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Follow a dirt road up to the crest of Niwot Ridge.


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Map Key

6.5

Miles

10.4

KM

82%

Runnable

12,252' 3,734 m

High

9,298' 2,834 m

Low

2,954' 901 m

Up

0' 0 m

Down

9%

Avg Grade (5°)

21%

Max Grade (12°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Views

Need to Know

There is public parking available at the research station, just a short ways up the road. I am not sure about the hours, but it has been open both Sundays I've visited.

Description

Starting from the South Sourdough trailhead, follow the road for the Mountain Research Station up towards Niwot Ridge. Eventually the road ends, but the trail continues on up to the end of the Research Station outposts. You can return the way you came (13 miles, roughly), or take the Niwot Ridge Spur Trail up to Brainard Lake and the South Sourdough (#835) Trail back to where you started, for a 20-mile day.

Contacts

Shared By:

Michael Reschly with improvements by Jordan G

Trail Ratings

  3.7 from 9 votes

#3

in Nederland

#12114

Overall
  3.7 from 9 votes
5 Star
11%
4 Star
67%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
22%
1 Star
0%
Trail Rankings

#3

in Nederland

#1,060

in Colorado

#12,114

Overall
15 Views Last Month
5,408 Since Sep 15, 2017
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult

0%
0%
45%
36%
18%
0%

Photos

Video with commentary of Niwot Ridge Spur Trail and Niwot Ridge.
Aug 12, 2022 near Nederland, CO
At western end of Niwot Ridge Trail.
Aug 12, 2022 near Nederland, CO
Our only marmot seen.
Aug 12, 2022 near Nederland, CO
Clyde Inman and Larry W Jones. Aug 10, 2022.
Aug 12, 2022 near Nederland, CO
Three of the 5 Green Lakes.
Aug 12, 2022 near Nederland, CO
Albion Lake and two of the five Green Lakes.
Aug 12, 2022 near Nederland, CO

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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 92 days ago
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Check-Ins

Aug 18, 2024
Jordan G
Looped Sourdough -->Brainard Lake-->Niwot Spur-->Niwot for a nice extension and downhill finish. 19.3mi — 4h 20m
Aug 15, 2023
Trevor Edie
The road is in good condition. But it is still a road. 12mi — 3h 30m
Aug 7, 2023
Jordan G
cool & misty day; clouds whipped across the summit. 12.5mi — 3h 15m
Sep 7, 2018
Kat trail_kat
Aug 25, 2018
Kat trailkat
12.4mi
Apr 7, 2018
Wendy Fife Zuck
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