Heil Valley Ranch
Access
The south entrance to Heil Valley Ranch is located on Geer Canyon Road off of
Left Hand Canyon Road northwest of Boulder.
The north entrance is located at a temporary parking area on the west
side of Red Gulch Road in Lyons. The permanent parking area and
trailhead will be constructed beginning in 2009. Until completion of the
permanent trailhead, cyclists are encouraged to park at Meadows Park and
Sandstone Park as suggested by the Town of Lyons Board of Trustees.
North Entrance Parking Map (PDF 1.3MB) Trails
Heil Valley Ranch consists of 4,923 acres of open space and almost 15
miles of trail. The 1.3-mile Lichen Trail,
is only open to pedestrians. The multiuse trails include the 2.5-mile
Wapiti Trail, the 2.6-mile Ponderosa Loop
Trail, the 3.0-mile Wild Turkey Trail, and the 5.2-mile Picture Rock Trail. They are open to hikers, mountain bikers and
equestrians. Because of its importance as a wildlife habitat, dogs are not
allowed on this open space property.
Heil Valley Ranch Map
(1.7MB pdf):
Because all of our open space properties are environmentally sensitive,
it is important for users to know the rules
and regulations pertaining to our open space.
Facilities
A group shelter,
which can accommodate up to 25 people, is available for use on a
first-come, first-serve basis. The trailhead also has picnic tables and
restrooms.
History
Heil
Valley Ranch has remained relatively undeveloped from prehistoric times
through present day, making it premier wildlife habitat.
Evidence shows there were at least four Native
American camps here prior to Anglo settlement. The first Anglo
populations were most likely beaver trappers exploring nearby creeks
around 1800. Later, the discovery of gold coaxed adventurous
fortune-seekers to try their luck. In 1888, Solomon Geer became the
first settler to patent land here, followed by
Joel Plumlee and Charles Ingersoll in 1893.
During this period, building materials needed
for the growing Front Range towns changed from wood to brick and stone.
In fact, Lyons sandstone was quarried on this property.
In 1949, the Heil family purchased the land and
grazed Hereford cattle here. In the 1970s, the family ventured into
tourism and recreation, providing horseback rides, hayrides, and
hunting. In 1996, Boulder County completed the purchase of Heil Valley
Ranch and Hall Ranch, as well as adjacent conservation easements.
Flora and Fauna
The variety of ecosystems, grasslands, shrublands, woodlands, forests
and canyons, support an abundance of wildlife unparalleled in Boulder
County. Abert's squirrels, cottontail rabbits, prairie dogs, marmots, red
and gray foxes, mule deer, bobcats, black bears and mountain lions all
live here. It is also a rich breeding bird habitat.
At the turn of the 20th century, elk were eliminated from Boulder
County. They were reintroduced at Heil Valley Ranch between 1913 and
1917. Heil Valley Ranch is now an important winter range for elk who
migrate from the Indian Peaks Wilderness Area - the only herd along the
Front Range who journey from the Continental Divide to the Plains.
Geology
The geology of the area is dramatic and complex. It is at the junction
where the Great Plains meets the Southern Rocky Mountains. Along the
Lichen Trail, you'll have spectacular views of the upturned sedimentary
rock and lichen-covered boulders that are typical of the fault and
fracture zone of the Boulder County foothills.
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