Grazing Elk Trail

This is an easy and enjoyable loop through a meadow which sits slightly above the rest of the valley, affording great views along the trail of the surrounding foothills and red rock formations. The elevation change is long and gradual adding a slight challenge to the first half of the loop until the decline begins. As the name alludes to, there are plenty of opportunities for elk and deer sightings since the wide open meadows are a favorite place of theirs. Go early in the morning or at dusk, and you're likely to run into them before they hop out of the way off the trail. The hike begins where the Grazing Elk Trail intersects Valley Rd on its southern side. The nearest parking lot is just east of the Valley Rd and Deer Creek Canyon Rd intersection located at approximately 39.551164" N, -105.139235" W. From there you may reach the start by heading west on Deer Creek Canyon Rd and taking a right onto Valley Rd using the small shoulder until you reach the trail crosswalk. Otherwise, you can also choose the more scenic (and probably safer) route taking the Coyote Song Trail from the parking lot keeping left onto the Swallow Trail and finally reaching the Grazing Elk Trail which takes you to the Valley Rd crosswalk where the ruoute begins. The latter route to the hike start from the parking lot is about 1 mile - a nice extension to your hike or a great warm up/ cool down through the valley's red rocks.