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Trail Maps

Maps and notes for the trails our friends and guests want to venture out to.

Easy · Loop

Lake Isabel Loop

  • Distance
    1.3 mi loop
  • Elevation
    ≈ 60 ft
  • Best
    May – September
  • Drive
    ≈ 35 min from the ranch
Trailhead

Lake Isabel Day-Use Area, CO-165, San Isabel NF

37.9788° N, 105.0203° W

↗ Google Maps AllTrails detail
Getting there
  1. From the ranch, head south on CO-165 toward San Isabel.
  2. Watch for the brown Forest Service sign — Lake Isabel Recreation Area.
  3. Turn into the day-use lot. Restrooms and water on site.
On the trail
  • 0.0 miStart at the day-use lot. Walk down to the lake's east shore.
  • 0.3 miCross the small footbridge near the fishing dock.
  • 0.7 miRound the far end of the lake — best bench for a sit.
  • 1.3 miClose the loop back at the parking area.
Stroller-friendly on the paved sections; gravel on the back side. Trout fishing with a CO license.
Easy · Out & Back

South Creek Trail

Hand-drawn map of South Creek Trail
  • Distance
    2.7 mi out & back
  • Elevation
    ≈ 470 ft
  • Best
    May – September
  • Drive
    ≈ 30 min from the ranch
Trailhead

Trail #1321, CO-165 mile ~15, near Greenhill Divide

37.9512° N, 105.0631° W

↗ Google Maps AllTrails detail
Getting there
  1. Head south on CO-165 toward Greenhill Divide.
  2. About 0.7 mi north of the divide, watch for the small pull-off on the east side.
  3. A short rough drive (0.05 mi) drops you at the trailhead parking.
On the trail
  • 0.0 miTrail follows an old forest road through pine.
  • 0.4 miBear left, cross the creek on stones.
  • 0.9 miClimb to the rocky outcrop — turn-around point for shorter loop.
  • 1.35 miSuggested turn-around (full route continues deeper into NF).
Motorcycles permitted on lower section — step aside on blind corners. Songbirds and wildflowers in early summer.
Moderate · Loop

Northridge & Mace Trail Loop

Hand-drawn map of Northridge & Mace Trail Loop
  • Distance
    2.6 mi loop
  • Elevation
    ≈ 550 ft
  • Best
    May – October
  • Drive
    ≈ 45 min from the ranch
Trailhead

Pueblo Mountain Park, Beulah CO — Northridge / Devil's Canyon trailhead

38.0814° N, 104.9892° W

↗ Google Maps AllTrails detail
Getting there
  1. Take CO-165 north, then CO-78 east toward Beulah.
  2. Follow signs into Pueblo Mountain Park.
  3. Park at the Northridge / Devil's Canyon trailhead.
On the trail
  • 0.0 miClimb Northridge through aspen — steady grade.
  • 0.9 miTop out at the ridge overlook above Devil's Canyon.
  • 1.6 miJunction with Mace Trail — bear right to descend.
  • 2.6 miRoll back into the trailhead lot.
Best in cool morning light. Snowshoe-friendly in winter after a fresh storm.
Moderate · Out & Back

San Carlos Trail

Hand-drawn map of San Carlos Trail
  • Distance
    4.3 mi out & back
  • Elevation
    ≈ 850 ft
  • Best
    April – November
  • Drive
    ≈ 40 min from the ranch
Trailhead

San Carlos Trail #1320, San Isabel NF, off CO-165

37.9621° N, 105.0411° W

↗ Google Maps AllTrails detail
Getting there
  1. South on CO-165 past San Isabel.
  2. Watch for the San Carlos trailhead sign on the west side.
  3. Small dirt lot — limited spots on weekends.
On the trail
  • 0.0 miRoll through pine and meadow on a soft singletrack.
  • 1.0 miCross San Carlos Creek (boots dry in summer).
  • 1.8 miClimb to a small saddle — cool breeze, good snack stop.
  • 2.15 miSuggested turn-around. Trail continues for stronger legs.
Dogs welcome on leash. Watch for afternoon thunderstorms June–August.
Moderate · Out & Back

Natural Water Slide

Hand-drawn map of Natural Waterslide Trail
  • Distance
    1.6 mi out & back
  • Elevation
    ≈ 255 ft
  • Best
    June – August
  • Drive
    ≈ 40 min from the ranch
Trailhead

Natural Water Slide / St. Charles River, off CR-382 above Lake Isabel

37.9707° N, 105.05311° W

↗ Google Maps AllTrails detail
Getting there
  1. Head south on CO-165 past San Isabel toward Lake Isabel.
  2. Just past Lake Isabel, turn right (west) onto Forest Road / CR-382 (Cisneros Park area).
  3. Follow the dirt road ~3 mi — slow, washboarded; watch for the small pull-off on the left.
  4. Park along the shoulder. Trail drops down toward the river — listen for the falls.
On the trail
  • 0.0 miFrom the pull-off, follow the singletrack downhill into spruce and fir.
  • 1.0 miTrail steepens — loose dirt and roots. Take it slow on the descent.
  • 1.8 miHop the small feeder creek; bear left toward the rushing water.
  • 2.15 miArrive at the slide — smooth granite chutes and a clear plunge pool.
  • 2.15 miClimb back the way you came. The return is the workout.
A local favorite. Bring old shorts or sturdy swimwear, water shoes, and a towel — the rock is slick. Best mid-summer when flow has eased and the pool is swimmable; high snowmelt in May/early June is dangerous. Pack out everything.
Difficult · Out & Back

Millset Trail

Hand-drawn map of Millset Trail
  • Distance
    6.5 mi out & back
  • Elevation
    ≈ 1,400 ft
  • Best
    May – October
  • Drive
    ≈ 25 min from the ranch
Trailhead

Trail #1317 — 4.5 mi north of Rye on CO-165

37.9805° N, 105.0312° W

↗ Google Maps AllTrails detail
Getting there
  1. South on CO-165 toward Rye.
  2. Watch for the small Forest Service sign 0.1 mi before the parking turnoff.
  3. Pull into the gravel lot on the east side of the highway.
On the trail
  • 0.0 miSteep first half-mile — pace yourself early.
  • 0.5 miGrade eases. Forest opens to small meadows.
  • 1.4 miSteep descent to creek crossing — slick when wet.
  • 2.5 miClimb into the high meadow — elk sign everywhere.
  • 3.25 miTurn-around at the open ridgeline. Lunch with a view.
Backcountry — carry water, layers, and a paper map. Cell service is unreliable.
Difficult · Out & Back

Greenhorn Trail

Hand-drawn map of Greenhorn Trail
  • Distance
    12.5 mi out & back
  • Elevation
    ≈ 3,100 ft
  • Best
    Late June – September
  • Drive
    ≈ 60 min from the ranch (FS road, high-clearance helpful)
Trailhead

Greenhorn Trail #1316, FS Road 369

37.8806° N, 105.0156° W

↗ Google Maps AllTrails detail
Getting there
  1. South on CO-165, then west on Ophir Creek Road / FS-369.
  2. Follow FS-369 about 11 mi to the trailhead — slow and rocky.
  3. Park at the upper Greenhorn trailhead.
On the trail
  • 0.0 miWooded climb through spruce and bristlecone.
  • 2.0 miTree line — pop out into alpine tundra.
  • 4.5 miLong ridge walk along Greenhorn's shoulder.
  • 6.25 miSummit, 12,347 ft. Sign the register.
  • 12.5 miReturn the way you came.
Experienced hikers only. Start at sunrise to be off the summit before noon storms. No water on route.