Wapiti Trail to Ponderosa Loop - 7.7 Miles Round-Trip

Heil Valley Ranch runs north-south along Boulder's foothills where the Great Plains abruptly meet the Rocky Mountain upslope. Its 5020 acres support wildlife communities from each, including deer, elk, turkey, coyote, fox, mountain lion and bear.

Trail Map | Photo Gallery

Elk were extirpated from Boulder County at the turn of the 20th century, but reintroduced at Heil Valley Ranch between 1913 and 1917.

Today this protected area remains one of the only places in the Front Range where elk can complete their natural migration from the Rocky Mountains to Eastern Plains with minimal interruption.

Heil Ranch's Wapiti and Ponderosa Loop Trails form a 7.7 mile lollipop loop through sloping meadows and healthy ponderosa forests. Mild grades and new improvements make these multi-use trails accessible to hikers, runners, bikers and equestrians year-round:

The Wapiti Trail rises from the parking area on a service road into the upper valley. Scars from the 2003 Left Hand Canyon Fire - which came within 1/4 mile of the caretakers cabin - are soon evident.

Despite some aesthetic loss recovery is well under way, as ponderosa pine are darkened but largely unaffected, and grasses and wildflowers were quick to reclaim open spaces.

The road passes two connections for the Lichen Loop before turning west with a good look down Heil Valley toward the Flatirons (.55 miles : 6,080').

This area supported a prairie dog village wiped out in 2008 by disease; though unfortunate, periodic collapses are part of the prairie dog life cycle, and this village will likely repopulate in years to come.

The trail gradually bends north and climbs steadily through uniform timber up the valley's west side to the first of several service road crossings in 1.35 miles (these roads are closed to public use).

It resumes a winding course to the Ponderosa Loop Trail junction (2.55 miles : 6,705'). The following description runs clockwise (left):

The trail levels in a culled forest atop a sloping plateau. It crests at 3.6 miles (6,792') and drops to an overlook on the plateau's rim at the first of two Wild Turkey Trail connections (4.05 miles : 6,605').

Views include St Vrain Canyon, Hall Ranch, Mt Meeker (13,911') and the Twin Sisters (11,428' - 11,413'). The Ponderosa Trail bends away from the overlook and drops on a rocky path, turning sharply back south to begin the second half of the loop.

The trail passes the second Wild Turkey Trail junction (5.05 miles : 6,655') and follows an undulating, nondescript path to complete the loop (5.15 miles : 6,705'). Retrace your steps on the Wapiti Trail back to the parking lot (7.7 miles : 5,945').