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The main trail at Heil climbing up from the trailhead to the Ponderosa loop and beyond.


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Map Key

3.1

Miles

5.0

KM

Singletrack

6,692' 2,040 m

High

5,910' 1,801 m

Low

782' 238 m

Up

0' 0 m

Down

5%

Avg Grade (3°)

11%

Max Grade (7°)

Dogs No Dogs

E-Bikes Not Allowed

Description

Updated in 2024 This trail climbs gradually right from the trailhead. You'll start out on a rough dirt road with a cobble creek crossing that is usually dry except for the wettest weeks in spring. Due to the Calwood Fire in 2020, Wapiti continues up the access road past where the singletrack used to begin.

The climb kicks up a notch as the road bends left toward the new singletrack start. Once you get to the gate (no bikes allowed past the gate), you'll see the singletrack entrance on the right.

This new switchbacking section of singletrack levels out from the road climb and provides a smoother, more gradual connection to the old section of trail that starts around 1.8 miles from the start. It's relatively exposed as the fire burned up most of the tree coverage, but it rolls fast.

Once you hit more chunk and rougher trail, you'll know you're back on the old Wapiti.

The area is very rocky - the ground is covered with many softball-sized rocks. But the Boulder Mountainbike Alliance and others have done much work to clean up the trail, make it flow better, and keep it sustainable.

Continue up to the junction with the Ponderosa Loop. You can connect this to multiple loops at the top of Heil and Wild Turkey Trail or to the Picture Rock trail, which leads down to Lyons and Hall Ranch.

Contacts

Shared By:

Michael Ahnemann with improvements by Wendy Sweet

Trail Ratings

  3.4 from 57 votes

#316

Overall
  3.4 from 57 votes
5 Star
5%
4 Star
51%
3 Star
26%
2 Star
18%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#109

in Colorado

#316

Overall
9 Views Last Month
4,441 Since Nov 28, 2012
Intermediate Intermediate

0%
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8%
20%
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Photos

Heil has some great flowy berms that you can rail on the way down.
Aug 13, 2016 near Lyons, CO
Bob and Weave through the numerous rock gardens
Aug 8, 2018 near Lyons, CO
Heil Ranch.
May 19, 2019 near Lyons, CO
Heil Ranch. Excellent use of pavers.
May 19, 2019 near Lyons, CO
Wapiti on my 2009 Project Rockhopper - Heil Valley Ranch - Lyons - Colorado
Sep 12, 2024 near Lyons, CO
Once you leave the access road, the singletrack starts out flat and wide.
Jul 28, 2017 near Lyons, CO
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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 25 days ago
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Jul 15, 2024
Aj Jones
May 29, 2024
Jake Albright
Jun 11, 2023
Ernesto Valenzuela
5.2mi — 2h 30m
Sep 20, 2022
Matthew Kittredge
Aug 28, 2020
Abel Valdes
Aug 23, 2020
Kylee T
Jun 21, 2020
Levi Roberts
Jun 12, 2020
Dan Ronken
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