Betasso Preserve, Boulder
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Betasso Preserve, Boulder
| type : | hiking |
|---|---|
| : | mountain-biking |
| state : | colorado |
| city : | boulder |
| country : | united-states |
| difficulty : | moderate |
Adventure Tag Name
Betasso Preserve is a hilly meadow in the foothills of Boulder. It has great views of the back of Green Mountain, and views of Boulder and the eastern plans. The primary trail is a loop that offers both mountain biking and hiking. It is a down and up trail.
Summary
| Distance: | 3.4 miles for the loop |
| Difficulty: | Moderate to easy |
| Hike Time: | Hiking: two hours |
| Elevation: | 6600 at the high point, 6190 at low point, down and up trail |
| USGS Maps: | Boulder |
| Directions: | From Boulder Canyon, turn north onto Sugarloaf Road. Go 0.8 miles and turn right at the sign for Batasso Filtration Plant. Go 0.5 miles to the fork, the left fork goes to a picnic area and the trailheads. The right fork goes to Bummers Rock Trailhead. |
Details
The trail loops through the grassy hills and ponderosa pine forest of the former ranch.
Betasso Preserver is both a mountain biking an hiking trail. The primary loop is called the Canyon Loop Trail, that offers a down and up trail. Mountain bikes must go in the direction specified by the signs which is changed monthly. Bummer's Rock Trail is closed to mountain biking. Mountain biking is prohibited on Wednesdays and Saturdays. For mountain bikers, the climb is good, offering about 400 feet in 1.7 miles. Many people will do the loop a couple of times to get in a good workout. The trail is not very technical and is in good shape.
For hikers, the trail is a nice loop that can be completed in a couple of hours. It offers a nice day hike. Along the way, there are great views of the west side of Green Mountain.
The trail on the far side of the hike, can be pretty narrow, should you need to keep a good eye out for hikers if your mountain biking. Hikers have the right of way. The trail is popular with both hikers and mountain bikers, both need to watch for the other. It's also a good family trail, though with the mountain biking, children need to keep an eye out for bikes.
History
The Blanchard family originally homesteaded the area. They sold the ranch to Steve Betasso in 1915. His sons, Ernie and Dick wintered cattle on the ranch. The family raised cattle here until 1976, when Ernie Betasso sold the 712 acres to Boulder County to preserve the land. The park now total 733 acres.
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