Eagle Wind Trail - 3.95 Miles Round-Trip

140 million years ago the Rabbit Mountain area marked the western shore of an inland sea that stretched from the Gulf of Mexico to the Hudson Bay. It was tropical lowland covered by rivers, swamps and lagoons. This sea retreated approximately 65M years ago when tectonic forces pulled the earth's crust, resulting in a western uplift that formed the Rockies.

Trail Map | Photo Gallery

The uplift's ripples caused rocks to compress and bulge at its base, creating anticlines - or convex folds on the earth's surface. As the bulging anticline's softer sediments eroded, only hard ridges - known as Hogbacks - remained from the previously rounded hilltops.

Rabbit Mountain's position three miles east of similar anticline formations along the Front Range is unique. The complex movements of two faults in the area pushed these eroding anticlines east, and with a rare orientation: their steepest sides face east, and gentler slopes to the west.

This unusual location and orientation make it a natural landmark visible from three counties. Today Rabbit Mountain stands along this divisive uplift between the Saint Vrain drainage basin (south) and Big Thompson drainage basin (north).

Here the Great Plains meet the Rocky Mountain upslope, a rich ecological juxtaposition that brings plant and wildlife communities together from each. White tail deer, mule deer coyote, elk, fox, rabbit, raptors and rattlesnakes all call this area home.

The Eagle Wind Trail - a lollipop loop - leads up and around the west slope of Rabbit Mountain with terrific views across the Eastern Plains, Front Range and Continental Divide. Hikers, runners, cyclists and families will enjoy mild grades and good wildlife viewing throughout:

The trail heads northeast from the parking area on a winding course to the Little Thompson Overlook Trail split (.5 miles : 5,712'). Follow signs and (right) across the saddle spanning a hogback (north) and the plateau around which the Eagle Wind Trail loops (southeast).

Continue over the service road (which provides access to the Indian Mesa Trail) to the beginning of the Eagle Wind Trail Loop (1.0 mile : 5,802'). The following description travels clockwise on the loop:

The trail levels atop a sparsely treed mesa with rangy panoramas of the Front Range, Continental Divide and Eastern Plains. Mountain mahogany, ponderosa and pinyon pine dot the expansive tract before you, brightened by an array of sage, switchgrass, and array of flowers.

You'll merge briefly with a service road (1.45 miles : 5,825') through a wide clearing with views of Mt Meeker (13,911'), Longs Peak (14,259') and the Twin Sisters (11,428' - 11,413'). Veer off the service road (1.55 miles) and continue across the mesa.

In about two miles the trail turns sharply back northwest to begin the second, lower portion of the loop. This section undulates gently through heavier brush back to the beginning of the loop (2.95 miles : 5,802'). Just before completing the loop is an outcrop and interpretive sign that identifies peaks from the Eldorado Canyon Area (south of Boulder) to Rocky Mountain National Park (north). Retrace your steps back to the parking area (3.95 miles : 5,530).