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Picture Rock/Wild Turkey Loop

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
 4.0 (141)
  1. Areas
  2. CO
  3. …Front Range
  4. …Lyons
  5. Heil Valley Ranch
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“A combination of a few of the best intermediate trails in the Boulder/Lyons area. ”

Peter Wills
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Map Key

15.1

Miles

24.4

KM

100%

Singletrack

6,806' 2,074 m

High

5,397' 1,645 m

Low

1,445' 440 m

Up

1,446' 441 m

Down

4%

Avg Grade (2°)

13%

Max Grade (7°)

Dogs No Dogs

E-Bikes Not Allowed

Overview

Buttery smooth on the bottom half, and rocky and technical on the top, this trail has it all. The hard work on the way up is paid back with a beautiful, flowing descent. There's a spectacular viewpoint on the Wild Turkey Trail. You can also continue on the Ponderosa Loop and add Wapiti Trail for a full tour of Heil Ranch.

Description

From the Boulder Mountain Bike Alliance: "This first time you ride this trail, it's gonna feel all jumbled and funky like trying to force conversation on a first date in high school. But, after a couple of runs on this, you'll get your groove on, and it's a flowing pump track of silliness."

All the turns, berms, and rocks mix together for a grand adventure that's quickly become one of the area's most popular trails. Start at the Picture Rock trailhead, and head up. The climb starts out pretty mellow and continues that way for the first two-and-a-half miles or so, but make sure to save your energy through this section.

As you continue, you'll eventually pass a large grain silo. This is where the climbing starts to get rocky. Make sure to carry your momentum through the rock gardens as you'll need it to get over some of the larger obstacles.

After another three miles or so, you'll reach the end of Picture Rock where it intersects the Wild Turkey Trail. Head left to start a clockwise loop. The rocky climbing continues, but will soon flatten out where you turn right onto the Ponderosa Loop. There are some ups and down ahead, but the trend from here is downwards.

Halfway through the Ponderosa Loop, you'll arrive at a beautiful lookout. Stop and enjoy the view, then double back a short distance to take the right back onto the Wild Turkey Trail. When you return to the intersection for Picture Rock, turn left and begin back down.

The descent starts out rocky, but smooths out past the silo. Enjoy the flow on this section; it's some of the best in the Boulder area. Soon you'll be back to the parking lot where you began.

On the way down Picture Rock it's tempting to rip, especially after things smooth out after the silo. Just be aware of sections with low visibility and watch out for other trail users.

Contacts

Local Club: Boulder Mountainbike Alliance

Feb 22, 2024: Join us in Shaping Colorado’s Outdoor Future

Feb 1, 2024: Eagle-Sage Trail Closures

Jan 31, 2024: Coalton Trail Reopening Feb. 1

Land Manager: Boulder County, CO - Parks and Open Space

Shared By:

Peter Wills with improvements by Wendy Sweet
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.0 from 141 votes

#1

in Heil Valley Ranch

#172

Overall
  4.0 from 141 votes
5 Star
33%
4 Star
42%
3 Star
17%
2 Star
6%
1 Star
2%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Heil Valley Ranch

#56

in Colorado

#172

Overall
65 Views Last Month
25,523 Since Apr 13, 2017
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
0%
2%
63%
20%
15%
1%
Add a Photo

Photos

Looking out over Heil Valley.
Jun 17, 2016 near Lyons, CO
One of the landmarks of Picture Rock Trail.
Jun 12, 2019 near Lyons, CO
A sign warning of an aggressive grouse and the aggressive grouse
Apr 18, 2015 near Lyons, CO
I love the forest canopy of Heil Ranch.
Aug 25, 2016 near Lyons, CO
Bob and Weave through the numerous rock gardens
Aug 8, 2018 near Lyons, CO
A nice resting spot with a bench and a view.
May 25, 2013 near Lyons, CO

0 Comments

Weather

Current Trail Conditions

Minor Issues 11 days ago
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Check-Ins

Nov 18, 2023
Rich Kelly
14.6mi — 2h 21m
Oct 14, 2023
Loren D
First time I've added Wild Turkey in a long time, it is a great combination with Picture Rock. 14.6mi — 2h 20m
Sep 12, 2023
Ryan Hamman
Excellently maintained other than a couple of puddles. Lots of fun little side hits and rocky rollers! — 2h 00m
Sep 10, 2023
Joe Crimando
Aug 19, 2023
Patrick Walsh
Rocky trail, good for practice, not a lot of flow. Would have preferred counterclockwise on wild turkey/ponderosa. 14.6mi — 2h 35m
Jul 31, 2023
Colin Erskine
A few other riders out in the afternoon. Steady climbs, made for great views at Picture rock, and a pretty fun decent. Trail in good/great condition. 18.1mi — 3h 00m
Jun 10, 2023
Peter Byrne
May 23, 2023
Ben Rider
Picture rock up n down all dry and hard pack. Wild Turkey and Lower Ponderosa mostly dry but a few spots of mud and standing water. 14.6mi — 17h 30m

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