#Devils backbone loveland co series#

In the Colorado Rocky Mountains this weekend If you like hogbacks, check out the Hogback Trail just north of Boulder and Matthew Winters Park near Golden.One thing we will miss when we move to Puerto Rico is summer in Colorado and the ability to go to the Rocky Mountains in less than one hour from our house in Greeley. There is no shade in this area, so go in the spring or fall when temperatures are reasonable. The trip across the valley was a way to add mileage to this short excursion and did provide some nice views of the surrounding area as well as the backbone itself. We chose to turn around and head up the hill to the top of the escarpment, which is dramatically visible in the distance. The straight part of the Hunter Loop heads towards these houses. You can look, but you can't touch!Ī view of the formation from across the valley This spur was closed when we were there to protect nesting raptors, so don't expect to channel a Cretaceous dinosaur by hugging the rocks themselves. The route keeps you away from the rock formations with the exception of one spur to a hole in the rock. My hiking companion told me that the trails were very different since the last time she had been there. Leaving the Wild Loop and heading across the valley to the escarpment in the distance It was a long drive back down to the Denver Metro Area. Since it was already late afternoon this was a good choice. We walked a little further and then decided to turn around.

The route was rocky and numerous mountain bikers passed us.

Once we gained the top of the escarpment, we could see that the trail just continued on through the Sagebrush. You can see the open space continues on for quite a distance. Trail sign showing our location at the end of the Wild Loop. They grow in sandy soil and Sagebrush communities. Sand or Star Lillies (Leucocrinum montamum) have been common this year. Having walked a short distance in that direction we decided to turn around and take the section heading further up the escarpment. When you reach the junction of the Hunter Loop, the section heading straight travels along the hill side with views of the Mc-Mansions that have been built in the area. This spot is on a small rise between the formations. There is a short spur trail off the upper Wild Loop that takes you to a view point looking west.

#Devils backbone loveland co series#

Just out of frame to the right is a long series of very expensive homes. Looking out into the meadow from the Wild Loop Trail. The area is not well marked and we actually thought we had made it to the Laughing Horse section because there was at least one unmarked loop as you head up the escarpment. There are two loops in the mid-section of the open space, the Hunter Loop and the Laughing Horse Loop. Hikers will end up returning much earlier. That distance is really only suitable for mountain bikers. From there, the trail heads up to the top of an escarpment where it weaves northward seemingly forever until it meets the Rim Rock Open Space. We chose to continue past the end of this loop and across the valley. The Wild Loop (2.6 miles total) is a short hike that will take you close to the formations on one side and further out into the open meadow on the other. There are many ways to enjoy the Devil's Backbone Open Space. Surely a giant mythological creature is going to rear out of the ground at any second. The wonders of geology have taken the flat layers and tilted them upwards so that they rise over 200 feet above the surrounding meadows.įirst view of the formation. You won't get lost in this park.ĭeposited during the time of T-Rex, the rock that is now vertical was actually the shore of an inland sea that covered a portion of what is now the Great Plains of the U.S. The first part of the trail is wide and welcoming. The trailhead has bathrooms, signage and a large parking lot. Colorado is awash in hogbacks and the Devil's backbone is a particularly attractive one. The backbone is a really a hogback in geological parlance, which just means a sharply tilted chunk of rock protruding out of the surrounding landscape. Gazing down at the Devil's Backbone hogback formation from across the valley.ĭevil's Backbone is a unique open space near the town of Loveland Colorado.