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A hidden Broomfield gem, this run has easy-to-navigate trails and great views of the Front Range.


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Map Key

5.8

Miles

9.3

KM

99%

Runnable

5,440' 1,658 m

High

5,228' 1,593 m

Low

292' 89 m

Up

295' 90 m

Down

2%

Avg Grade (1°)

9%

Max Grade (5°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fishing · Lake · Views · Wildlife

Overview

This six-mile rxg is easily accessible from major roads yet boasts unobstructed views of the Front Range and a local lake. Wide gravel paths make this a great choice for walking/hiking, running, or biking. Keep an eye out for wildlife, including prairie dogs all along the trail and eagles at a protected nesting area.

Need to Know

There are no restrooms on the route; the closest are the pit toilets at the Stearns Lake parking lot. There is also no drinking water on the route, and it's quite exposed, so consider bringing your own water.

Description

From Quartz Drive, head to the corner of Quartz and Miramonte and turn right. Cross Wadsworth Parkway (Highway 287) at the light, then turn right and head along the sidewalk for about 200 feet before making a left onto the Lake Link trail, which runs behind some houses. Continue straight on the path down a large hill, avoiding neighborhood access trails on your left. When the trail Ts at the bottom of the hill, turn right and cross the train tracks to enter the Carolyn Holmberg Nature Preserve.

Keep going straight on this trail, passing a small pond on your right, until it Ts, then turn right to follow the Cradleboard Trail. This trail will take you to Stearns Lake; to follow the route, turn right to circle the lake counterclockwise. At this junction you also have the option to turn left and take a short out-and-back to the Stearns Lake parking lot, which has a picnic shelter and pit toilets. After you've gone about a third of the way (counterclockwise) around the lake, the trail will start to curve right away from the lake. Keep an eye out for a brown "trail" arrow sign to keep you on the trail and off farm roads nearby.

Stay on the trail as it passes under Wadsworth Parkway and over a bridge and some more railroad tracks. After the railroad tracks, take the first right to head into the Ruth Roberts Nature Preserve. Follow this gently winding trail uphill, roughly paralleling Wadsworth Parkway, until it Ts into the Lake Link Trail. Turn right onto the Lake Link Trail and follow the main trail, avoiding neighborhood access trails on your left until the trail hits Quartz Drive.

History & Background

After passing Stearns Lake, you'll see a series of signs with information about the area's farming history.

Shared By:

Nick Barendregt with improvements by Jordan G

Trail Ratings

  3.0 from 1 vote

#1

in Broomfield

#5338

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  3.0 from 1 vote
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Photos

Julia Clarson soaking in some fall time golden hour!
Nov 26, 2017 near Broomfield, CO
Heading back to the parking lot, looking west.
Feb 18, 2016 near Broomfield, CO
Stearns Lake as seen from the top of the dam.
Jun 27, 2020 near Broomfield, CO
The eastern shore of Stearns Lake, looking to the west from Mary Miller Trail
May 5, 2015 near Broomfield, CO
View of the front range early on Lake Link trail.
Jun 27, 2020 near Broomfield, CO
Take a moment to learn the history of Rock Creek Farm, now preserved by Boulder County open space.
May 5, 2015 near Broomfield, CO

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Check-Ins

Jan 15, 2022
Jordan G
Nice , soft surface loop considering proximity to suburban Broomfield. 5.5mi — 0h 50m
Jan 29, 2021
Daylene York
5.8mi
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