Heil Valley Ranch - Picture Rock Trailhead

Great trail for biking or hiking. There’s a shaded stone picnic table 2 miles from the trailhead. The first 3 miles are gradual uphill with few technical features. Once you reach the silos, the grade is slightly greater and the trail becomes more intermediate. Just past the silos are a couple rusted vehicles from the mining days. The loops at the top are a blast on the MTB if you make it up that far. Deer are often seen, and sometimes turkey. Dogs not allowed.

My wife and I (both 60) have been trying to get to this trail for a while... it did not disappoint. Just southwest out of Lyons (HWY 7 to Old St. Vrain Road and then Red Gulch Road) parking and bathroom on the west side of road, trail on the east side. You start on a man made gravel trail for about 3/4 mile before it turns into typical Heil Valley red sandstone and dirt. This trail is an out (5 miles) and back (5 miles) with two loops that can be added for another 5.5 miles (see added picture of trailhead map). We started around 8AM to try and beat the heat and possible congestion of runners, hikers, bikers and horseback. Everyone was cordial and were mindful of the rules of the trail. This is a well kept trail... I especially liked the hand laid sandstone trail portions (see pic's). We will be back as it gets cooler to extend the hike onto the loops.

Great Mtn bike workout. Slope up was manageable— not too steep and ok if you take it slower until you get warmed up. This was probably at the top range of my technical ability due to a lot of rocks in some sections but most everything was do-able without getting off. Lots of practice with pedal positioning. :) it took me 1:15 to the end of picture rock trail where there’s a nice shady bench to rest at. The ride down was worth the work to the top!! I really appreciated how well the trail was designed. The little optional jumps/ramps were so fun! Passed less than 10 people on a Thursday late morning in May.

Fun trail, very crowded,people were 50/50 half very nice, other half acted like they owned the trail and were reluctantly allowing you there, but that seemed to be the norm around town too, entitled 2nd generation handed down money, half nice,half snobs. Not a trail for a beginner mountain biker, uphill was mild challenge but downhill was a blast.

Popular for mountain biking, trail running, and hiking. The picture rock trail was built in 2008 and connects to the turkey and ponderosa loops, and eventually to left hand canyon. There is a stone picnic table at mile 2, and old silo and cars at mile 3. Easy at the beginning but no shade. Rockier above the silo but nice and shaded.