Eldorado Canyon - Walker Ranch Lollipop Loop - 14.0 Miles Round-Trip

The Eldorado Canyon - Walker Ranch Lollipop Loop connects the Eldorado Canyon Trail and Walker Ranch Loop to form a challenging 14 mile route through diverse forests, deep canyons and open meadows. Frequent elevation changes distinguish these demanding trail segments.

Trail Map | Photo Gallery

While many hikers and runners will explore portions of this route in a day, few attempt the entire course. 4 trailheads access this trail system:

• Eldorado Canyon State Park
• Crescent Meadows Trailhead
• South Boulder Creek Trailhead
• Ethel Harrold Picnic Area

The following description begins in Eldorado Canyon on the Eldorado Canyon Trail, and joins the Walker Ranch Loop in 3.15 miles. The 7.7 mile Walker Ranch Loop is comprised of 4 trails:

• Crescent Meadows Trail: (2.45 miles)
• S. Boulder Creek Trail: (2.65 miles)
• Columbine Gulch Trail: (1.65 miles)
• Eldorado Canyon Trail: (0.95 miles - back to beginning of the Loop)

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The Eldorado Canyon Trail is located at the west end of Eldorado Canyon at the Visitor Center. It begins on steep, methodical switchbacks that gradually moderate through 1.0 mile along the north wall (6,870'). Views across Eldorado Canyon expand on this rapid climb.

Rock formations above are renowned climbing destinations that attract some of the country's most accomplished athletes. They also provide critical nesting habitat for falcons and eagles.

The trail continues through intervals of thick timber and open slopes with short, steep undulations. It gains 990' in net elevation to a crest in the upper canyon with terrific views back down canyon, and across Walker Ranch to the Continental Divide (2.45 miles : 7,065').

From here it drops 570' in just .7 miles along tightly wound switchbacks to the Walker Ranch Loop connection (3.15 miles : 6,495').

The following description travels clockwise on the Walker Ranch Loop:

The Crescent Meadows Trail curls SW and crosses South Boulder Creek (6,465'- the Loop's lowest point) to a set of steep, newly built stairs that level on a narrow ridge above the creek (bikers will need to dismount for this climb).

Smooth conditions and pleasant scenery mark the next 2.2 mile, 700' net climb to the Crescent Meadows Parking Lot and South Boulder Creek Trail connection (5.6 miles : 7,345').

The South Boulder Creek Trail drops sharply on winding switchbacks through mixed pine for 1.25 miles to South Boulder Creek (6,740'). It crosses over on a wide bridge to the north bank and levels beside it for several hundred yards. This enjoyable section offers easy access for anglers.

Just past Walker Ranch Loop's Mile Marker 1 (7.2 miles : 6,740') the trail turns sharply left and begins a strenuous, winding climb back to the South Boulder Creek Trailhead and Columbine Gulch Trail connection (8.25 miles : 7,240').

This barren and exposed area was stricken by fire in 2000. Informational signs describe the event and explain its ecosystem before and after the fire. Despite extensive damage, grasses and wildflowers have reclaimed these hillsides and recovery is well under way.

Veering east, the rugged Columbine Gulch Trail climbs .85 miles to an exposed 7,300' ridge with commanding views, then drops rapidly along a series of shaded switchbacks to its connection with the Eldorado Canyon Trail (9.9 miles : 6,795').

Turn right to continue the loop on what is now a wide fire road. It runs up, then down for .9 miles to complete the Walker Ranch Loop (10.85 miles : 6,945'). Bear left to remain on the Eldorado Canyon Trail and retrace your steps back to the trailhead in Eldorado Canyon (14.0 miles).