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Picture Rock

Intermediate Intermediate
 4.1 (132)
  1. Areas
  2. CO
  3. …Front Range
  4. …Lyons
  5. Heil Valley Ranch
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“A newer, professionally buit section of trail linking Heil Ranch with Lyons and Hall Ranch. ”

Michael Ahnemann
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5.3

Miles

8.5

KM
Singletrack

6,384' 1,946 m

High

5,392' 1,643 m

Low

1,017' 310 m

Up

36' 11 m

Down

4%

Avg Grade (2°)

11%

Max Grade (6°)

Dogs No Dogs

E-Bikes Not Allowed

Description

This newer section of trail was built to connect Heil Ranch down to Lyons, making it possible to link Heil Ranch and Hall Ranch together. With this trail, it's now possible to start a ride in Lyons and make it up to Heil Ranch, where Heil was previously only rideable from the trailhead off Lefthand Canyon.

The trail was designed and built by professional trail builders, with a goal of making a sustainable trail that would entertain advanced riders, but still be rideable by most. The upper section of trail is quite rocky, just like the rest of Heil ranch, and it can take quite a bit of energy to ride in either direction.

This trail can be used in many ways. You can start a ride in Lyons and ride up to Heil, you can ride out and back from the Wilder Turkey trail at Heil. Or you can use it to link Heil with Hall, making for a pretty epic ride.

Descending from the connection with the Wild Turkey trail at Heil, be prepared for about 2.5 miles of constant small rocks, with some larger obstacles thrown in. Some beginner riders may have a hard time with this section.

About halfway down, you'll reach an old grain silo at the side of the trail, and the riding becomes smoother and generally easier from here. For advanced riders, the remaining section down to Lyons is flowy, fast, and very fun.

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:

Michael Ahnemann with improvements by Markus Groner
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.1 from 132 votes

#1

in Heil Valley Ranch

#60

Overall
  4.1 from 132 votes
5 Star
39%
4 Star
42%
3 Star
13%
2 Star
4%
1 Star
3%
Trail Rankings

#1

in Heil Valley Ranch

#26

in Colorado

#60

Overall
55 Views Last Month
30,609 Since Feb 4, 2013
Intermediate Intermediate
2%
1%
65%
18%
14%
0%
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Photos

One of the landmarks of Picture Rock Trail.
Jun 12, 2019 near Lyons, CO
Old car near quarry site
Jul 24, 2015 near Lyons, CO
1940's car at the old quarry
May 30, 2016 near Lyons, CO
Such a relief to finally make it up to that bench at this intersection.
Oct 1, 2015 near Lyons, CO
This is the look on my face the whole time I'm riding.
Oct 1, 2015 near Lyons, CO
You can't miss this old grain silo that marks the halfway point along the Picture Rock trail. From here down to Lyons is smooth and flowy singletrack.
Feb 5, 2013 near Lyons, CO

9 Comments

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 35 days ago
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

May 27, 2024
Private User
Oct 14, 2023
Steve Stom
Sep 26, 2023
Loren D
10.6mi — 1h 20m
Sep 4, 2023
Colin Erskine
Good climbing with a bunch of puddles today but the downhill was a bit challenging 10.6mi
Aug 31, 2023
James Swift
May 21, 2023
Private User
May 1, 2023
Jaime Castelblaco
Picture Rock Plus Ponderosa loop 15.9mi
Apr 17, 2023
Britton Barrett
trail has smooth windy parts before the rocks really came into play. This trail felt like a true "blue" due to technicality eith the rocks, incline… 5.3mi

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