Shadow Pine Loop

Dogs Leashed

Features Fall Colors · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Starting from the parking area off of Shadow Mountain Drive, the trail heads out through an open meadow. The first part of the trail climbs gradually, rolling along the hillside and crossing a marshy section with a bridge. Keep an eye open for deer and elk that like to hang out in the meadow here.

Just over half a mile in, you'll come to a junction, take a left for a steady and increasingly challenging climb through pines and aspens. The grade is never too steep, but there are enough rocks and roots in this section to keep you on your toes.

The northern portion of the loop heads through some small, scenic meadows and crosses several streams - some you can easily hop and others you'll want to use the log bridges to keep your feet from getting wet. Once the trail cuts back to the southwest, you can enjoy the downhill all the way back to your car.

There are a couple sections where a dirt fire road crosses the trail - just keep your eye open for the re-entry to the Pine Shadow Loop - this trail is almost all singletrack so if you end up on a wide, dirt road, you have gone the wrong way.

Deer, elk, and plenty of birds along the way. Wildflowers in season, and predominantly ponderosa pine interspersed with aspen near the meadows and spruce along the creeks.