Backpack Training: Week 11 - Walker Ranch Loop
The long hike for the week was Walker Ranch Loop in Boulder County. The Walker Ranch Homestead is a historical site and there are several trails on the property which are partly in Boulder County Open Space and Eldorado Canyon State Park. The trail we took is the Walker Ranch Loop which is almost 8 miles long with an elevation gain of almost 900 feet according to Boulder County, but 1550 foot gain according to Right Buddy’s Run Keeper. But most importantly, the trail was a lot of fun! Why have we never done this trail before?
After wishing we had our snowshoes with us last week and after having a blizzard on Wednesday, we brought our snowshoes this week and strapped them to our backpacks. See, you can teach old dogs new tricks! Even though the trail was covered in snow and ice most of the way, it was not deep enough to require snowshoes. However, it was reassuring to know that we wouldn’t get almost all the way around the loop and then have to double back the way we came if we couldn’t get through without snowshoes. In addition, the snowshoes helped increase our pack weights to 27 pounds. We were very glad we had our Yaktrax on the whole time along with trekking poles. We would not want to have attempted it without them. We are now thoroughly convinced that the Yaktrax Diamond Grip All-Surface Traction Cleats for Walking on Ice and Snow (paid link) were a great investment.
There are three trailheads on the loop and even a connection to the Eldorado Canyon Trail, if you want to add another seven miles and almost another 2000 feet in elevation gain by starting at the trailhead in the Inner Canyon of Eldorado Canyon State Park. We were originally going to start at the trailhead in Crescent Meadows of Eldorado Canyon State Park, since that is the closest trailhead to our house by going up Coal Creek Canyon. However, looking at the satellite view in Google Maps revealed that the last mile or two to the trailhead was a dirt road. We were concerned that it might have been muddy and rutted due to the above freezing temperatures and melting snow. So we opted for the Walker Ranch Loop Trailhead. This turned out to be a great choice. The drive to Boulder and then up Flagstaff Road was a gorgeous drive, with its twists and turns up the mountain, great views out over the plains and the heavy snow hanging on the evergreen branches on the sides of the road. To get to the third trailhead, Ethel Harrold Trailhead, one would also go up Flagstaff Road, but turn off just before the Walker Ranch Loop Trailhead and down another road about a mile.
The Walker Ranch Loop Trailhead is definitely the most popular trailhead to use. The mile markers along the trail assume you start at the Walker Ranch Loop Trailhead and go counter-clockwise around the loop. Right Buddy (RB) had read on the AllTrails website that the steep staircase was covered in ice just the week before. Our old bodies would feel much safer going up icy steps than down icy steps, so we opted to go around the loop clockwise to make sure we went up the steep staircase located just after crossing South Boulder Creek on the east side of the loop. We were convinced that was the right decision as the stairs were indeed steep and indeed very icy and covered with snow.
The trail had a little bit of everything. Parts of it were exposed following along the mountain side with great panoramic views. It crossed South Boulder Creek twice, with bridges over the roaring water with small waterfalls. The trail also went into some evergreen forests, with branches loaded with snow overhanging the trail. It just seemed magical in the woods, very quiet with only the sounds of birds chirping and the sound of snow falling off the tree branches. Miraculously, neither one of us were hit by the large blobs of falling snow.
We stopped at the first bridge crossing of South Boulder Creek for lunch. We could have sat there on the boulders in the sunshine watching and listening to the water rush by for hours, but most of our hike was still ahead of us, so after we had our fill of lunch and taking pictures, we reluctantly got up and moved on. There was quite a bit of slush, mud and puddles after the second bridge crossing, so even though the temperatures were in the forties, our soaking wet feet started to get cold. So we were rather thankful once the trail started to climb again to get back to the trailhead. Our legs were tired by the time we made it back to the car, but we were smiling ear to ear.
We had a glimpse of the dirt road, Gross Dam Road, from the Crescent Meadows trailhead and it looked like it was in good shape. So to drive home, we decided to continue on Flagstaff Road to Gross Dam Road and take Coal Creek Canyon back. It was a beautiful drive, but, even though there were no ruts in the road, there were a few muddy spots that were quite slick with some very sharp turns, but we made it home safe and sound. All in all, it was a great day.
(RB)