Mary Miller Trail

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Lake · River/Creek · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Not much shade in this dry, open area. Very good smooth trail surface.

The Mary Miller Trail can be done in either direction and makes for a pleasant mellow run close to town. Leashed dogs, bikes and equestrians are allowed on this trail.

Starting from the Stearns Lake Trailhead off 104th Street, head east on the wide crushed gravel path. This trail follows the southern shore of pretty Stearns Lake. Before long, you'll reach a junction with the Cradleboard Trail which departs to the south. Stay on the Mary Miller Trail and at the next fork choose either the trail next to the marshy shore or the wider one just a bit further from the water. These trails rejoin at the east side of the lake. Keep an eye out for birds at the lake, anglers also try their luck here.

Enjoy the views across the lake towards the foothills. The trail soon leaves the lake and crosses some farm roads to parallel a fence line. Pass through pasture and grassy fields, being sure to greet the hordes of prairie dogs who make this area their home. The Mary Miller Trail ends at an underpass for Highway 287 where it connects to the southern end of the Dry Creek Trail.

Historical factoid: this trail was named after a homesteading pioneer Mary Miller who farmed with her family near here. Mary Miller established the town of Lafayette, CO in 1888, naming it for her husband who died 10 years previously. The Carolyn Holmberg Preserve was named after this former Boulder County open space director who promoted the acquisition of this part of the Rock Creek Farm for many years until it was finally purchased in 1980-1982. After her death in 1998, the property was rededicated to include Carolyn Holmberg's name. Holmberg is credited with preserving 40,000 acres of land in Boulder County from development.

Grebes, heron, waterfowl, owl, magpies, kingfishers, muskrat, prairie dogs.