Near Lac Amora-Ruth Roberts Loop
Julia Clarson soaking in some fall time golden hour!
Near Lac Amora-Ruth Roberts Loop
Heading back to the parking lot, looking west.
Near Lac Amora-Ruth Roberts Loop
The eastern shore of Stearns Lake, looking to the west from Mary Miller Trail
Near Lac Amora-Ruth Roberts Loop
Stearns Lake as seen from the top of the dam.
Near Lac Amora-Ruth Roberts Loop
View of the front range early on Lake Link trail.

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Driving Directions
Hike Route

Lac Amora-Ruth Roberts Loop

4.0 (2 Ratings)
A hidden Broomfield gem, this hike has easy-to-navigate trails and great views of the Front Range.
5.6
mi
Distance
237
ft
Gain
moderate
Difficulty
BirdingFishingLakeViewsWildlife

Route Details

Flatter
Steeper
5.57mi
Distance
237ft
Elevation Gain
237ft
Elevation Loss
25%
Max Grade
5,444ft
High Point
5,225ft
Low Point
Path Type
Loop
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.

Route Conditions

Report Conditions
No Condition Reports
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Contributors
Nick Barendregt