Near Horseshoe-Hippo-Hay Loop
They just reworked the singletrack portion of this trail this past summer, can you spot the border collie?
Near Horseshoe-Hippo-Hay Loop
Coming past the Hay Trail junction, continuing on to the back ranch before climbing up Soda Ridge Trail.
Near Horseshoe-Hippo-Hay Loop
Soda Creek Trail - Back Ranch, Keystone
Near Horseshoe-Hippo-Hay Loop
Old homestead in the Soda Creek meadow
Near Horseshoe-Hippo-Hay Loop
This area feels sort of eerie running through all the beetle kill.

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Driving Directions
Hike Route

Horseshoe-Hippo-Hay Loop

4.0 (1 Rating)
Nice loop through forest and fields with a downhill finish.
6.9
mi
Distance
824
ft
Gain
moderate
Difficulty

Route Details

Flatter
Steeper
6.86mi
Distance
824ft
Elevation Gain
824ft
Elevation Loss
35%
Max Grade
9,785ft
High Point
9,267ft
Low Point
Path Type
Loop
Description
Start up from the parking lot on the Horseshoe Trail. After hiking over the rocky start and up the hill, take your first left onto the Colorado Trail towards Gold Hill. Climb up the path through the woods. Stay straight at the Blair Witch turnoff and continue through the trees until you see a right turn off the Colorado and onto the Hippo Trail. Follow the Hippo Trail through the woods, down a delightfully nice decline. When the trail opens up you'll continue downhill along the Soda Creek trail to your right. Stay on Soda Creek past Horseshoe Trail. Your next right will be Hay Trail, you'll see the Soda Creek Homestead off in the distance. Turn right onto the Hay Trail (or for more mileage and climbing continue past the homestead to the Red Trail). After a short and manageable singletrack climb you'll see a little log structure to your left where the Blair Witch connects. Head straight back downhill on the Horseshoe Trail down to the car.

Route Conditions

Report Conditions
Anonymous Adventurer
All Clear
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Contributors
M Mo