapiti trail | L Or R Ponderosa Loop

Ponderosa Trail Highlights:

• Striking views at the scenic overlook where the Wild Turkey Trail meets the Ponderosa Trail for the second time.
• Stone foundation at first trail junction with Wild Turkey trail

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Review:

Ponderosa loop has a fair amount of trees some of which were also part of the recent prescribed burn area, so plan ahead and put on some sunscreen before you head out. The trail has very mild elevation changes and is a good hike for all ages, just bare in mind that the trek in along with this loop will be just shy of 8 miles. If you are visiting the park during the spring and summer the flies may be engaged in an epic battle with the invading nat population for control of the area. While major casualties are unlikely extreme annoyance is highly probable.  

Wild Turkey Trail

Difficulty Rank	4 (Easy)
Views Rank	5
Distance Rank	2.9 Miles
Time Needed	70 Minutes

Details:

• Connecting Trails: Ponderosa and Picnic Rock trails
• Mild elevation change
• Views of the plains
• Small amount of trees along the trail

Trail S – Wapiti | R – Ponderoas Loop | L – Wild Turkey trail or

Trail S – Wapiti | R- Ponderosa Loop | C – Ponderosa Loop | R – Wild Turkey

Wild Turkey Trail Highlights:

• Stone Foundation at the first trail junction with Ponderosa loop
• Views at the end of the trail are quite good

Review:

Wild Turkey dances through meadows and dodges in an out of the trees. Shockingly just like those individuals that have consumed too much of the fluid that is sold under the same name. But all Joking aside the trail is quite good there is a fair amount of tree cover and connections with nearly all the trails in the park. The mountain meadow views are great and you can see far out on the plains below as you hike along the trail.

Lichen Loop Trail

Difficulty Rank	4 (Easy)
Views Rank	5
Distance Rank	1.0 Miles
Time needed to hike	23 Minutes

Details:

• Connecting trail: Wapiti trail
• Hiker only
• Easy hike
• Slight elevation change
• Mostly forested

Trailhead: Parking area

Lichen Loop Trail Highlights:

• Informative signs along the trail
• Lush dense forest for most of the trail
• Close to the main parking lot

Review:

Coming in at a mile, this easy hike has gradual elevation changes and is in close proximity to the main parking area, making this trail a great option for quick visits and those with small children or elderly that want to be in nature without venturing too far.

Picture Rock Trail

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Difficulty Rank	5 (Moderate)
Views Rank	8
Distance Rank	5.3 Miles
Time Needed	105 Minutes

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Details:

• Connecting trails: Wild Turkey trail
• Gradual Elevation change
• Mostly exposed hiking

Trailhead:Starts at Picture Rock Parking Area

Picture Rock Trail Highlights:

• Most Amazing picnic table in Colorado with the most Amazing view.
• Old abandoned Farm buildings
• Old Abandoned Cars on trail
• Remains of Stacked Stone Buildings

Review:

This is by far my favorite hike in the park, the views of the valley that reach out towards Lyons are amazing. The trail is very popular with runners and mountain bikers so you are likely to have plenty of company along this trail.  About half way through the trail is quite possibly the best picnic area in the state. The large stone picnic table tucked under the trees would be the perfect place to watch the sun come up over the surrounding mountains with a cup of coffee. Farther along the trail there are several old farm buildings in various state of repair and a couple old vehicles that have been used as target practice.