Trail Description

NEW - Add Trail Comments & Share Photos

Notable for its colorful mesas, lofty open meadows, verdant rolling hills and rich wildlife, visitors will enjoy Hall Ranch's uniquely spacious and diverse landscape. Though only 5 maintained trails pass through its 3,205 acres, their length and diversity offer numerous routing options and immersive experiences. Arguably the most attractive is the The Nighthawk Trail, a bike-free route with connections to the Nelson Loop Trail and Button Rock Trail.

The Nighthawk Trail rolls gently through open grassland for .85 miles, crests and drops into a shallow gully (1.1 miles : 5,555’). With no appreciable net elevation gain to this point, the 1,148’ balance will be realized over the next 3.6 miles on a winding series of moderately steep but well-groomed switchbacks.

Turning northwest, the trail rises quickly through and above rolling hills, open meadows and deep canyons with sensational vistas at every turn. Spring travelers will enjoy an endless sea of emerald green grasses, wildflowers and cacti blooms. Deer are very common throughout, and raptors are frequently seen hovering above.

The trail occasionally abuts fire service roads, but these are not for public use and should not be taken. At 3.75 miles the trail does merge momentarily with a service road, but quickly departs (to the left) on a clearly marked path into a shallow gully that holds a water tank for horses. The trail climbs above the tank through a pocket of pine trees and reemerges in open space. The trail is momentarily obscured when making a hairpin turn around the remains of an old stone wall (4.3 miles : 6,702’), but easy to reclaim once above it.

The trail crests, then levels considerably at 4.4 miles with its first clear view of the Continental Divide. The open valley in front of you is ideal for exploration or a brief respite on the return. The final segment weaves through sparse forest and rocky outcroppings before emerging in a vast, elevated meadow at the Button Rock Trail junction (4.7 miles : 6,703’). It continues easily to the Nelson Loop Trail junction (4.85 miles : 6,703’).

Those seeking a longer hike may consider the 2.3 mile Nelson Loop. Gaining only 360' in total elevation over smooth terrain, travel is fast and views across the meadows of Mt Meeker and Longs Peak are terrific throughout.

The Nelson Loop Trail circles eponymous Nelson Ranch, whose grain silo and aging homestead are the last remains of a once thriving cattle operation. Several unmarked but clearly identifiable spurs lead from the Nelson Loop to the historic site.

GPS Coordinates - DATUM WGS84

• N40 12.730 W105 17.365 - Trailhead at Hall Ranch

• N40 12.375 W105 18.098 - Drop into gully; begin switchbacks (1.1 miles)

• N40 12.643 W105 18.623 - Nighthawk Trail 2 mile mark

• N40 12.837 W105 18.956 - Nighthawk Trail 3 mile mark

• N40 12.892 W105 19.568 - Hairpin turn around water tank

• N40 13.147 W105 19.974 - Nighthawk Trail - Button Rock Trail junction (4.7 miles)

• N40 13.271 W105 19.987 - Nighthawk Trail - Nelson Loop Trail junction (4.85 miles

Worth Noting

• This trail is NOT open to mountain bikers. Hikers and horses only.


• Do not enter or disturb historic remains.

Directions to Trailhead

Hall Ranch in Lyons, Colorado:

From Boulder, take Highway 36 14 miles north to the Highway 66 junction in Lyons. Turn left. Highway 66 will dead end at a "T" intersection on the west side of Lyons. Take a left on Highway 7 towards Allenspark. Hall Ranch is located 1.4 miles on the northeast (right) side of Highway 7.

Contact Information

Boulder County Parks & Open Space
5201 St. Vrain Road
Longmont, Colorado 80503
Phone: 303.678.6200
Fax: 303.678.6180
www.co.boulder.co.us/openspace