Hiking
Hiking near Stone Mountain
Lodge, in the Lyons, Colorado area, is abundant, diverse and undiscovered. It
can be a simple walk down a country road, a rigorous 10 mile (or more) hike, or
anything in between. It can cover mountain valleys, meadows, and steep terrain.
You can discover an old homestead, and see views of the Continental Divide and
the Great Planes. It's all there to enjoy!
For a leisurely walk along a country road, Apple Valley r oad
is a lightly traveled road that is great for walking or cycling.
Apple Valley, named for its old apple orchards, has a unique beauty that
contrasts against the rugged mountains. Follow this narrow, twisty, yet level
road lined with a variety of deciduous trees, quaint houses, and country
scenery with hardly any cars. It's about 2.5
 miles to the town of Lyons.
Apple Valley Road begins just a few hundred feet from Stone Mountain Lodge.
Walk along the road west (away from Lyons) about 500 feet. There you will see
an arched wooden bridge across the Saint Vrain River. Cross the highway here
and start your walk through Apple Valley.
Hall Ranch
A trailhead for Hall Ranch is located just across Apple Valley from Stone
Mountain Lodge. Take the short scenic drive through along Apple Valley road
to the Trailhead. (See directions below)
Consisting of over 3,000 acres, Hall Ranch land is visible from Stone
Mountain Lodge when you look west. Historically a working ranch, Hall
Ranch now offers hiking on a variety of terrain from 5,400 to 6,800 feet in
elevation.
Hall ranch has many miles of trails, offering some of the best hiking
along the front range of Colorado, without the crowds. It's trails continue
for tens of miles, liking up with Button Rock Preserve (see below).
More
Info on Hall Ranch.
How to Get There:
To the Apple Valley Trailhead: From Stone Mountain Lodge, turn
right on Hwy 36 (toward Estes Park). Go about 1,000 feet until you see the
Arched Bridge and make a left turn across
the bridge. That will be Apple Valley Road. Continue about 1.5 miles until
you see Antelope Road going to the right. Go up Antelope Road to the end
where there is a small parking lot and the trailhead.
To the main trailhead: From Stone Mountain Lodge, take Hwy 36 back toward
Lyons (1.5 miles), then stay to the right and follow Hwy 7 about 1 mile.
Parking and trailheads are on the right.
Dogs: Not Allowed
Button Rock Preserve
This is a little known, walk-in only preserve, with some of the most
peaceful and scenic hiking there is. You will find an abundance of wildlife as
you easily walk along the North Saint Vrain Creek to the Longmont and Ralph
Price Reservoirs. From here you can do more rugged mountain hiking
looping back, or take a connecting trail to Hall Ranch (see below).
How to Get There: From Stone Mountain Lodge take Hwy 36 west about 2
miles. Turn left at Boulder County Road 80 (just before the entrance to
Shelly's Cottages). Continue on this dirt road for 3 miles.
Dogs: Allowed on Leash
Rabbit Mountain
This is a good place to hike in the cooler months and winter. Rabbit
Mountain is right along the foothills that includes terrain from sweeping
grasslands to ridge top pine forests with views of the great plains to the
east as well as the Continental Divide to the west.
More
Info on Rabbit Mountain.
How to get there: From Stone Mountain Lodge take Hwy 36 east through
Lyons. Continue on Hwy 66 east toward Longmont about 1 mile past the
intersection of Hwy 66 and Hwy 36. Turn left on N. 53rd Street and continue
for two miles.
Dogs: Allowed on Leash
Heil Valley Ranch
Limited to a picnic area and hiking on a 1.3 mile trail this almost 5,000
acres is one of Boulder county's newest areas just opened to the public.
More
Info on Heil Valley Ranch.
How to get there: From Stone Mountain Lodge take Hwy 36 east through
Lyons. Turn south towards Boulder at the junction of Hwy 36 and Hwy 66 and
follow about 5 miles to Left Hand Canyon
Road. Go west to Geer Canyon road.
Dogs: Not Allowed
Other Dog Friendly Hiking
-
Stone Mountain Lodge Trail
- Allowed under voice control (guests only).
-
Lyons Gulch (a US Forest
trailhead on Hwy 36 about 10 mile from Lyons towards Estes Park) - Allowed
on Leash.
-
Bohn Park (southeast Lyons)
- Allowed under voice control except no dogs on Ball Fields.
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