Lion's Loop

Dogs Unknown

Features River/Creek · Views

Lion's Loop begins on Mary's Loop, just north of Steve's Loop. The trail is characterized by two distinct sections: the eastern 2 miles combining a historic stock road and the northern and western 2-3/4 mile dirt road climb over Mack Ridge to Hawkeye Road.

Lion's Loop is most often used to create loop options with Troy Built or Mack Ridge trails.

From Mary's Loop, begin a steep, loose 1/4 mile climb along an old stock road. The road has reverted to singletrack for the most part, and it can be a bit rutted at times. Lion's Loop then mellows, traveling along this old route. At 2/3 miles, pass a viewpoint on the left side of the trail overlooking Steve's Loop and the Colorado River.

After about a mile, the trail becomes less recognizable as doubletrack, and more singletrack in style. And after exiting the singletrack, Lion's Loop quickly intersects another stock road at a switchback in the road. Lion's Loop and the Kokopelli Trail continue right (north), uphill. Downhill, the stock road descends 2 miles to the Colorado River.

Climb the steep doubletrack, passing a junction with Troy Built and Mack Ridge after 0.4 miles (at this point Kokopelli Trail diverges from Lion's Loop onto Troy Built).The road continues to climb steeply for another 0.6 miles before a right-hand bend after which the Mack Ridge Connector doubletrack takes off on the right. Runners wishing to bypass the newer Mack Ridge singletrack can climb the connector doubletrack to access Mack Ridge.

Continue straight through this intersection, and after another 0.6 miles across a high terrace to the high point of the road, the trail passes two more doubletrack connector roads to Mack Ridge on the right. Lion's Loop then descends steeply down the doubletrack for 1-1/4 miles to Hawkeye Road.