Meyer Ranch

Trail Difficulty: Moderate. Slight gradual incline on a well maintained trail. Some sections have loose rock.

Trail Length:
2.7 mile (1 hour loop).

Trail Description:
From the parking lot take the Owl’s Perch trail until you get to the Lodge Pole Loop trail, go left on Lodge Pole, go left on the Sunny Aspen Trail and then left on Old Ski Run trail – this loop will take you up and around the top of the mountain and back down again. This series of trails begin in the grassy meadow, through pine forest and Aspen trees, up to glimpses of the Rocky Mountains and back down to the meadow and the parking area near Hwy 285. Wildflowers bloom in the meadow throughout the summer and the trees provide a pleasant shady hike. Look for the yellow Heart Shaped Arnica flower that grows alongside the trail in the forested section. If you want a good clear view of the mountains to the west, you can climb the rock outcrop at the top or just stop and admire the site from one of the lookout areas. This is a beautiful day hike area in lush green valley that was once ranchland.

Restrooms available at trailhead.

Picnic Recommendations:
There is a rock cropping at the top of the loop (it is a few yards off the trail, but it offers a great view through the trees). Another scenic picnic area is about 1 ½ mile up the trail where there is a picnic pavilion overlooking the valley below and the hills across the valley.

Travel time:
From the junction of C-470 and Hwy 285 (Hampden): Approximately 20-25 minutes.

How to get there:
Take Hwy 285 south about 12.5 miles. Turn left onto South Turkey Creek Rd. (just before you reach the town of Aspen Park) then an immediate right into the parking lot of Meyer Ranch Park.

Special attractions:
There is a very unique restaurant in Aspen Park (.5 miles further on Hwy 285) called Coney Island. The building is shaped like a hot dog with all the fixin’s and your kids will really get a kick out of it. They have hot dogs, ice cream and other similar items.