Foothills Trail to Wonderland Lake - 3.0 Miles Round-Trip

Wonderland Lake is a wildlife sanctuary encompassing open water, streams, wetlands, short-grass prairie, foothill-woodlands and shrub. These overlapping ecosystems provide essential habitat for waterfowl, prairie dogs, mule deer, fox, coyote, rattlesnakes and raptors.

The south portion of the Foothills Trail (.9 miles) joins the Wonderland Lake Trail (1.2 miles) to form a lollipop loop through this biologically rich area. Wide groomed paths and mild grades welcome runners, hikers, cyclists and equestrians. Connections with the Old Kiln Trail, Foothills Community Park Loop and Foothills Trail-north offer extended travel options of varying length and difficulty.

The Foothills Trail heads southwest, rising gently past connections for the Old Kiln Trail (.25 - .3 miles) with unabated views of the Green-Bear-South Boulder Peak complex. The wide gravel path rolls through to the top of a steep switchback (.8 miles : 5,650') and drops to the Wonderland Lake Loop (.9 miles : 5,582').

A gravel path turns left and narrows through a residential area to a side street (1.1 miles). Follow signs east 200' on the street to resume the loop.

The trail bends south past access for the Wonderland Lake Trailhead (1.23 miles : 5,553') and continues over Wonderland Lake's east dam. The loop curls west (1.35 miles) on winding pavement between a residential area, playground and the lake. You'll rejoin a graded dirt path on the lake's southwest corner (1.8 miles : 5,585') and turn sharply north to complete the loop (2.1 miles). Climb back up the steep switchback and retrace your steps on the Foothills Trail to the Four Mile Creek Trailhead (3.0 miles).